Settled Dolphins eyeing 4-Day Series summit while Titans and Tusker aim to end with a bang

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins take on the Momentum Multiply Titans at SuperSport Park in their final 4-Day Series match of the year hoping to potentially finish 2025 on the top of the red ball log (9-12 December).

The Dolphins are currently in second place behind the North West Dragons with two wins and two draws from their four matches in the competition. The Dolphins have collected the most batting points in the tournament so far which is encouraging for the team heading to Centurion this week.

Given their current log position the Dolphins will be eager to get going this week and coach Quinton Friend has seen a mindset and work ethic from the team that is encouraging.

"It's the purest form of the game and it rewards you for doing the right thing for long periods and the guys enjoy that and enjoy the format," Friend said.

"We've had four good days of preparation and the guys are super excited to get this last 4-day game for the year going and hopefully we can finish the year on a high."

Friend's side take on a Titans team that is currently bottom of the 4-Day log, however the coach knows that they will have a strong squad for this week's clash.

"We know that the Titans are a good side and I'm sure they will get some Proteas back this week.

"Guys like Lu-handre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy and Simon Harmer will be back, I'm sure. Those are quality players so it's important that we do the right things in the four day and take ownership of our roles.

"We're excited that we've got Okuhle Cele back in our side after a hamstring niggle he picked up on SA 'A' duty, so the team are raring to go this week.

"It's going to be a very similar squad to the one that played our last 4-day game, so we are happy to have that continuity."

The Dolphins have had the edge over the Titans in the 4-Day Series in recent seasons and are unbeaten in their previous five meetings having won two and drawn three of their most recent meetings.

One of those wins was the 4-Day Series final while they beat the Titans by seven wickets in the 2022/2023 season.

The Dolphins have relied on runs from opening batter Tshepang Dithole this season. The left-hander is currently the third highest run scorer in the tournament with 436 runs with two centuries and two half centuries from his eight innings so far.

The Titans head into the match eager to reset their red-ball campaign after a difficult start that has seen them go without a win in the 4-Day competition so far. Having wrapped up their CSA T20 Challenge about three weeks ago, where they finished sixth on the log, the team now shifts focus toward rebuilding momentum, strengthening key areas of play and climbing steadily up the standings.

Head coach Rivash Gobind believes the recently concluded T20 Challenge played an important role in lifting team spirit and sharpening competitive edge. “The T20 Challenge was a good platform for the men to gain confidence. It injected great energy into the squad and we’re looking forward to carrying that into the 4-Day Series. Being back at home gives us a valuable advantage, and we believe the conditions at SuperSport Park will suit the brand of cricket we want to play,” said Gobind.

The Sky Blues will be boosted by the return of Simon Harmer, who re-joins the side after the outbound Test series in India, where he was named Player of the Series. His presence adds immense experience and tactical skill to the bowling attack. Tsepo Ndwandwa also returns to the squad, further strengthening the Titans’ options with ball in hand.

On the batting front, the Titans welcome a strong lineup that includes Rivaldo Moonsamy, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Keegan Petersen, Lesego Senokwane and Neil Brand, who will be central to anchoring the innings and setting the tone across the four days. Gobind expressed confidence in the group selected for the final home match of the year, noting the balance and depth within the squad and the enthusiasm to host the Dolphins in front of home supporters.

SuperSport Park will open its gates at 10am and entry is free, giving fans every opportunity to come out and support the Sky Blues in what promises to be an important and competitive fixture.

Momentum Multiply Titans Squad

Lesego Senokwane, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Lizaad Williams, Keegan Petersen, Simon Harmer, Neil Brand, Dayyaan Galiem, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Sibonelo Makhanya, Duan Jansen, Lesego Kokohlabana, Junior Dala, Keagan Lion-Cachet, Lhuan-dré Pretorius.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad

Bryce Parsons, Khaya Zondo, Jason Smith, Semal Pillay, Slade van Staden, Romashan Pillay, Tristan Luus, Andile Simelane, Marques Ackerman (c), Okuhle Cele, Eathan Bosch, Nqobani Mokoena, Hanu Viljoen, Tshepang Dithole.

Meanwhile, the Moothee Ram Tuskers will be hoping that they can finish 2025 on a positive note when they host WSB Western Province in the 4-Day Series at the AET Pietermaritzburg Oval starting on Tuesday.

The Tuskers have been ended the recent CSA T20 Challenge with one victory from the competition and were competitive throughout which is a positive sign heading into the SA20 break coming up.

They are seventh on the table in the 4-Day Series ahead of the Titans and will be hoping that they can put four good days of cricket together in Pietermaritzburg this week against Western Province who are just ahead of them on the table.

Looking back on what has transpired so far this season, Tuskers head coach Ahmed Amla was honest on his assessment of how things have gone.

"We took a few days after the T20 to reflect and get past the obvious disappointment in the manner of how we performed at times," Amla said. "On the whole, half way through the season, it's no secret that we have not been up to the mark in the batting department.

"That is something that we have looked to address within our group and start doing better. We have played some winning cricket at times, but not enough consecutive periods to win those close games."

It was a difficult period for the Tuskers through the T20 competition as they lost some players to injury. With a bit of a break, they will welcome some players back to the squad.

With half the season completed, Amla does believe that this team have grown considerably.

"There is no doubt the players are developing with the exposure to this level, some of the younger guys will learn from this and become very good cricketers.

"Unfortunately we have had a spate of injuries in the last two weeks with some players out for a prolonged period, so we are going to need guys to put their best forward and grab their chances," he mentioned.

It's going to be a crucial second half of the season for the Tuskers who will need to produce some good results in order to climb up the overall log. For Amla though, the plans and goals remain the same.

"Our goal remains steadfast as there is a lot still to achieve and plenty of games that we need to win in order to remain in this division. Team is focused and ready to give it a full go so that we can head into the new year looking forward to getting some wins again."

The Tuskers squad will include the likes of captain Michael Erlank who returns from injury, while they will be without Andile Mogakane who has withdrawn from the squad due to personal reasons.

This week the Tuskers have got two loan players in Yaseen Valli from South Western Districts and Jean du Plessis from the Dafabet Warriors.

World Sports Betting Western Province head into the fixture refreshed and motivated after an impressive run in the recent CSA T20 Challenge, which boosted confidence and showcase the squad’s growing depth. With the shorter-format now behind them, the focus shifts back to red-ball cricket, an opportunity captain Beuran Hendricks believes the side is ready to embrace.

“We’ve done some reflection on how the 4-Day Series campaign has gone so far,” said Hendricks. “We’ve identified areas we can improve on which, if looked after during the four days, will put us in better positions to get over the line. So, the faithful can expect a good fight against the Tuskers and, as always, we want a positive result.”

That reflection comes with the team currently in sixth position on the log with 43.48 points, a standing they are determined to improve.

“Training has been really good in the build up to this game,” Hendricks added. “The guys had a few days off which freshened everyone up. There’s been a great buzz in the camp, and I think guys are itching to get back on the field.”

Hendricks expects a strong challenge from a well-balanced Tuskers side but remains confident in his team’s focus on playing quality cricket throughout the four days.

“We know the Tuskers are a good side, especially in their home conditions. They’ve put together a strong team and bowling attack since getting back into Division 1,” he said. “We know they’ll come hard at us but our focus will be on playing good cricket over the four days.”

Moothee Ram Tuskers Squad

Malcolm Nofal, Chad Laycock, Kagiso Rapulana, Marcelo Piedt, Renaldo Meyer, Sean Gilson, Ntando Zuma, Bamanye Xenxe, Sean Whitehead, Daryn Dupavillon, Ziyaad Abrahams, Jean du Plessis, Yaseen Valli, Michael Erlank.

WSB Western Province Squad

Josh Breed, Kyle Verreynne, Kyle Simmonds, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Dane Paterson, Daniel Smith, Valentine Kitime, Oliver Whitehead, Jonathan Bird, Mbulelo Dube, Kashief Joseph, Juan James, Tshepo Moreki.