The Hollywoodbets Dolphins begin an intense phase of their CSA T20 Challenge campaign when they play six matches in twelve days, starting with a showdown with the Warriors at Kingsmead on Wednesday evening followed by a match with the Multiply Titans in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
Two points from their rained out game against the Titans was all that the Dolphins came home with but being back at home in familiar surroundings will be the boost they need.
Coach Grant Morgan believes that the competition can turn 180 degrees in no time and given the recent results there is a lot that can change in a short period of time.
“The nature of the tournament at this time of year is that is can be unpredictable,” Morgan said.
“Playing this late in the season means that the guys have played a lot of cricket. Don’t get me wrong there is still the excitement, but weather patterns are changing and lots of matches back-to-back making it a tough competition.
“The teams that can deal with those situations and also getting selection patterns right will be the successful teams during the tournament.”
The Dolphins went into the competition with an enlarged training squad and they have a number of players to call on should the workload become an issue.
“With these quick turnarounds the bowlers do have the opportunity to rest a bit more, should they need to.
“We have a large, functional squad to choose from with a busy run-in to the end of the pool phase of the tournament,” the coach added.
The Dolphins have been without the services of Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo for the first part of the T20 Challenge but Morgan hopes that the influential star will be available for the rest of the campaign.
“It’s a pity we haven’t had Andile so far because he is a three-in-one cricketer and has been in great form.
“We are quite confident that he will be right to come back into the side.”
With a strong bowling line-up that has got the Dolphins into good positions they will be hoping that their batsmen can back that up in their final six games of the competition.
Currently, Prenelan Subrayen is tied for third with five wickets so far in the competition, at an impressive economy rate of 5.25 runs per over.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins face the Warriors at Kingsmead on Wednesday. The first ball will be bowled at 18:00.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v Warriors
Sarel Erwee, Morne Van Wyk, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo (c), Marques Ackerman, Andile Phehlukwayo, Robert Frylinck, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen, Daryn Dupavillon, Sibonelo Makhanya.
For more information visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za.
