Puttick out of Durban showdown
Cape Cobras will be the first visitors to Sahara Stadium Kingsmead for a Sunfoil Series match this season as the Sunfoil Dolphins hosts look to find some form in Durban.
A history-making captain in the form of Khaya Zondo will serve as the big motivation for the home side - the middle-order batsman will become the first black African to ever captain them.
However, he will need the support of his top order if he wants to make a winning start. In the absence of regular captain Morne van Wyk through injury, the Dolphins' batting has struggled.
Divan van Wyk was the stand-in skipper but failed to fire and has now been dropped. Sarel Erwee has instead been drafted into the squad.
“I’m certainly not happy with the way we’ve batted,” coach Lance Klusener said. “I don’t think we’ve been hard enough on ourselves when we’ve got in and that’s been a little frustrating. We haven’t scored enough runs in the first innings to get sufficient bonus points and that’s probably why we are fifth.”
The Dolphins, who lost to the Unlimited Titans by four wickets on the final day of their last game, have also brought in Mthokozisi Shezi from their opponents on a one-match loan deal.
On the other hand, the Cobras have been steadily improving. After back-to-back losses to start the campaign, they have drawn and won games, the most recent result being a 148-run thumping of the Warriors.
"It's extremely important for us to keep building now," coach Paul Adams said.
Andrew Puttick is on paternity leave while another key figure out is Robin Peterson.
But Matthew Kleinveldt, who has been outstanding for Western Province in the Sunfoil Cup, has been drafted into the senior side, along with Zubayr Hamza and Jason Smith.
"We've got some important players missing, but the young players have been performing well and it's a chance for them to impress," Adams added.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre @ECRSportswave
However, he will need the support of his top order if he wants to make a winning start. In the absence of regular captain Morne van Wyk through injury, the Dolphins' batting has struggled.
Divan van Wyk was the stand-in skipper but failed to fire and has now been dropped. Sarel Erwee has instead been drafted into the squad.
“I’m certainly not happy with the way we’ve batted,” coach Lance Klusener said. “I don’t think we’ve been hard enough on ourselves when we’ve got in and that’s been a little frustrating. We haven’t scored enough runs in the first innings to get sufficient bonus points and that’s probably why we are fifth.”
The Dolphins, who lost to the Unlimited Titans by four wickets on the final day of their last game, have also brought in Mthokozisi Shezi from their opponents on a one-match loan deal.
On the other hand, the Cobras have been steadily improving. After back-to-back losses to start the campaign, they have drawn and won games, the most recent result being a 148-run thumping of the Warriors.
"It's extremely important for us to keep building now," coach Paul Adams said.
Andrew Puttick is on paternity leave while another key figure out is Robin Peterson.
But Matthew Kleinveldt, who has been outstanding for Western Province in the Sunfoil Cup, has been drafted into the senior side, along with Zubayr Hamza and Jason Smith.
"We've got some important players missing, but the young players have been performing well and it's a chance for them to impress," Adams added.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre @ECRSportswave