The Hollywoodbets Dolphins squad may be a little short of experience, but they are approaching the new season with hope and enthusiasm.
The Dolphins, who face the Multiply Titans in their opening Sunfoil Series match in Centurion on Tuesday, have lost a host of senior players over the last two seasons, including Kyle Abbott, David Miller, Jonathan Vandiar, Craig Alexander, Divan van Wyk, Cameron Delport, Daryn Smit and Ryan McLaren. These stocks have largely been replenished by youngsters with only wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Vilas a like-for-like replacement.
When a squad is described as “in transition”, as the Dolphins undoubtedly are, this is often used as an excuse for a lack of positive short-term results. This argument doesn’t sit well with skipper Khaya Zondo who is starting his first full season as captain after taking over the reins from Morne van Wyk in February.
Zondo, third in the first-class national averages with 740 runs at 67 last term, acknowledged that a number of his players are relatively untested at senior level but refused to lower his expectations.
“I expect a lot from the guys and obviously I want us to go out and compete for trophies. I don’t think much has to be changed from last season, beyond the fact that we must learn to handle the pressure situations better. In the Momentum Cup and at times in the four-day games we showed fight and a lovely energy, almost everything that we needed, but we need to learn to make things go our way more often in the important moments.”
Zondo said he was encouraged by the fact that the youngsters were showing lots of potential. While they required “guidance” from the senior players and the coaching staff, he still expected them to flourish.
“I’ve said to the youngsters that it’s not about seniors and juniors – anyone can be a star. The quicker a youngster starts to handle the pressure moments the better, whether with bat or ball. If he can do that then you know the squad is getting stronger.
“I don’t want to say seniors, seniors, seniors when half the side is composed of young guys. So for me, it’s a case of young guys maturing a lot quicker. Once they start to catch up with the more experienced players in terms of the quality of their performances then there’s more competition for places which is healthy.”
Coach Grant Morgan underlines his captain’s sentiments, saying that the squad has plenty of raw talent and enough of a smattering of senior players to win trophies. “Of course it’s going to take a really concerted effort, but we can do it. There are no excuses.
“If we plant the tree now, unselfishly, I believe we can pounce in the next couple of seasons,” he said.
The Dolphins have, however, some issues to overcome in the opening weeks. Vilas will miss the first two matches because of his commitments in English county cricket while fast bowlers Daryn Dupavillon and Lwandiswa Zuma both have injury problems.
Vilas’s absence ensures that veteran Morne van Wyk will keep wicket, while Dupavillon’s lower-back injury opens the door for young pacemen such as Okuhle Cele and Eathen Bosch to partner Rabian Engelbrecht. Spin resources are plentiful with Imran Tahir paired with arguably the most improved player in the Proteas squad, Keshav Maharaj. When they are absent, offspinner Prenelan Subrayen and left-arm tweaker Muthusamy will have more opportunities.
Meanwhile, the batting strength runs deep with the opening pair of Sarel Erwee and Senuran Muthusamy followed by last season’s top run-getter, Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Zondo and Van Wyk. The team is also rich in allrounders such as Robbie Frylinck, Andile Phehlukwayo, Calvin Savage and Sibz Makhanya.
Last season, the Dolphins finished fourth in the Sunfoil Series, fourth in the Momentum One-Day Cup and fifth in the CSA T20 Challenge.
