Dolphins look to defend top spot

The only change to the Dolphins squad for Wednesday’s televised fixture sees all-rounder Kyle Nipper released to get some game time with Kwazulu-Natal Inland, and fast bowler Calvin Savage brought in.

 

As they sit on top of the table with two games to go before the competition takes a break, batsman Cody Chetty believes the Dolphins have cause for optimism not only because of the results they have achieved but because of the manner in which they have played the game.

 

“I think we’ve come along in leaps and bounds over the last three years and we’re looking to improve every game,” said Chetty.

 

“I think the brand that we play now is very exciting, which is good for the crowd and sport in general, which is entertainment based. Entertaining the crowd is a big plus for us.”

 

The Titans have lost the services of Dean Elgar after he was called up to the Proteas squad this week, and will wait to assess conditions - and the fitness of Theunis de Bruyn - before deciding who will replace him.

 

“Grant Thomson is back from injury so he’s in the frame, we’re waiting on Theunis to see what happens with him, and then we’ll make a call on whether one of the spinners comes in,” said coach, Rob Walter.

 

The Titans could breathe a touch easier after their bonus point win over the Lions on Sunday lifted them off the foot of the table, and a couple of victories this week would leave them in decent shape as they attempt to defend their title.

 

“It’s always nice to win and nice to do it in the way that we did, but I also felt in the first two games that, as much as it was disappointing to lose, we kind of played 80% of the game really nicely and then the key 20% was the bit that we got wrong and that hurt us quite badly,” said Walter.

 

“A large portion of that was our fielding - dropped catches seem to be contagious. But I knew that we weren’t far off, and as soon as we managed to get our energies right in the field, the results came with that.”

 

SQUADS

 

The Unlimited Titans: Albie Morkel (capt), Qaasim Adams, Junior Dala, Henry Davids, Theunis de Bruyn, Marchant de Lange,Heinrich Klaasen, Heino Kuhn, Grant Mokoena, Mangaliso Mosehle, Rowan Richards, Tabraiz Shamsi, Grant Thomson, Shaun von Berg

 

Sunfoil Dolphins: Ryan McLaren (capt), Craig Alexander, Cody Chetty, Cameron Delport, Tshepang Dithole, Robbie Frylinck, Keshav Maharaj, Sibonelo Makhanya, Ayavuya Myoli, Andile Phehlukwayo, Calvin Savage, Daryn Smit, Vaughn van Jaarsveld

 

 

HEAD TO HEAD – The Unlimited Titans v Sunfoil Dolphins

 

Matches Played                25

Titans Win                           10

Dolphins Win                       11

No Result                             04

 

MATCH STATS (MOMENTUM ODC)

THE UNLIMITED TITANS

SUNFOIL DOLPHINS

Highest Score

340/6  (Centurion 2014/2015)

317/4 (Centurion 2011/2012)

Lowest Score

73 (Pietermaritzburg 2005/2006)

164/9 (Durban 2007/2008)

Highest Individual Score

120 Faf du Plessis (Centurion 2011/2012)

142 Doug Watson (Centurion 2004/2005)

Best bowling in a match

4/38 Rowan Richards (Durban 20012/2013)

6/24 Andrew Tweedie (Pietermaritzburg 2005/2006)