A strong Hollywoodbets Dolphins squad will head to Potchefstroom for the CSA T20 Challenge starting on Monday hoping to better their performances from last season.
The Dolphins were finalists and semi-finalists in the two T20 competitions last season and will begin this season with a one-venue T20 competition at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.
There are a number of players in the Dolphins squad that were involved in international and franchise cricket around the world in the winter and Dolphins assistant coach Mduduzi Mbatha believes the team are ready to get their season underway.
“A lot of our guys got game time over the winter being involved in different tours and leagues internationally and playing in the UK,” Mbatha said. “That has helped a lot because the guys have learnt more about their game and have come back with more knowledge.
“All we had to do was realign the guys and make sure that everyone is thinking the same way and they are all excited for the team to have a good season.”
The Dolphins will be without seamer Lifa Ntanzi and all-rounder Ruan de Swardt who are ruled out through injury, however otherwise they are at full strength for the tournament without their two Proteas Keshav Maharaj and David Miller who are at the T20 World Cup in Australia.
“We are going in full guns blazing with everyone available which provides some good headaches for the coaches. We’ve got a number of options in different areas and that brings good competition into the squad and that competition breeds excellence.
“We’re excited for that and excited for what we are going to do in Potch.”
The matches come thick and fast for the Dolphins starting on Monday against the Momentum Multiply Titans on Monday and getting a good start is important but the Dolphins aren’t looking beyond their next match.
“It is important that you get yourself in a strong position early but this is T20 cricket and anything is possible. Keeping a positive mind-set despite your position is very important so we will take it game by game.
“I think it’s seven games in twelve days so you need to find that momentum at the right time but we’ll just break it down game by game.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins CSA T20 Challenge Squad:
Bryce Parsons, Keegan Petersen, SJ Erwee, Jon-Jon Smuts, Khaya Zondo, Grant Roelofsen, Tshepang Dithole, Marques Ackerman, Eathan Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen (c), Andile Simelane, Thando Ntini, Ottniel Baartman, Daryn Dupavilion, Jason Smith