Maharaj to lead Dolphins against Lions

Despite losing captain Marques Ackerman to injury, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will have a more than handy fill-in when Keshav Maharaj leads the team against the DP World Lions in the 4-Day Series starting on Wednesday at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.

Ackerman picked up an ankle injury during a warm-up session at Boland Park last week and was ruled out of the Dolphins second innings with the bat. The Dolphins eventually coasted to a five wicket win over Boland; however they now face the defending champion Lions in match two.

It is a quick turn-around for the Dolphins who returned to Durban on Monday and start again on Wednesday. Coach Quinton Friend says it's all about player management with just two days between fixtures.

"The boys had a recovery morning on Tuesday followed by a top-up practice, not too hectic," Friend said. "This was just to try and keep us fresh come Wednesday.

"These are the challenges that we have to face in this competition and it's going to be tough on the boys, but I think we've prepared mentally for this.

"It's important to keep continuity in the team but we need to also be smart, especially from a bowling point of view. We need to work out how we can keep these guys fresh for these four games."

The Dolphins will be excited to welcome an international star like Keshav Maharaj back into the side for the clash. Friend says that he brings professionalism and good energy to the squad when he plays.

"It's lovely to have Kesh around, he brings a really good energy to the group, and his experience will be massive for us.

"The important thing for us to find a way to get his leadership to help pull the team through and get the team playing good, consistent cricket for the four days coming up," Friend added.

The Dolphins and the Lions played out to a draw in their clash last season with weather interrupting what was shaping up to be a fascinating clash.

Friend understands that the Lions are a strong side, however he knows his Dolphins side are in good form going into the clash starting on Wednesday.

"The Lions are a good side. They are well drilled and well coached so it's going to be important for us to exploit some sort of weakness that we can find within the Lions team.

"It's going to be a really tough game and at the end of the day if you want to be in the top two of this competition then you have to beat the best.

"I think it's going to be a well-matched, even contest and we need to make sure that we focus on the skills and execution that will help give us a positive result come Saturday afternoon," Friend mentioned.

There are a few additions to the Dolphins squad for this week's clash with youngsters Gomolemo Phiri, Nqobani Mokoena, Semal Pillay and Slade van Staden coming into the squad with the injured Ackerman and the Namibia-bound trio of Jason Smith, Ottniel Baartman and Andile Simelane all absent from the squad.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad v DP World Lions

Tristan Luus, Khaya Zondo, Semal Pillay, Tshepang Dithole, Eathan Bosch, Aryan Gopalan, Bryce Parsons, Nqobani Mokoena, Keshav Maharaj (c), Okuhle Cele, Romashan Pillay, Hanu Viljoen (wk), Gomolemo Phiri, Slade Van Staden.