Dolphins men eager to get back out there

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins Men's team will resume their season following the Betway SA20 and the squad and coaching staff are eager to get back onto the field starting with a 4-Day Series clash in Potchefstroom against the North-West Dragons.

The Dolphins had a number of players involved in the SA20 across the franchises and there were some stand-out performances.

Ottniel Baartman finished the tournament as the leading wicket taker and has entrenched himself as the competition’s best bowler with the most wickets in the history of the tournament.

Dolphins all-rounder Bryce Parsons helped the Pretoria Capitals to the final and their skipper Keshav Maharaj was also influential in the making the championship match.

However, with the tournament behind us, the focus shifts back to domestic cricket and a red ball showdown with the North-West Dragons starting on Saturday.

The Dolphins currently sit in fifth on the table, however given the congestion at the top a win would catapult them right into the mix for that final.

Dolphins head coach Quinton Friend says they are eager to get the season back underway.

"It's been a nice break for some players while others have been busy with the SA20 but we're really excited to get going again," Friend said. "It's a crucial part of the season as we head into the back end of the 4-Day Series and a One Day Cup so I'm sure the guys are amped to play well in Dolphins colours."

Reflecting on how the team did in the SA20, Friend was happy with the contributions made by his players to the various teams.

"It was great to see our guys put their hands up and perform when they were needed. I think of how Bryce Parsons played in Qualifier 1 to get his side into the final.

"The way Nqobani Mokoena has stepped up in this SA20 has been remarkable as well so it's fantastic from a young players point of view.

"There have been players that have also put in performances here and there but there were players who didn't get many opportunities. and they will be hungry to come back and play cricket which is the big thing for us."

With two matches left in the group stage of the 4-Day Series the pressure is on for teams to push for a top two finish. Friend's Dolphins chargers understand the magnitude of a strong finish to the campaign.

"With the squad coming back in bits and pieces we're back in the swing of things this week and we are looking forward to it.

"It's a massive two games coming up and if we can get positive results from those two games then we give ourselves the best possible chance of finishing in the top two.

"The final is definitely the motivation but the focus now is purely on North West coming up this weekend," Friend added.

The Dolphins will be captained by Prenelan Subrayen in the absence of Marques Ackerman.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad

Aryan Gopalan, Tristan Luus, Eathan Bosch, Tshepang Dithole, Nqobani Mokoena, Hanu Viljoen, Prenelan Subrayen (capt), Bryce Parsons, Semal Pillay, Khaya Zondo, Romashan Pillay, Okuhle Cele, Slade Van Staden, Andile Simelane.

4-Day Domestic Series Table

1 Dafabet Warriors 92.4

2 North West Dragons 84.36

3 DP World Lions 82.28

4 Goldrush Boland 81.44

5 Hollywoodbets Dolphins 78.56

6 WSB Western Province 67.28

7 Momentum Multiply Titans 48.32

8 Moothee Ram Tuskers 43.38