Durban – Following a strong start to 2020 in the 4-Day Series, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will swap their white kit for coloured gear as they target another successful Momentum One Day Cup campaign that starts with an outing against the VKB Knights at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Saturday.
Photo Copyright: Steve Haag Sports
With two wins and a draw from their three 4-Day Domestic Series matches in 2020 the Dolphins have renewed confidence, which will be further boosted as they welcome back a number of their superstars for the white ball competition.
Rob Frylinck, who was instrumental in the Khulna Tigers reaching the recent Bangladesh Premier League final, returns to the Dolphins mix, along with the country’s most prolific limited overs spinner Imran Tahir.
“We have got Imran’s services for the first three games of the competition and that is huge for us,” coach Imraan Khan said.
“There are a number of experienced players coming back into the mix and they bring back some good energy into the squad and are very much looking forward to contributing to the cause this campaign.
“With the likes of young batters Marques Ackerman and Grant Roelofsen, who have led our batting line up this season, I think we have a good mix and we are excited to get going this weekend.”
Amongst the players back in the mix is Keshav Maharaj, who will also take over the captaincy of the side, and with such a strong connection to cricket in the province, he is proud to lead the side officially in the One Day Cup.
“I have always tried to captain every side that I play in and to lead the Dolphins is an honour for me,” the Standard Bank Proteas spinner said.
“We have always done well in white ball cricket and I think that it is a case of one big personal performance winning you a game.
“If you have someone in the team who gets 130 or 140 or takes four for thirty you will invariably win the game and we have had players through the years that have been able to do that.
“I think the boys also like playing in front of the TV cameras,” he quipped.
The Knights will provide a first test for the Dolphins this weekend and coach Khan knows that they are always a tough side to beat in any competition.
“They base their game around their captain Pite van Biljoen and he has been a solid performer for them for a number of seasons but they have some other really good players with the likes of Rhynardt van Tonder in fantastic form.
“They will be a difficult side to beat but I think we have prepared well for this one and the first game of a competition is always exciting so the boys are ready for it,” Khan mentioned.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Momentum One Day Cup squad:
Sarel Erwee, Grant Roelofsen, Khaya Zondo, Sibz Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Marques Ackerman, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Keshav Maharaj (captain), Prenelan Subrayen, Imran Tahir, Rob Frylink, Daryn Dupavillon, Okuhle Cele, Kerwin Mungroo, Keith Dudgeon.
Tickets to both the Momentum One Day Cup are available at www.ticketpros.co.za.
For more information visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za.
