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Dolphins keen to keep momentum going

cricket15 October 2024 09:23| © Cricket SA
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Marques Ackerman © Gallo Images

After their first win of the CSA T20 Challenge on Sunday, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins travel to Bloemfontein to take on the Knights on Wednesday hoping for a second win of their campaign.

Sunday's result was crucial for Quinton Friend and his team as they produced a strong all-round display with ball and bat to give their fans a taste of what they can achieve.

Wednesday's trip to Bloemfontein will be another tough assignment for the Dolphins, who take on a Knights team that have won a few games in the tournament, however they are winless at home so far.

With a number of game breakers in the Knights line-up Dolphins coach Quinton Friend understands that it's important to try and keep those players in check.

"We have to make sure that we have got plans in place to negate their power players," Friend said. "As long as we are doing our homework well and looking after our space then we will be fine.

"There were a lot of positives from Sunday's game against Western Province and we will want to make sure we implement those again on Wednesday.

"It was our first win on Sunday and it's crucial that we got that win, but now we have to build on that."

Looking back at their win over Western Province, Friend has a few areas that he can pin-point were the turning points for the team going forward.

"I think we bowled really well at the death. They only managed to score 32 runs off the last five overs which meant we were able to pull the total back significantly.

"From a batting perspective we had two good partnerships and one player that got 70 odd.

"We always want someone to get 75-plus and Marques (Ackerman) managed that for us. Then other guys can bat around him and build those partnerships.

"Hopefully there are opportunities for other guys to do that against the Knights on Wednesday," he added.

Despite the tough start to the season, Friend says his team are still positive about what they can produce from the rest of the tournament.

"The team are still in good spirits, and I am still happy with what is happening in and around the Dolphins space.

"There is a nice youthful influence coming through and we just need to make sure that they are ready to contribute when called on.

"Hopefully we can head to Bloem and get ourselves another win going into the final match against Boland next weekend," Friend mentioned.

The Dolphins are still without a few injured players with Eathan Bosch, Khaya Zondo and Tristan Luus all unavailable for selection due to injuries.

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS V KNIGHTS SQUAD: Brad Porteous, Prenelan Subrayen, Banele Cele, Hanu Viljoen, Bryce Parsons, Andile Simelane, Slade van Staden, Tshepang Dithole, Ottniel Baartman, Daryn Dupavillon, Jason Smith, Okuhle Cele, Marques Ackerman.

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY: Eathan Bosch, Khaya Zondo, Tristan Luus

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