Dolphins trio included in National Academy 2016 intake
The three stars have already started to make their marks at both Provincial and franchise level.
EXCITING young Sunfoil Dolphins talents Andile Phehlukwayo, Sibonelo Makhanya and Tshepang Dithole, recently joined their fellow 2016 Powerade South African National Academy members at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria and are already hard at work, eager to take their game to the next level this winter.
Just 20, 20 and 23 years old respectively, the three stars of the future have already started to make their marks at both Provincial and franchise level domestically but are eager to use this opportunity to further their careers and ultimately go on to represent their country at senior level.
“The National Academy is a really nice process to go through for us as players making our way from semi-pro to full professional level,” explained former South Africa U19 captain, Makhanya.
“Being part of the National Academy is a great opportunity and a step you need to take if you want to get to the next level. There are great coaches here at the Academy and amazing facilities at the High Performance Centre; I can’t think of any better place to be as we all look to grow as cricketers,” he added.
Phehlukwayo cemented his position in the Dolphins line-up this past season through his abilities across all three formats, proving his worth with the ball in particularly when often tasked with delivering the high-pressured final overs throughout the 2015/16 RAM Slam T20 Challenge.
“One day I hope to play a similar role to what Ben Stokes currently does for England – bat at six or seven and bowl first change, especially in the really important overs such as at the death. I’m really excited to have been involved in all three formats at Franchise level so far but I especially enjoy four day cricket and then the challenge of T20,” he said.
The four-phase men’s programme culminates in a series against the Sri Lankan Emerging Team in the second half of August.
