In the second domestic T20 competition of the season, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will be hoping to go one better than their runner-up spot when they start the CSA T20 Challenge in Gqeberha.
The Dolphins will go into the T20 competition looking to claim the overall title after they were beaten in the CSA T20 Knock-out final by the Itec Knights in October.
This competition will only feature the Division 1 teams with the eight top sides in the country fighting it out for the crown in a high-intensity domestic competition that runs from Monday, 7 February with the final scheduled for Sunday, 27 February.
The Dolphins will face the Knights in their opener and will need to get into T20 mode quickly, something that coach Imraan Khan won’t see as an issue.
“From a skills perspective I don’t see the change as too much of an issue,” Khan said, “It’s really just about covering the T20 specific skills now in the lead up to the tournament.
“Skills such as death bowling and power hitting and those sorts of things but the boys are always keen for white-ball cricket and the training that comes with a white ball tournament.
“In terms of being prepared, I think that we will be fine.”
Heading to Nelson Mandela Bay for the competition means that conditions will be different from the ones faced in Kimberley and Bloemfontein for the T20 Knock-out but Khan expects good cricket conditions.
“The conditions will be quite good upfront in the beginnings of the competition and will probably wear down as the tournament goes on.
“We will have to cover the various scenarios in our preparation and lead-up to the competition and I think spin play will be quite important as it does in any white-ball competition.
“So we will have to adapt but I think there will be good batting conditions to start,” Khan added.
With a game almost every two days the tournament will be intense from the outset and Khan understands the importance of a good start.
“In any competition, you want to start well and as a team, I think we have been able to do that in the last few white ball competitions.
“It’s important starting well but if it doesn’t happen that way I think it’s still important that we maintain our processes and believe in those processes.”
The Dolphins start their campaign against the side they met in the last final, the Itec Knights, in the afternoon match on Tuesday 9 February.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins CSA T20 Challenge squad:
Prenelan Subrayen, Dave Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keegan Petersen, Marques Ackerman, Thando Ntini, Daryn Dupavillon, Khaya Zondo, Grant Roelofsen, Kerwin Mungroo, Eathan Bosch, Odirile Modimokane, Jason Smith, Ruan de Swardt, Bryce Parsons, Ottniel Baartman.
