Following a resounding victory in the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series match against the bizhub Highveld Lions to end 2018, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will be in search of a similar performance when they tackle the same opposition at Kingsmead starting on Friday, 4 January.
It was the strongest performance the Dolphins have put together so far this season and was their first victory in the red ball campaign.
Captain Khaya Zondo led from the front with the bat with a dogged first innings ton and a young, spritely bowling attack backed up the efforts of Zondo and the other batsmen.
Having had a few days off following their victory in Johannesburg, the Dolphins have prepared well and are hoping that they can replicate the performance that they put in two weeks ago against the Lions.
“We need guys to continue to take ownership of their batting role,” coach Grant Morgan said. “Once we get that right more often, like we did in Joburg, and get scores of over 300 then our bowling attack will help us win more games than we will lose.
“I think we might have got the Lions in a bit of a hangover period with a number of their guys involved in the Jozi Stars and we won’t get that this time around.”
The Dolphins will be without the services of Keshav Maharaj, who is with the national team, and Rob Frylinck, who is busy in the Bangladesh Premier League, however they will welcome back Senuran Muthusamy from injury.
“On record over the past few seasons, despite the importance of his batting, we’ve seen that Senuran has taken a lot of wickets.
“We can’t talk enough about the value of Senuran in the squad as a true spinning all-rounder,” Morgan stressed.
The Dolphins sit fifth on the 4-Day Franchise Series log going into their clash with the Lions, who occupy second, and another win could help the Durban side make strong inroads into the heart of the log.
The Dolphins have added young Marques Ackerman to the squad. The youngster performed well to get a hundred against the touring Pakistan side and could be in line for a Dolphins debut.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v bizhub Highveld Lions squad
Sarel Erwee, Vaughn Van Jaarsveld, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo (captain), Senuran Muthusamy, Sibonelo Makanya, Andile Phehlukwayo, Grant Roelofsen, Eathan Bosch, Keith Dudgeon, Kerwin Mungroo, Prenelan Subrayen, Marques Ackerman.
