Dolphins take on Warriors in first test of 2017
Hollywoodbets Dolphins return to four day action at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead against the Warriors starting on Thursday.
AS the Christmas break fades into distant memory and the horrors of a poor CSA T20 Challenge campaign move to the back of the mind, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will hope to continue their solid start to the Sunfoil Series when they return to four day action at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead against the Warriors starting on Thursday.
The Dolphins got their red ball campaign off to a brilliant start when they won their opening two games of the tournament however they fell by the wayside slightly when they lost to the Multiply Titans.
The Durban-based franchise was then frustrated by a rain-interrupted draw with the VKB Knights and they finished the first half of the tournament with another draw – this time with the BuildNat Cape Cobras in Paarl.
With a near full strength squad at his disposal, coach Grant Morgan is hopeful that his side can get their four day campaign back on track as they hunt down the top three sides in the competition.
“We wanted to excite the people of Durban with the brand of cricket that we play and I really feel that we started with that intent winning the first two games,” he mentioned.
“Before our final game of the first half we had been far superior to our opposition in our catching and attitude in the field which was really encouraging.”
The top four spots are separated by just over five points which encourages Morgan, and if his side can start well against a Warriors side that he is familiar with then it could put them on the right track to contend for the prestigious four day title.
“I think I have a good idea of what the Warriors will come here with and being involved from a batting and fielding point of view last year I think I know their players reasonably well.
“They are definitely an improving unit with a great spirit but they still remain a fragile four day side and inconsistent but they have improved.
“I think they might underestimate us to an extent because we have been hurt which might be a bit dangerous,” Morgan stressed.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will welcome back Proteas limited overs all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo for their first assignment in 2017. The youngster was side-lined during the first game of their T20 campaign and will bolster both the bowling stocks as well as the lower order.
Hollwoodbets Dolphins Squad: Craig Alexander, Cody Chetty, Rabian Engelbrecht, Rob Frylinck, Sibonelo Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Calvin Savage, Mthokozisi Shezi, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Divan van Wyk, Morné van Wyk (C), Khaya Zondo.
