Dolphins' double-spin key in One Day Cup

Maharaj played somewhat of a backup roll to the more aggressive and experienced Tahir in their double-spin attack in their past two matches together. Coach Lance Klusener has banked on the pair in the past and they have delivered wickets.

As the season shifts from the four-day Sunfoil Series to ODIs, Maharaj admitted that he wasn’t sure how much he would have to adapt to the shorter format.

“I just think whatever the situation in the game calls upon is going to dictate the way I bowl. With Imran there, I suppose I have to bowl a bit defensively since he’s our attacking weapon at the moment,” Maharaj told East Coast Radio Sportswave.

The double-spin approach proved to be effective in the RamSlam T20 late last year. Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen did the damage there but with the latter still suspended for an illegal action, Tahir has stepped up in his place. Teams will be well aware of the Dolphins arsenal and the Cape Cobras will be the first to try dismantle their attack this year.

The current One Day Cup table leaders host the Dolphins in Cape Town and Maharaj said their opponents could well prepare a track to hopefully nullify their spin.

“To be honest we are not really sure what to expect, with us playing double-spin they may opt to go for a quicker wicket but having said that, I think the boys are prepared for whatever is thrown at us.”

The squad will also be bolstered by the return of regular captain Morne van Wyk. The wicketkeeper-batsman sat on the side-lines over the past two months to recover from a wrist-injury. Klusener fast-tracked the vastly experienced Van Wyk into the One Day side but that led to the omission of Daryn Smit.

Klusener admitted that he was struggling to vindicate Smit’s selection for the side and his absence was confirmed once Van Wyk proved his fitness in practice this week. Maharaj sympathised with Smit’s situation but could not fault the decision to select their regular skipper for the second half of the ODI season.

“It’s a bit unfortunate that Daryn has been left out but obviously with Morne coming back, it’s understandable that Daryn’s been left out. He’s done incredibly well, but it just shows the depth in our squad and how strong it is at the moment.”

“I think he (Morne) has a massive impact, especially as a leader, he obviously carries his weight and he’s shown that in the many seasons he’s spent here with us.”

The Dolphins face the Cobras on Friday at Newlands in Cape Town. Play gets underway at 2 pm.

Twitter - @gazza_jenks @ECRSportswave @SportswaveAndre

Facebook - ECRSportswave

Image Credit - Gallo Images