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Big guns return for Dolphins

football08 October 2024 17:45
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Keshav Maharaj © Gallo Images

As the Hollywoodbets Dolphins look to return to winning ways in the CSA T20 Challenge, they will welcome back Keshav Maharaj and Jason Smith for their upcoming clash with Auto Investment North West Dragons at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Wednesday.

It's another busy week for the Dolphins who play on Wednesday and then again on Sunday, however they have two home fixtures this week and will be chasing two wins to get their campaign back on track.

Smith will come into the side off some fantastic form for the Proteas where he scored 91 in the third ODI against Ireland while Maharaj has been with the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League.

Smith's maiden ODI half century was impressive in that he was the only Proteas batter who scored over 50.

For coach Quinton Friend these will be welcome additions to the squad.

"It's great to have Kesh and Jason back in the squad because they both come in with some invaluable experience for us," Friend said. "I do feel that we haven't been far off and have probably let ourselves down a bit with the bat so far.

"With that said, if we win our next four then we are probably in the play-offs so we are now in the position where it's a knock-out competition for us."

Despite the difficult start to the T20 competition Friend knows that his team have a lot more to give going into Wednesday's match.

"We need to believe that we are just a win away from getting on a good run and I've got a lot of confidence in this team.

"Looking back on the history we've had slow starts in this competition before in the past and improved as the tournament has gone on.

"I've got full confidence in the side to turn things around on Wednesday in front of our home crowd," Friend added.

The Dolphins will be keen to put together a full 40-over performance on Wednesday and then back that up on Sunday against WSB Western Province.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins squad

Brad Porteous, Preneland Subrayen, Banele Cele, Hanu Viljoen, Bryce Parsons, Andile Simelane, Jon-Jon Smuts, Tshepang Dithole, Keshav Maharaj, Daryn Dupavillon, Romashan Pillay, Okuhle Cele, Marques Ackerman, Jason Smith.

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