Wins are key for finals chasing Dolphins
With two matches remaining in the CSA 4-Day
Domestic Series, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will be chasing victories when they
begin their charge for the final this week against the North West Dragons at
the JB Marks Oval starting on Wednesday.
With four draws and a victory from their five matches so far this season, it’s been far from disappointing for the defending champions, but they will be eager to reignite that killer instinct when they head to the Highveld this week.
Despite having several players that featured in the recently concluded SA20, the Dolphins will have the bulk of their squad available for this week’s clash apart from SA20 Bowler of the Tournament Ottniel Baartman – who is being given a rest.
With many players returning from their various franchises the Dolphins will be eager to start well against the Dragons who will be missing a few players due to Proteas duty in New Zealand.
Preparations for this return to red ball cricket have gone as well as they could according to Dolphins assistant coach Quinton Friend.
“We’ve worked really hard in the last few weeks getting the guys that weren’t involved in the SA20 back up to speed,” Friend said.
“We are fully prepared for the encounter and despite a few of their players missing they will be getting a lot of their top players back as well.
“With that said we always put most of the focus on ourselves and what we need to do well, and in that regard preparations have been superb.”
Looking at the log positions, despite being in fourth place it’s a congested log at the top, and for Friend it just takes some good cricket to close that gap to the leaders.
“We might be fourth on the table but we’re only five points from the team in second place and ten points from the Titans at the top.
“From that perspective we know what lies ahead for us and the Dolphins have done well in 4-Day cricket for a number of years now.
“It’s important that we set the tone and show that we are up for the fight this week.
“We know the importance of this match and if we get ourselves on the right side of the result then we put ourselves in a good position to fight for one of those top two spots,” Friend added.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v North West Dragons Squad
Sarel Erwee (captain), Tshepang Dithole, Prenelan Subrayen, Brad Porteous, Bryce Parsons, Daryn Dupavillon, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Okuhle Cele, Marques Ackerman (v/cpt), Odirile Modimokoane.
