KZN Inland seek trophy number two:
With one trophy already in the cabinet for the 2015/16 season, KwaZulu-Natal Inland’s provincial side are looking forward to challenging for another when they take on Western Province at the Western Province Cricket Club from Thursday, 31 March – Sunday, 3 April in the Sunfoil 3-Day Cup Final.
The season’s CSA Provincial T20 Challenge victors were in sublime form in the shortest format’s brief competition however it is their consistency and success over in their first class campaign that saw the side top Pool B and charge into this week’s final.
While key players such as Sarel Erwee continue to leave their mark at franchise level, senior players like Divan van Wyk, Kyle Nipper and Graham Hume will all look to provide the necessary support to captain Mbasa Gqadushe as they go in search of more silverware.
“When I first came across to KZN Inland I wanted to establish a winning culture,” explains head coach, Shane Burger. “We first did that in the one day stuff and this year’s goal was to carry that through in our first class cricket.”
“It has been great to see how the guys have continued the momentum from the shorter formats into the three-day competition and that winning has now become a bit of a habit.
“Nips (Kyle Nipper) has had a phenomenal season for us – probably his best yet and he just keeps getting better and better while Divan van Wyk has come back from being dropped from the franchise side and turned it around like a true professional.
“His attitude and willingness to help the youngsters has been superb and the way he has led from the front as one of our senior players has played a vital role in us achieving what we have thus far!” he added.
While the likes of Nipper, Van Wyk, Hume and Tshepang Dithole have all enjoyed franchise exposure previously, the challenge of facing up to a strong WP outfit – that has the potential of including a fit again Vernon Philander – is something the whole squad has embraced.
“Western Province will be a good team but regardless of who plays for them our guys will be ready and up for the challenge!” confirms Burger.
“I’m not sure if guys like Vernon (Philander) will play for them however embracing the challenge of playing against franchise and even national players is what it’s all about because ultimately that’s where we want our guys to playing anyway.”
With the Sunfoil Dolphins also set to do battle in Cape Town this weekend when they take on the Cape Cobras in a Sunfoil Series clash, the Sunfoil Cup final will unfold just down the drag at Western Province Cricket Club with an extra day’s play likely to add an extra dynamic to the mix this week.
“Western Province Cricket Club is a nice ground; I doubt if any four day cricket has been played there this season but hopefully it will be a good four day wicket,” says Burger.
“A four day final is something we’re not used to but to be honest I don’t think it changes things too much; the biggest thing is that the pressure is just applied over a prolonged period, but our guys are looking forward to the challenge!”
KwaZulu-Natal Inland Squad:
Mbasa Gqadushe (captain), Tshepang Dithole, Gareth Dukes, Graham Hume, Kushen Kishun, Divan van Wyk, Kurtlyn Mannikam, Attie Maposa, Lefa Mosena, Cyril Mthimkhulu, Kerwin Mungroo, Kyle Nipper, Ruhan Pretorius, Shane Burger (coach), Victor Xhoseni (assistant coach)
Full article here: Sunfoil Dolphins – DolphinsCricket
Fresh faces for Sunfoil Dolphins’ Mother City visit:
The Sunfoil Dolphins travel to Cape Town this week for their penultimate outing of the season when they take on the Cape Cobras at PPC Newlands from Thursday, 31 March to Sunday, 3 April and have brought in five fresh faces for the trip.
The injured Morné van Wyk, Khaya Zondo and Daryn Dupavillon have all been rested in the hope of their recovery in time for the Sunfoil Dolphins final encounter against the VKB Knights at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead next week.
Van Wyk and Zondo’s absence has opened the doorway for the inclusion of former South Africa Under-19 captain Sibonelo Makhanya and likely franchise debutant Senuran Muthusamy, both set to turn out in the Dolphins top six.
The probable return of Craig Alexander from a hamstring strain will offset the loss of Dupavillon somewhat while Calvin Savage – who started the second half of the Sunfoil Series with the squad before getting injured and then returning to play via the KwaZulu-Natal provincial team – also returns to the mix while Brandon Scullard’s inclusion further bolsters the squad’s bowling stocks.
“Morné (van Wyk) will revisit the doctor regarding his wrist while Khaya (Zondo)’s knees are giving him hassles,” explained caretaker coach, Yashin Ebrahim.
“Unfortunately Daryn (Dupavillon) broke down in Maritzburg during our last game; hopefully some rest this week will however see him available for us again next week.
“Craig (Alexander) will undergo a final fitness test before Thursday’s start however he got through two sessions of bowling on Tuesday morning and he should be good to go,” he added.
Having beaten the Warriors convincingly and then come within 18 runs of victory against The Unlimited Titans in their first two matches of the second half of the competition, the Durban side wasn’t at its best against the bizhub Highveld Lions in Pietermaritzburg before the Easter break.
The Dolphins are however eager to rectify their recent errors and put in a stronger performance against the Cobras this week.
“To an extent we were a little disappointing against the Lions, mainly because our bowlers didn’t hit the ground running and we let the Lions get away from us in that first session.
“We had two good games before that though and we’ve got a young squad now so hopefully we can pull it all together again in Cape Town and play well,” said Ebrahim.
The Sunfoil Dolphins are currently fourth on the Sunfoil Series log, less than two points ahead of the fifth place Cobras, adding to the importance of this week’s clash.
Sunfoil Dolphins squad:
Craig Alexander, Rabian Engelbrecht, Sarel Erwee, Imraan Khan, Keshav Maharaj, Sibonelo Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Calvin Savage, Brandon Scullard, Mthokozisi Shezi, Daryn Smit, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Roger Telemachus (coach), Yashin Ebrahim (coach)
Full article here: Sunfoil Dolphins – DolphinsCricket
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