The Hollywoodbets Dolphins see their final Sunfoil Series clash as an opportunity to try and pull off an eleventh hour title charge, when they tackle fellow title-chasing Warriors at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead from Thursday to Sunday this week.
In a season that has seen the Durban franchise reach both white ball competition finals, the four-day campaign has been a frustrating one for the Dolphins who have only managed to collect one win out of their nine games so far which has included seven draws and a single loss.
Frustratingly for the men from Durban they have been unable to take control of matches in the early stages which has ultimately resulted in the loss of many crucial first innings points.
Having to play catch up has been a common thread throughout their 2017/18 first class campaign, but the fight that the side has shown to claw their way out of tough situations has been a trademark of Grant Morgan’s men.
“We know that going into this weekend that there is still a mathematical chance for us to win the competition and we might have to play the game through the internet from day one,” Grant Morgan said.
“If we are batting first then we are going to have to see how the other games are going and once the dust is settled we will play another game in the second innings.”
The Dolphins have not lost to the Warriors in the four-day competition this season with their only win this season coming against the men from the Eastern Cape. Morgan understands the importance of beating the Warriors but is more concerned about how his side are going to attempt to go about that.
“Do we just worry about beating the Warriors, or do we go for gold?
“There might come a time where we are going to have to settle, but if we want to go for the unlikely then we are going to have to adjust. I am quite happy for us to finish fourth or fifth having had a go at trying to win the competition.
“Are we willing to risk our position to try and be the best side in South Africa by winning another trophy? I say yes, but we can’t be stupid.
“This weekend is a very complex thing,” the wary Morgan added.
The draw against the bizhub Highveld Lions came about after weather played a decisive role on Sunday afternoon with the Dolphins chasing a likely victory. Positively for Morgan, some of the young players stepped up and put in strong performances at the Wanderers.
“I asked Dane (Vilas) to do me a favour and open the batting and look what he did [scoring 128], and Calvin Savage was also brilliant.
“Bar some poor fielding on the final morning and a slight batting collapse in the first innings it was very exciting,” he continued.
“We had that game under control and lost wickets because we knew that the rain was coming. It might sound wrong but they had six guys on the boundary and were trying to slow it up and we were trying to beat the rain.”
There is never a lack of focus for Morgan’s players and with the off-season approaching he wants his players to continue to seek out improvement and push for the a spot at the top of domestic cricket in South Africa.
“The greatest test of man comes right here at the end of the season.
“Every day you are competing gives you an opportunity to try and get better, so why do you want it to end?
“We’ve got a chance to be the best team in South Africa, surely that is enough motivation?
“There are so many areas were players and the team can improve so there is still a huge amount to play for,” a focused Morgan added.
The Dolphins will welcome back Andile Phehlukwayo into their squad for this final Sunfoil Series clash.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad:
Dane Vilas, Sarel Erwee, Vaughn Van Jaarsveld, Senuran Muthusamy, Khaya Zondo, Sibonelo Makhanya, Jason Oakes, Calvin Savage, Prenelan Subrayen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Eathan Bosch, Okuhle Cele, Kerwin Mungroo.
For more information visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za.
