Klusener wants fans back at Kingsmead
The Durban outfit launched their new logo on Thursday night in a bid to breathe fresh air into their brand and bring the Kingsmead faithful back to watch domestic cricket in the future.
Dolphins coach Lance Klusener believes the new look jersey and logo will inspire confidence in the team, but made it clear that good performances and silverware would be crucial in bringing fans back.
“I like the new logo, I think it’s good and it’s a step in the right direction. But what brings people back is what the team does on the field and as a coach that is my responsibility. I like to think in the last three years we’ve gone a long way to doing that,” Klusener said.
“We’ve won a trophy in the process and in the last season we’ve got to a stage where we are extremely competitive. We certainly feel we can win every competition and that is what brings people back to Kingsmead. Yes, logos and those things are good, but at the end of the day it’s how the team performs that will bring people back here.”
The One Day Cup gets underway in October which gives the Dolphins another two months of preseason preparation to sharpen their skills. Klusener said he was pleased with the work his players had put in already and was optimistic about the upcoming season.
“Preseason has been really good; the boys have been training at Prime. We started with skills in the beginning of August. We’ve still got two and half months before the competitive cricket really starts but it is probably the most important part of the season in terms of ironing out personal skills, making sure that individuals are ready for the season. Hopefully we can put everything together at the end of September and October,” Klusener said.
“I’m happy with the progress in winter so far. We’ve got half the squad overseas playing club cricket and by the looks of things we’ll have a fair share of our national players as well throughout the season. It all augurs well, but at the end of the day it’s what we turn up every day on match day and put on the field that will count. In terms of ground work, it’s looking good and we’re looking forward to hopefully having a strong season – I’d like to think we can win every competition.”
With a strong squad to choose from, Klusener was also confident that a number of young players would put up their hands and prove their mettle in summer.
“Sibs Makhanya has got a great pedigree having captained the SA U19s and Andile Phelukwayo as well. These are youngsters we have in training every day, guys we are trying to develop. They are wonderful talents but hopefully we can use the offseason and that small break we have to fast track their game so that when it comes time to win games for the Dolphins they can do that.”
The Dolphins take on the Chevrolet Knights in their first One Day Cup in Pietermaritzburg on 11 October.
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