Dolphins excited to get season underway

The Dolphins lost in the final of last season’s CSA T20 Challenge and will be hoping to go one better this season, however with North West, Easterns and the South African Under 19 side in the group it’s going to be a demanding three days of cricket this weekend.

Bloemfontein’s Mangaung Oval has already played host to a round of group matches so the Dolphins have been able to see what the Free State ground will offer. Coach of the Dolphins Imraan Khan is expecting some good T20 conditions in the Free State capital.

“Last week it looked like a good deck, if anything it was a touch slow in the morning but it looked like a really nice surface for T20 cricket,” Khan said.

“It’s a massive ground so I think par scores will be around 150 and 160 but I think it’s going to be a good weekend of cricket.

“I do suspect that as the weekend goes on it might take a little bit more spin than what is expected in Bloemfontein but generally it looks really good so we suspect that there will be good conditions.”

Going into the competition the Dolphins will be taking a squad of sixteen players to Bloemfontein which means that there are a few players outside of their contracted group that could be in line for senior debuts.

“Unfortunately for us Eathan (Bosch) and Lifa (Ntanzi) have missed out on the tour and we’ve got Trevor (Odirile) Modimokwane, who is a left-arm spinner with us and Brad Porteous, who did good work for Coastal last season, is also with us.

“Trevor joins us from North-West and he’s played SA Under 19 and we believe there is some really good potential there going into this competition,” Khan commented.

The Dolphins off-season signings Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith and Thando Ntini are all in line for Dolphins debuts this week and with the experience of Prenelan Subrayen leading the side Khan believes that all the new faces will slot into the starting eleven easily.

“Our environment is in a good space at the moment and the boys are enjoying each other’s company and there’s been some good banter around the group.

“The vibe in the squad is good at the moment and as we said there is good experience in the squad with some exciting and talented youngsters.” Khan added.

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins face the North-West Dragons in their competition opener followed by Easterns on Saturday and finally the SA Under 19 side on Sunday.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad:

Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Grant Roelofsen, Marques Ackerman, Khaya Zondo, Ruan de Swardt, Bradley Porteous, Odirile Modimokwane, Jason Smith, Thando Ntini, Thamsanqa Khumalo, Darryn Dupavilion, Kerwin Mungroo, Ottniel Baartman, Prenelan Subrayen (captain), Bryce Parsons.