The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will welcome back some significant names to their squad for their second 1st Class Series clash with the Yesplay WP Cobras at Yesplay Newlands Cape Town starting on Thursday.
The Dolphins suffered a disappointing loss to the Momentum Multiply Titans in their opening match of the competition and struggled after experienced seamer Ottniel Baartman picked up a hamstring injury early in the Titans’ first innings.
Despite the result from the opening match, the Dolphins will be confident heading to the Mother City as they welcome back some of their most experienced players. Captain Marques Ackerman, who had another stellar winter with the SA A side, returns along with fellow SA A star Okuhle Cele.
After helping the Proteas to victory in the T20 tri-series and ODI series in Namibia, Prenelan Subrayen, Nqobani Mokoena and Jason Smith also return to the fold for this week’s trip to Cape Town.
Dolphins coach Quinton Friend knows that the team has exactly what it takes to put right what went wrong at SuperSport Park.
“From a batting point of view, I thought it was a really good surface to bat on, but we just didn’t apply ourselves for long enough periods,” Friend said. “Almost everyone got in and then got out, so it’s about taking ownership and responsibility and doing the basics for longer periods. I just don’t think we quite did that in game one.
“We just had a few too many soft dismissals and gave the Titans’ bowlers opportunities that we could have avoided. Ultimately, it comes down to taking a bit more responsibility and being prepared to do the basics well for longer periods.”
The Cobras drew their opening match of the competition with the Dafabet Warriors and Friend believes that his team is up for the challenge and eager to get their campaign up and running this week.
“Everyone’s good. The guys are in good spirits and we’re looking forward to the encounter against Western Province. It’s always nice to go down to Cape Town and play well there.
“It’s important that we focus on the things we can control. It should be a really good game, so we just need to make sure we prepare accordingly for what’s to come in Cape Town on Thursday.
“Other than that, the guys are all good and looking forward to the challenge.”
The Dolphins would have been encouraged by the fight shown by the returning Grant Roelofsen in his first innings since returning to Dolphins colours. The opener notched up an important half-century for the Dolphins in their first knock at SuperSport Park and will look to build on that innings this week.
Another shining light with the ball for the Dolphins was young Tristan Luus. The young quick bagged career-best figures of 7 for 110, which was his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket in only his tenth match.
Unfortunately for Friend, the Dolphins lose Keshav Maharaj for the clash against the Cobras, but with the returning Prenelan Subrayen, the Dolphins will be confident that they have their spin-bowling bases covered.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad v Yesplay WP Cobras
Okuhle Cele, Bryce Parsons, Nqobani Mokoena, Prenelan Subrayen, Marques Ackerman (c), Tristan Luus, Khaya Zondo, Hanu Viljoen, Bayanda Majola, Semal Pillay, Jason Smith, Grant Roelofsen, Joshua Richards, Romashan Pillay.