After their seven-wicket win over the Warriors secured a home final in the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series against the Momentum Multiply Titans at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium this week, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins have entrenched their reputation as one of the most consistent franchises in the country by reaching the finals of all three formats of the domestic calendar.
The Dolphins have enjoyed a remarkable season that started with sharing the Momentum One Day Cup with the Imperial Lions after the final was rained out and then they made the final of the Betway T20 Challenge before securing the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series decider to complete the clean sweep of finals.
Knowing that a win over the Warriors would give them a good chance of qualification, the Dolphins needed the VKB Knights to either lose or draw against the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras. With the Cobras producing a win and the Dolphins winning at St George’s Park it meant that the Dolphins went to the top of Pool A.
“The level of performances the boys have put out across the season and through all three competitions has been brilliant,” coach Imraan Khan said. “The players deserve all the credit because it’s been good to watch and it’s great to see all the hard work that they have put in is being rewarded.
Khan and his side have followed a simple blueprint throughout the season which has proven to be successful as the Dolphins have won four of their 4-Day Series matches, tied with the Knights on the most wins, and this won’t change going into the final.
“We took a few days off after the Warriors game to rest and recover but we’re back at it, focusing on our processes.
“Playing at home means that we should have a good understanding of the conditions. We have to play a good five days of cricket because the Titans are a very competitive side but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
The match will be over five days and not the traditional four days that domestic first-class cricket usually runs for. This is another challenge in itself for players that are not familiar with playing five days of cricket.
“Fortunately we have a few guys in the squad that have test experience so they will pass that on to the group.
“I still don’t think much changes to be honest and we just want to play good, solid cricket and stick to the basics for as long as possible.
“And the team that does that the best, certainly in the first few days of the contest, will be the team that is probably in a good position for the remainder of the match,” Khan added.
