The Hollywoodbets Dolphins head into their quarter-final of the CSA T20 Knock Out Competition against the Warriors at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday brimming with confidence following a full-house of wins in the group phase.
The men from Durban notched up three wins and two bonus point triumphs in their group and weren’t reliant on just one performer as bowlers and batsmen contributed throughout, showing the depth of the squad.
Unfortunately, they will be without skipper Prenelan Subrayen who picked up an ankle injury in their victory over the SA Under 19 side on the final day of the group phase.
The Dolphins will also be without wicket-keeper batsman Grant Roelofsen who will miss the remainder of the competition with a groin injury.
One of the Dolphins assistant coach’s Quinton Friend understands that the Warriors side will pose a significant threat to their charge to the semi-final with a number of high profile players in their set-up.
“It’s a very good team and their top three is massive with Breetzke, Lubbe and Jon-Jon Smuts,” Friend said.
“They are free-scoring players as well so the key thing for us is that we back our skills and make sure that we are confident in the things that we have worked on.
“The Warriors are a team that look to dominate that powerplay so the first six overs are going to be crucial.
“We will need to make some important decisions going into the powerplay but we know that these are the things that we are going to have to really think about going into this quarter-final.”
Friend knows the importance of being at the top of their game going into this encounter given the significance of the fixture and the do-or-die scenario ahead of them.
“We understand the importance of playing forty great overs of cricket and if we aren’t at the top of our game we know the Warriors will be right there.
“It’s always an honour for players and coaches to be in this position and we know that we have done the hard yards in training heading into this fixture,” he added.
The Dolphins have decided to not add any new players to the squad with Keegan Petersen set to take the wicket-keeping gloves from the injured Roelofsen while the Dolphins red ball captain Marques Ackerman will lead the side.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad:
Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Marques Ackerman (captain), Khaya Zondo, Ruan de Swardt, Bradley Porteous, Odirile Modimokwane, Jason Smith, Thando Ntini, Thamsanqa Khumalo, Darryn Dupavillon, Kerwin Mungroo, Ottniel Baartman, Bryce Parsons.
