Dolphins still in search of peak performance
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins currently occupy second place on the Momentum One Day Cup log ahead of their round six clash with the WSB Cape Cobras at the Pietermaritzburg Oval on Saturday, with coach Grant Morgan targeting a polished performance from his men.
There has only been one blemish on their 50 over card so far this season, a loss to the Warriors at home, however they only trail the Eastern Capers by two points and they have a game in hand over their 2017/18 title-sharing opponents.
With four wins and a loss to show for the first half of the campaign, Morgan is still on the look-out for an all-round team performance and despite the strong start he and his team are looking inward as they push for a semi-final spot.
“We have got to a place where we might not be executing our skills like we would want to but we are still getting over the line,” Morgan said.
“This Dolphins 50 over side is one of the best, if not the best, sides that I have ever coached. With this side we are not playing our best cricket and we can still get over the line.
“We have spent the last few days doing some introspection and working on the little areas that have annoyed us and that we want to put right.
“I think we have hit our B plus game but not our A game even though we have put in some good performances.”
The Cobras are always a formidable side and a tough opponent and Morgan knows that they will come to Pietermaritzburg with the bit between their teeth following the recent history between the two sides.
“We held the Cobras in Maritzburg at the end of the four day competition that prevented them from winning the trophy which will irk them.
“Then we went to Paarl and beat them earlier in the 50 over competition which will make it worse.
“This is going to be one of our biggest tests and we cannot afford to be at a B-plus level for this one.
“We really have to start moving into that A zone,” Morgan added.
There are a number of areas that Morgan has highlighted that the Dolphins need to improve on if they are to move into that ‘A zone’ he speaks of.
“We have to control our areas with the ball which in turn will help our fielding.
“The intensity has to be right so we need to run properly between the wickets, put the bad ball away and we have to nail our template.
“After our last few days of introspection we are putting the pressure on ourselves to do that,” Morgan explained.
The Dolphins will be without the services of Robbie Frylinck for the clash as the all-rounder aggravated his hamstring injury recently.
Coming into the squad for the first time this season are Sibonelo Makhanya and Lwandiswa Zuma while Kerwin Mungroo also returns to the set-up.
The match starts at 10:00 with gates opening at 08:00