Dolphins can win title - Smit
Hollywoodbets Dolphins have made an impressive start to their Momentum One-Day Cup campaign.
The Dolphins have won three of their four starts and are currently top of the log.
Former Dolphins skipper, Daryn Smit, feels they are good enough to win the competition this season.
"They are title contenders. Without a doubt. The Dolphins are always a feared team. This not necessarily because they win a lot of trophies, but because they are capable of beating any team out there. What has been lacking somewhat is consistency. They have started this campaign well and they sure look like potential champions. It is now a question of whether they can maintain this form throughout the competition," Smit said.
Smit feels the batting is an area in which the Dolphins have made strides this season.
"Well I think in previous seasons the Dolphins' demise has been because of the batting. I think this season the batters have really come to the party. Morne van Wyk has done well at the top of the order. He scored that great hundred in a losing cause in Pietermaritzburg. Perhaps letting go of the captaincy has taken a bit of pressure off him. Vaughn van Jaarsveld has been in terrific form and has hit the ball really nicely. Even when the team has been in trouble, the likes of Khaya Zondo and Sibonelo Makhanya have come to the rescue. The bowlers have also done their job, but I think the big turnaround has been with the bat this season. Top of the log after four games is a good place to be," Smit added.
The Proteas, meanwhile, will shortly play a three-Test series in New Zealand. The Proteas are third in the Test rankings and New Zealand fifth. Smit feels home conditions should level the playing field somewhat for the Black Caps.
"I think going and playing cricket in New Zealand is never easy. The conditions are similar to those in England. This in terms of the weather and in being somewhat friendly to seam bowling. So it tends to be tough for the batters. I do think that the Proteas are playing good cricket at the moment and will be confident. Hopefully the Proteas will win the one-day series. That would give them a psychological advantage. Looking at the balance and consistency within our Test squad, I would like to believe that the Proteas have what it takes to win this Test series," Smit concluded.
The first of three Tests will start in Dunedin on 7 March.
Former Dolphins skipper, Daryn Smit, feels they are good enough to win the competition this season.
"They are title contenders. Without a doubt. The Dolphins are always a feared team. This not necessarily because they win a lot of trophies, but because they are capable of beating any team out there. What has been lacking somewhat is consistency. They have started this campaign well and they sure look like potential champions. It is now a question of whether they can maintain this form throughout the competition," Smit said.
Smit feels the batting is an area in which the Dolphins have made strides this season.
"Well I think in previous seasons the Dolphins' demise has been because of the batting. I think this season the batters have really come to the party. Morne van Wyk has done well at the top of the order. He scored that great hundred in a losing cause in Pietermaritzburg. Perhaps letting go of the captaincy has taken a bit of pressure off him. Vaughn van Jaarsveld has been in terrific form and has hit the ball really nicely. Even when the team has been in trouble, the likes of Khaya Zondo and Sibonelo Makhanya have come to the rescue. The bowlers have also done their job, but I think the big turnaround has been with the bat this season. Top of the log after four games is a good place to be," Smit added.
The Proteas, meanwhile, will shortly play a three-Test series in New Zealand. The Proteas are third in the Test rankings and New Zealand fifth. Smit feels home conditions should level the playing field somewhat for the Black Caps.
"I think going and playing cricket in New Zealand is never easy. The conditions are similar to those in England. This in terms of the weather and in being somewhat friendly to seam bowling. So it tends to be tough for the batters. I do think that the Proteas are playing good cricket at the moment and will be confident. Hopefully the Proteas will win the one-day series. That would give them a psychological advantage. Looking at the balance and consistency within our Test squad, I would like to believe that the Proteas have what it takes to win this Test series," Smit concluded.
The first of three Tests will start in Dunedin on 7 March.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre