We preview the Hollywoodbets Dolphins clash against the WSB Cape Cobras to take place at SuperSport Park Centurion on 12 November.
Cricket fans are in for an absolute treat this Sunday as the Ram Slam T20 Challenge dishes out its first double-dose of action with four teams in action at SuperSport Park Centurion.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins and the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras open things up in Pretoria with a tasty Coastal Derby – let’s take a look at the two teams.
Cape Cobras vs Dolphins | Sunday 12 November | SuperSport Park Centurion | 11:00
To Win Match
Cape Cobras 72/100 | Tie 35/1 | Dolphins 23/20
WSB Cape Cobras
The WSB Cape Cobras will head into this game as favourites, and you can hardly blame the bookies. They have a wealth of Protea stalwarts to pick from, including the likes of Vernon Philander, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Temba Bavuma.
Running through their possible line-up for Sunday, Richard Levi and Amla look to be almost the perfect combination of fire and ice at the top of the order. The former will no doubt look to attack from the outset while the more conservative Amla will want to anchor the innings and push toward three figures.
Amla, of course, was excellent in this season’s IPL where he bagged 420 runs in 10 matches at an average of 60 for the Kings XI Punjab. Ashwell Prince will expect more of the same from the former Dolphins man against what one could call weaker bowling attacks.
Duminy will also play a big role this season, he remains – in my opinion at least – a very good T20 cricketer and should thrive with the bat at this level. Dane Paterson will spearhead an attack that strikes an excellent balance between youth and experience with the likes of Lizaad Williams, George Linde and Tshepo Moreki set to learn a great deal from the likes of Philander and Dane Piedt.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins have far fewer stars as it were, however, they do boast a solid group of players who all have proven track records across the domestic scene for a number of years. Add to this a sprinkling of top Proteas and you have team that could go all the way this season.
The key for the Dolphins will be how well the top and middle order operate. Sarel Erwee is in the form of his life while we all know exactly what Morne van Wyk and Vaughn van Jaarsveld are capable of.
If these guys can lay the foundation, it’ll allow Khaya Zondo, Dane Villas, Andile Phelukwayo and Robbie Frylinck to pile on the runs in the middle and latter stages of the innings. Building big totals will be key during this tournament, especially at batsman-friendly grounds like the Wanderers and SuperSport Park Centurion.
Bowling wise, the Dolphins are stocked to the brim with quality spinners and medium pacers. Phelukwayo and Frylinck are always difficult to get away while Keshav Maharaj and Imran Tahir represent arguably the best spin duo in the competition. Sibonelo Makhanya and Prenelan Subrayen also represent excellent spin options at this level, and are tipped to contribute whenever called upon.
Verdict: Hollywoodbets Dolphins 23/20
This Dolphins were never really hit very hard by national team call-ups. Most of the guys have played plenty of four-day cricket together this year and will know exactly what’s expected of one another. An explosive top and middle order, as well as an economical bowling attack should see the KZN franchise claim the win.
