Durban – As the new domestic cricket season approaches, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and their coaching staff have stepped up their pre-season preparation ahead of another exciting season of cricket.
The Dolphins had another memorable season in 2022/23 with a CSA 4-Day Domestic Series trophy and a CSA T20 Challenge runner-up’s medal to show for it, but the ambitions of the team are to build on their successes this coming season.
Head coach Imraan Khan recently completed his CSA Level-4 Coaching Qualification and both assistant coaches Quinton Friend and Mduduzi Mbatha are in the process of achieving theirs.
Heading into the new season the Dolphins coaching staff regroup again and for Mbatha he feels that their relationship as a coaching unit continues to thrive.
“For us as a coaching staff it’s been really important that we build open and transparent relationships,” Mbatha said.
“As a coaching unit we share ideas on training and plans away from our regular coaching time, that’s where the ideas pop up for me and we can discuss these further.
“The openness and the honesty that we have amongst each other is what I really enjoy. I feel that all three of us have our own perspective which helps us to build on each other’s ideas and bring out the best in one another.
With the new season approaching, the Dolphins have made a conscious effort to focus on a specific format in the lead-up to the season and for Mbatha he believes that it’s the right way to approach the new campaign.
“We hit the ground running with skills specific stuff because as a coaching staff we realised that there was a format that we have struggled with, and the season starts with One Day Cup so we decided to concentrate on that and nail down our 50 over skills.
”We have been working on those skills and getting guys to explore options in upskilling themselves to be ready for that format.
Looking at what the Dolphins have been concentrating on, Mbatha is open about where they need to improve.
“We’ve been looking closely at our batting in 50 over cricket because you need to bat for a long period of time and our batting hasn’t been the best.
“It’s important that we know when to go in all guns blazing and when to occupy the crease.
“The middle period in 50 over cricket is very important and that sets you up for the back end when you are batting so we have focused a lot on that.
“We’re looking forward to another exciting season where the players can showcase their skills and we can fight hard for three trophies once again.”
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins and Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium will be hoping to build momentum off the back of the upcoming KFC T20 International Series between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead Stadium starting on 30 August.
Tickets for the three KFC T20 Internationals are selling fast and can be purchased through ticketpros.co.za or alternatively you can book through the KZN Cricket WhatsApp line 064 915 5432.
