Dolphins & Cobras return to strength

The Sunfoil Dolphins and Nashua Cape Cobras are expecting to be back at something approaching full strength for Friday’s crucial Momentum One-Day Cup clash at Newlands as they welcome back their South Africa A players.

Khaya Zondo scored 25 off 17 deliveries in the Sunfoil Dolphins defeat to The Unlimited Titans in Benoni on Wednesday.
Khaya Zondo of the Sunfoil Dolphins.

While the Cobras have five players in the South Africa A squad that plays its final game against the England Lions on Thursday, the Dolphins will benefit from the return of Khaya Zondo.

Sadly Dolphins all-rounder Ryan McLaren who was also in the SA ‘A’ squad, won’t be available for selection for either Friday’s clash with the Cobras or Sunday’s match against The Unlimited Titans at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead due to a niggling hamstring injury.

The national ace is however confident he will be fit and ready for Wednesday’s qualifying match should the Dolphins finish either second or third on the log at the end of the weekend.

The encounter is an important one for the Dolphins, who need to turn their fortunes around swiftly if they are to confirm their place in the play-off after a wretched weekend.

The Dolphins got their second half of the competition underway with a 45-run loss to the Warriors on Friday and a washout against the Knights on Sunday in which they were reduced to 45 for five.

“Everyone was a bit down after the weekend, but we came back supercharged on Tuesday. I think the boys were a bit fatigued from the back-to-back four-day games that we played,” left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj said.

“We just want to win our next two games and see where that puts us. Obviously a home final would be nice, but it’s not a train smash if that doesn’t happen – we just want to get into that semi.”

The match gets underway at 3pm and will be shown live on SuperSport 2 on Friday 6 February.