Red ball cricket the focus for defending champion Dolphins:
Durban – After reaching the final of the CSA T20 Knock-Out, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins turn their attention to defending their CSA 4-Day Domestic Series crown when they face Six Gun Grill Western Province starting on Friday in Cape Town.
The Dolphins won the final edition of the old 4-Day Domestic Series last season in an emphatic victory over the Momentum Multiply Titans but will go into this first match of the new era with a different looking side due to injuries and unavailability of a number of players.
Prenelan Subrayen, Eathan Bosch, Grant Roelofsen and Lifa Ntanzi are all unavailable for selection and talisman Keshav Maharaj as well as Andile Phehlukwayo are on duty with the Proteas, however coach Imraan Khan knows he has a well-balanced, strong squad to choose from.
“There will be a lot of familiar faces in the starting eleven but there will also be a lot of new faces,” Khan said. “With the injuries come opportunities for other players to step up.
“We’ve managed to source Rubin Hermann to come in on loan as a wicket keeper for this match because of the absence of Grant (Roelofsen).
“He’s a really good cricketer and has spent a few years at the Titans prior to the restructure and we are looking forward to watching him over the weekend.”
Following a busy early season period where the Dolphins spent the entire T20 competition in the Free State and Northern Cape, Khan wanted to give his players a bit of a break before they hit the ground running this week to focus on red ball cricket.
“After so much time in the bubble I wanted the boys to have some time with their families and get away from the game a bit before we went to Cape Town.
“We had a nice session on Tuesday but lot of our preparation for this week was done well before the T20 competition even started.
“Our focus was that we were prepared from a bowling loads perspective and we had to make sure that the guys were ready to meet the challenges of four day cricket.
“Gavin (Muir) our strength and conditioning coach has made sure that our bowlers are prepared for the pressures by bowling double spells throughout training days so that when we start on Friday the boys are ready to bowl extended spells.”
After featuring for the Dolphins in the T20 Knock Out Thando Ntini, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith and Odirile Modimokoane are also in line to make their first class debuts for the side.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v Six Gun Grill Western Province:
Sarel Erwee, Marques Ackerman (captain), Keegan Petersen, Khaya Zondo, Jason Smith, Eathan Bosch, Rubin Hermann, Odirile Modimokoane, Darryn Dupavillon, Bryce Parsons, Ottniel Baartman, Ruan de Swart, Kerwin Mungroo, Thando Ntini.
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Mini Cricket back after extended hiatus:
Durban – The KFC Mini Cricket Provincial Seminar took place at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Saturday as coaches and players alike look forward to returning to action following an extended hiatus due to the covid-19 pandemic.
The theme for the seminar was ‘Recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic’ and the speakers and the attendees all shared the same mind-set that it is now time to get the children playing cricket again and active following a long struggle against the pandemic.
The excitement of the coaches to return to the playing field was on display as they joined in on a coaching seminar on the day and for Cricket Services Manager at KZN Coastal Ritesh Ramjee, it’s an exciting time.
“We are incredibly excited to relaunch the KFC Mini Cricket Programme,” Ramjee said. “We know how important this project is not only for the Union but more importantly for the thousands of children who take part every week.
“Seeing their smiling faces once again will be exactly what is needed following such a prolonged period without cricket.
“The KFC Mini Cricket programme plays such an important part in the lives of the young children that take part and it’s really exciting to see continuing their involvement in grass roots cricket.”
Ramjee was full of praise for the teachers and coaches that take time out to coach and umpire the matches for the young children.
“To see the enthusiasm of these teachers and coaches who give of their time to make sure the children have the best experience is fantastic.
“At the end of the day we want these young players to have the best possible platform to grow as people and cricketers and seeing how enthusiastic these coaches are I am confident that they will give the players the best possible opportunities,” he added.
There were over 90 people present at the seminar as they look to grow the game of cricket throughout the province starting at the grassroots level.
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