Dolphins welcome back big guns for Cobras clash

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will welcome back some significant names to their squad for their second 1st Class Series clash with the Yesplay WP Cobras at Yesplay Newlands Cape Town starting on Thursday.

The Dolphins suffered a disappointing loss to the Momentum Multiply Titans in their opening match of the competition and struggled after experienced seamer Ottniel Baartman picked up a hamstring injury early in the Titans’ first innings.

Despite the result from the opening match, the Dolphins will be confident heading to the Mother City as they welcome back some of their most experienced players. Captain Marques Ackerman, who had another stellar winter with the SA 'A' side, returns along with fellow SA 'A' star Okuhle Cele.

After helping the Proteas to victory in the T20 tri-series and ODI series in Namibia, Prenelan Subrayen, Nqobani Mokoena and Jason Smith also return to the fold for this week’s trip to Cape Town.

Dolphins coach Quinton Friend knows that the team has exactly what it takes to put right what went wrong at SuperSport Park.

“From a batting point of view, I thought it was a really good surface to bat on but we just didn’t apply ourselves for long enough periods,” Friend said. “Almost everyone got in and then got out, so it’s about taking ownership and responsibility and doing the basics for longer periods. I just don’t think we quite did that in game one.

“We just had a few too many soft dismissals and gave the Titans’ bowlers opportunities that we could have avoided. Ultimately, it comes down to taking a bit more responsibility and being prepared to do the basics well for longer periods.”

The Cobras drew their opening match of the competition with the Dafabet Warriors and Friend believes that his team is up for the challenge and eager to get their campaign up and running this week.

“Everyone’s good. The guys are in good spirits and we’re looking forward to the encounter against Western Province. It’s always nice to go down to Cape Town and play well there.

“It’s important that we focus on the things we can control. It should be a really good game, so we just need to make sure we prepare accordingly for what’s to come in Cape Town on Thursday.

“Other than that, the guys are all good and looking forward to the challenge.”

The Dolphins would have been encouraged by the fight shown by the returning Grant Roelofsen in his first innings since returning to Dolphins colours. The opener notched up an important half-century for the Dolphins in their first knock at SuperSport Park and will look to build on that innings this week.

Another shining light with the ball for the Dolphins was young Tristan Luus. The young quick bagged career-best figures of 7/110, which was his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket in only his tenth match.

Unfortunately for Friend, the Dolphins lose Keshav Maharaj for the clash against the Cobras but with the returning Prenelan Subrayen, the Dolphins will be confident that they have their spin-bowling bases covered.

Cobras wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne believes the team can take plenty of confidence from their opening 1st Class Series match of the season as they prepare to face the Dolphins.

The Cobras opened their campaign against the Dafabet Warriors last week, producing a positive result after showing resilience under pressure. Verreynne says the performance provided encouraging signs for the season ahead.

"We got a nice positive result against the Warriors,” said Verreynne. “I think there were some really good signs for the team early in the season, showing a lot of fight after being under quite a bit of pressure. A few of our debutants also put their hands up, which is really promising.”

The Cobras will also welcome back key players Mihlali Mpongwana, Kyle Simmonds and Tshepo Moreki, who return from the South Africa 'A' tour against Bangladesh.

Their return adds valuable experience to a squad that has already seen several young players make an impression.

"We've got a few of our SA 'A' boys back for this week's game against the Dolphins, which is always nice,” he said. “It adds a bit of experience to the team, which is exciting. We're looking forward to a good challenge against a strong Dolphins side."

One of the standout performers against the Warriors was young all-rounder Oliver Whitehead, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. "The boys are in really good spirits and hopefully we can push for our first win of the season,” added Verreynne.

“It is really pleasing for Ollie. He picked up his maiden five-wicket haul, and he's one of those young guys, from the moment he walked into the changing room a couple of years ago, you sensed there was something special about him.

"He's a hard worker and has put a lot of hard yards in the build-up to the season, so it's great to see someone like that get rewarded. Now it's important for him to continue building on that performance."

The match is being livestreamed on the official Cricket South Africa YouTube channel from 10am.

Meanwhile, Dr De Vries Basson has been elected President of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) following the Association’s Annual General Meeting, held at Newlands, on Monday evening.

Basson was elected unopposed for a three-year term, following votes cast by delegates representing more than 70 cricket clubs at the AGM.

Having served as WPCA Vice President for the past three years, Basson succeeds outgoing President Johannes Adams, who has led the Association since August 2023, taking over from Ashraf Burns.

Adams leaves the presidency having played a significant role in the WPCA’s continued development and growth. During his tenure, the Association strengthened its commercial partnerships and sponsorship portfolio while overseeing several important developments across the organisation.

Among his key contributions were his involvement in the appointment of CEO Corrie van Zyl, the Association’s partnership with World Sports Betting and, more recently, the new relationship with YesPlay. His tenure also coincided with major developments at the stadium, including the refurbishment of YesPlay Newlands

Cape Town as the venue prepares to host the 2027 Cricket World Cup and other major sporting events.

Basson will be supported by Shafiek Noordien, who has been elected as the new WPCA Vice President.

Barry Saunders, Michael Reynders and Fezile Mguqulwa were newly elected to the board at the AGM, joining returning directors Jameel Magiet and Thulani Zideba. The WPCA thanked outgoing directors Niyaaz Ebrahim and Stanley Maqubela for their contributions to the board.

Speaking after his election, Basson said: “It is with enormous pride, humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the honour of serving as President of Western Province Cricket. We are creating an organisation in which our clubs feel they belong, our players believe they have opportunities, our administrators understand their responsibilities, and our supporters are once again excited about

Western Province Cricket and WP Cobras. One Province. One Cricket Family. One Purpose.

“We are Western Province. Different communities. Different backgrounds. Different opinions. But when it comes to cricket, one badge. One Province. And if we are prepared to stand together and fight for every run, every wicket, every player and every opportunity, then I believe the greatest chapter in the history of Western Province Cricket has not yet been written. We are going to write it together. Faithful and Forward.”

"Being elected as Vice President of Western Province Cricket Association is a tremendous honour. At the same time, it carries a significant responsibility shared by Dr De Vries Basson, our President, and me, as part of the Association’s leadership," said Noordien.

"We have a fiduciary duty to continue strengthening Western Province Cricket and building on the strong position we enjoy as one of the leading unions in the country. We thank every individual who has placed their trust in us. In return, we commit ourselves to serving the game with integrity, striving for excellence and ensuring that Western Province Cricket remains where it belongs, among the very best in South Africa."

President and Chairperson

Dr De Vries Basson

Vice President

Shafiek Noordien

Non-Independent Directors

Jameel Magiet

Fezile Mguqulwa

Michael Reynders

Barry Saunders

Thulani Zideba

Independent Directors

Ian Bartes (LID)

Saliem Mohamed

Anine Pheiffer

Jacqui Samson

Carl Sheik

Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad

Okuhle Cele, Bryce Parsons, Nqobani Mokoena, Prenelan Subrayen, Marques Ackerman (c), Tristan Luus, Khaya Zondo, Hanu Viljoen, Bayanda Majola, Semal Pillay, Jason Smith, Grant Roelofsen, Joshua Richards, Romashan Pillay.