Dolphins sign Nortje for T20 Challenge

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins have signed Proteas speedster Anrich Nortje for the upcoming CSA T20 Challenge starting on Saturday.

The fast bowler, who was a critical part of the Proteas set-up both in red and white ball cricket, has been in the process of rediscovering his fitness and form and the Dolphins are excited to be a part of his return.

Nortje hasn't featured in a professional cricket match since the IPL in May with his last match for the Proteas being the T20 World Cup final in the West Indies in June last year.

Talking ahead of Dolphins debut on Saturday, Nortje is ready to get himself back on the field.

“Everyone has been very welcoming, and it’s been a great environment so far and I’m really looking forward to getting going with the competition,” Nortje said.

“From a personal perspective and a group perspective it’s going to be great to get back out on the park.”

Nortje has been on a long road to recovery having last played professional cricket in May. The 31-year-old has taken the recovery in his stride.

“I’m always positive, always motivated, and excited but when you get towards the end (of injury rehabilitation) you want to get going because you know what is around the corner.

“So, the last week or two have probably been more frustrating than the other months!

“It’s always been about trying to see the positives and working towards a new goal of being better than I was before so I’m really happy where I am now and it’s all about getting out there and getting some games under my belt.”

Dolphins coach Quinton Friend is excited that this plan has come together following a lot of discussion.

"It's massive for us as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to rope in a bowler of Anrich's calibre," Friend said. "He's done some really special things on the international stage, in the IPL and in the SA20 so we know that he's coming with a lot of experience.

"T20 cricket is one of the formats that he's very good at and it's hugely exciting having someone like Anrich Nortje in our squad for the T20 competition."

KZN Cricket Union CEO Henrich Strydom believes that having the likes of Nortje in their ranks will hugely bolster the squad for the competition.

"We're incredibly excited to welcome a box office cricketer like Anrich Nortje to the Hollywoodbets Dolphins for the CSA T20 Challenge," Strydom said. "He's a proven match-winner at international level and will be a crucial part of the Dolphins squad for the competition.

"He is looking to make a return from injury and we're excited that he chose the Dolphins to relaunch his career after a long period out with injuries.

"It's fantastic to have our youngsters learn from someone like Anrich who has experience playing in T20 leagues around the world."

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins take on the Moothee Ram Tuskers in their opening match of the CSA T20 Challenge this Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.

It's going to be an exciting tournament for the Dolphins who will be captained by the experienced Jon-Jon Smuts in the absence of Marques Ackerman. The Dolphins will be without a handful of their stars for the opening period of the competition as they are on duty with the SA 'A' side in India.Heading into their opening match of the competition this weekend, the Dolphins have come off a

successful start to their 4-Day Series. Friend believes the team didn't need too much preparation to shift focus to T20 cricket.

"A week is more than enough time to prepare after coming off four really tough weeks of four day cricket with two day gaps in between," Friend said. "We are trying to zone into very T20 specific training this week and make sure that we can get the group in the best possible place from a focus point of view.

"We've got a big job on our hands; we've lost a lot of players to the SA 'A' tour of India and then some players that will join the Proteas as well. To have seven players out means we are going to have to rely on the depth in our pipeline."

Speaking about the players that will be coming into the mix, Friend is excited to be able to see how they go on the big stage.

"Our high performance players will come into the mix, and it gives them a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talent and their skills.

"Giving youngsters chances is something that we started in the 4-Day competition. We had three debutants in the first four games, so it's something that we want to do, and we want to give guys the opportunity to show us what they are about at this level.

"I'm excited to see how this team goes and how the youngsters shape up this competition," Friend added.

With a competition that only features six matches before the play-offs, getting a good start will be important, however Friend believes that they will need to be at their best throughout.

"I think that every single game is going to be crucial and you cannot underestimate any side in the competition.

"The Tuskers are a good side and have some experienced players in their mix. A guy like (Wayne) Parnell will come in with the likes of (Daryn) Dupavillon and Hardus Viljoen from a bowling point of view.

"They are well covered but there is also a lot of unknown, as with all the teams I think, so we need to focus on what we can control going into this weekend's first match of the competition," Friend said.

The Dolphins have included Proteas batter David Miller in their squad for the competition as the big-hitter recovers from an injury that ruled him out of the current tour of Pakistan.

Hollwoodbets Dolphins CSA T20 Challenge Squad

Keshav Maharaj, Tristan Luus, Eathan Bosch, Tshepang Dithole, Okuhle Cele, Aryan Goplalan, Hanu Viljoen, Jon Jon Smuts, Khaya Zondo, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Romashan Pillay, Gomolemo Phiri, Slade Van Staden, Prenelan Subrayen, Anrich Nortje, Bryce Parsons, Marques Ackerman, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj.

Meanwhile, World Sports Betting Western Province Men have shifted their focus to the CSA T20 Challenge, which gets underway this week, as the Boys in Blue prepare to welcome the North West Dragons to WSB Newlands on Sunday.

The match is set to start at 12pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Last season’s leading run-scorer and opening batter, Eddie Moore, says preparations have been going well and the team is eager to kick off their T20 campaign on a strong note.

The 32-year-old will be looking to build on the fine form he displayed last season and continue his consistency at the top of the order.

“I’m really looking forward to the CSA T20 Challenge when our campaign kicks off on Sunday,” said Moore.

“In preparation for the tournament, we’ve gone through some internal warm-up matches which have been really competitive and there’s been some real talent on show. We’ll have a few more top up sessions before Sunday which will fine tune the skills before we kick things off.”

“Even though I was leading run scorer last year I’ve got to park that bus and start fresh this year. I want to stay true to myself and make sure I can add value in runs during the high-pressure situations and lead the team in that department.”

Although he admits the Boys In Blue didn’t have the best run in last season’s competition, finishing in third place, Moore remains confident that things will be different this time around, with the team determined to go all the way.

“I think we've had a little bit of difficulty in the T20 competition over the last three years or so and having gotten to the semi’s last season we’re really looking to compete, and we have a clear goal of playing in the final this year and making the province fans proud,” he said.

“As a team we’ve been playing some good cricket and we’re doing the small things right but going into the shorter format we’ll need to identify the big moments that will give us positive outcomes.”

Western Province are no strangers to facing the Dragons in the T20 Challenge and Moore acknowledges that it won’t be an easy encounter. However, he remains confident that the team has what it takes to rise to the occasion and start their campaign on a strong note.

“With only seven games in the competition we want to start on a good note and if we can get two positive results at the start, we’ll be able to carry that momentum through the tournament and I’m sure we’ll edge one step closer to our goal,” he added.

“Playing the Dragons at home on Sunday, I think even in the four-day competition, they've got a good squad going, and we know in T20 cricket, they've got a few big hitters and a few match winners in their team.

“So, it'll be a good challenge first up, but like I said, if we can get over the line in the first game and then hopefully the second one and catch a bit of momentum and it'll be good for our chemistry.”

Head coach Rory Kleinveldt has bolstered his coaching support staff ahead of the CSA T20 Challenge next month with the additions of former Proteas white-ball batting coach JP Duminy and experienced fielding coach Ryan Maron.

Both Duminy and Maron bring a wealth of international experience and expertise to the WSB Western Province setup as they join the Boys in Blue on a consultancy basis, with immediate effect.

Duminy, who has an extensive background as a player and coach, will work alongside Qaasim Adams providing invaluable insight into modern white-ball strategies and mindset going into the T20 format.

Maron, meanwhile, takes up the role of fielding coach, adding his global experience and technical knowledge to sharpen the team’s fielding standards.

The pairs appointments are set to further strengthen the squad’s preparation and performance heading into the T20 Challenge.

Kleinveldt welcomed the appointments, expressing his excitement about the experience and value both coaches will bring to

the squad.

“Our preparations for the T20 Challenge have been going really well and bringing in two highly experienced coaches like JP and Ryan adds great value to what we’re building. JP’s knowledge of the shorter format and his experience at the highest level will be massive for our batting group, while Ryan’s expertise in fielding and attention to detail will definitely sharpen us up in that department. It’s exciting to have them on board and I believe their input will make a big difference as we head into the

competition,” said Kleinveldt.

WSB Western Province Squad

Juan James, Joshua van Heerden, Beuran Hendricks, Edward Moore, Jody Lawrence, Josh Breed, Valentine Kitime, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Bongile Mfunelwa, Kyle Verreynne (w/k-captain), Daniel Smith (w/k), Jiveshan Pillay, Dane Paterson, Oliver Whitehead, Raeeq Daniels, Abdallah Buyoumy, Mbulelo Dube, Kashief Joseph Asakhe Tsaka.

In other news, Titans Cricket is proud to announce a new partnership with GANT, the renowned premium lifestyle brand known for its timeless style and dedication to quality since 1949.

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As part of the partnership, GANT has joined the Sky Blues family as an official lifestyle partner. To mark the collaboration, a special lifestyle shoot took place featuring Titans players showcasing GANT’s signature look, blending classic sportsmanship with modern

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