Dolphins confident going into T20 Challenge

The Dolphins take on WSB Western Province in their opening match at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Friday evening, a tough start to an extended competition.

The T20 Challenge will follow a double round with teams facing each other home and away. This extended tournament is intended to give players plenty of T20 cricket before the ICC T20 World Cup. It is an exciting add on for fans who have been starved from Domestic T20 cricket with the tournament being played in one venue for the last three seasons.

It's going to be an exciting start for the Dolphins at home against a strong Western Province side. Captain Keshav Maharaj believes that the Dolphins have covered all their bases.

"We have a very strong squad for this competition," Maharaj said. "We've had strong squads in the past, but this one is probably the strongest.

"The SA20 has given a lot of players exposure, it also helped in increasing skill levels and cricket awareness, so players have been upskilled through the tournament.

"It's exciting to have someone like Tristan Luus who we've been monitoring for the last two years, and we've finally got him on board at the Dolphins.

"This is a reward for the hard work he put in for the SA Under 19 side where he bowled really nicely and whacked it a bit so it's great to have that extra depth in the squad."

Returning to the Dolphins is always a moment that Maharaj looks forward to and he's looking forward to wearing the Dolphins shirt again.

"I always find a sense of calm when I come back to the Dolphins because I feel like this is my safe place and home for me.

"I'm still driven to win trophies with the Dolphins and that still motivates me a lot. I want to win trophies for the Dolphins and obviously it hasn't been a great season from that perspective, but it would be fitting to end the season with another trophy.

"But it's not about focusing on the trophies. It's about focusing on the processes and winning the games that get you to those trophies," he added.

Returning to Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium give Maharaj a chance to improve himself, but also help other players.

"I find playing for the Dolphins a perfect platform for me to hone my skills.

"It's a privilege to be able to pass on my knowledge to the next generation but also to learn from the guys that have been here for a long time."

With the likes of Maharaj, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Prenelan Subrayen, SJ Erwee and Ottniel Baartman in the Dolphins squad they will be confident that they can get off to a good start this Friday against WSB Western Province at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins CSA T20 Challenge Squad:

Keshav Maharaj (c), Grant Roelofsen, Bryce Parsons, Eathan Bosch, Khaya Zondo, Marques Ackerman, Jon-Jon Smuts, Brad Porteous, Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen, Ottniel Baartman, Okuhle Cele, Daryn Dupavillon, Tristan Luus, Odirile Modimokoane, Tshepang Dithole, SJ Erwee.