Dolphins rue missed chances in semi

IT was a matter of close but no cigar for the Dolphins on Sunday in the MTN Domestic Championship semi-final in Bloemfontein, and they are left to rue what could have been this week.

Convenor of selectors Jay Naidoo told The Witness yesterday that there was a genuine sense of frustration among the team at missing out after getting so close.

“For sure we had our chances to win, but we just didn’t get that one top order batter who played through the innings for us,” Naidoo pointed out.

The trio of Ahmed Amla (37), HD Ackermann (27) and Jon Kent (39) all got in, but crucially failed to provide the base for a late assault on the 253-run target. “If you look at the Eagles, from 40-odd for three they got one big partnership and that made the difference,” Naidoo continued.

Loots Bosman (95) and skipper Boeta Dippenaar (71) rescued a stumbling home innings with a pivotal 125-run stand for the fourth wicket. “Loots is obviously an attacking player, and he rode his luck a bit,” Naidoo said. “If one of our batters who got in had batted on, it would have certainly made things much easier for the likes of Daryn [Smit] at the end of the innings.”

The Dolphins still fancied their chances at the halfway stage, despite a 44th over assault by Dillon du Preez, which harvested 19 runs. “That over did hurt us a bit, but if you had offered us 250 to chase on that deck before the start, we would have backed ourselves to get it,” he said.

Naidoo said the loss of limited-overs maestro Sanath Jayasuriya was keenly felt, and said the side was looking forward to “Sunny’s” return from the tri-series in Dhaka.

“His experience with the ball in the latter stages would have been vital, and obviously we all know what he can do with the bat,” Naidoo said.

The Dolphins now have a decent break to reflect on what could have been before the start of the Standard Bank Pro20 series next Friday. “We have a tough start [away games to MTN finalists the Eagles and the Titans], but if we can steal one win out of those two it will stand us in good stead to make the semis,” an upbeat Naidoo said.

He also revealed that Jayasuriya will be back in time for the second clash of that tournament, against the Titans on January 25.

A Jayasuriya blitz just before he departs KZN may yet prove to be just what the doctor ordered for Amla and his troops.

The Pro20 series offers the Dolphins one final chance of silverware in a season where they have steadily improved without ever really dominating proceedings.

Dolphins looking to cause an upset in Bloem despite Jayasuriya's absence

The Nashua Dolphins go into their MTN Domestic Championship semifinal against the Gestetner Diamond Eagles at the Outsurance Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday confident of causing an upset against the side that finished at the top of the log.

After qualifying by finishing fourth on the log, the Dolphins tackle the more fancied Eagles who finished 13 points ahead of them after the round-robin stages, without the services of Sanath Jayasuriya, who has been recalled to the Sri Lankan team for a tri-series in Dhaka and Johann Louw, who pulled a hamstring two weeks ago.

"Johann will only be available again if we reach the final. Sanath is on international duty for Sri Lanka and is highly unlikely to make the final," said Yashin Ebrahim, the Dolphins coach.

Despite these setbacks, the Dolphins are quietly confident of beating the Eagles with the squad they have. They have also introduced 21-year-old Cameron Delport to the team as a replacement for Jayasuriya. The former Westville Old Boy is a hard-hitting left-handed batsman who made his senior debut against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth last week.

"Both the experienced players will be missed. However, we have enough experience and depth in the team to compete. The boys are confident, focused and positive ahead of the big game. Barring any last-minute injuries, Cameron will open with Imraan Khan. I think he is good enough to perform at this level and gives us an extra option as a medium-pace bowler as well," Ebrahim said.

The Dolphins were well-beaten in their two pool matches against the Eagles, losing by five wickets with 11 overs to spare in Durban and by six wickets with an over to spare in Kimberley, but this does not concern Ebrahim.

"Losing both the league games to the Eagles counts for nothing. This is a one-off and anything can happen," he said.

The winner of Sunday's semifinal will play the Nashua Titans, who thrashed the Western Cape Cobras by nine wickets on Friday night.

Odds against Dolphins win after Sanath leaves for Dhaka

THE KZN Dolphins will meet the table-topping Diamond Eagles in the second semi-final of the MTN Domestic Championships tomorrow.

The winner will go through to Friday’s final against the winners of last night’s encounter at SuperSport Centurion, which saw the star studded Titans entertaining the Cobras.

That the Dolphins have regrouped in time to get into the semis is no small feat, in a season that was descending into mediocrity.

The form of Imraan Khan at the top of the order has been one of the few consistencies of a season that may yet be re-ignited by a winning end to the 45 over competition.

Khan has outshone even the mercurial Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya, who is currently in Dhaka.

The other significant plus for the KZN franchise has been captain Ahmed Amla’s steady form with the bat. He and Khan hold the key for a Dolphins line-up, which has considerably deep batting, with talented all-rounder Morne van Vuuren having batted as low as nine.

What the Dolphins have to improve on mostly is their bowling, particularly in the powerplays. This is perhaps where Jayasuriya’s golden arm will be sorely missed, as his wily darters worked well at the death of several innings.

The Dolphins have suffered severely in this regard, with the visit to Potchefstroom to face the Lions earlier this season a brutal example.

Jean Symes churned out a classy 146 while Vaughn van Jaarsveld bludgeoned a 56- ball century.

With the experienced Johann Louw also missing, the likes of Yusuf Abdullah, Jon Kent and Ugasen Govender will be under pressure to foil a formidable Eagles batting card, which includes the hard-hitting Loots Bosman, Morne van Wyk and the vastly improved Dean Elgar.

The Eagles spin duo of Con de Lange and Thandi Tshabalala will also pose a threat, and the form of stalwart HD Ackermann in the middle overs will be crucial.

The Eagles have already beaten Amla’s men twice this season, the first a five-wicket cruise at Kingsmead.

All in all, with home-ground advantage, a better team on paper and two victories over their opponents this season, the odds are heavily stacked towards an Eagles triumph.

But as Dolphins convenor of selectors Jay Naidoo explained this week, form counts for very little when it comes to the business end of a knockout tournament.

Dolphins left with opener dilemma after Sanath Jayasuriya bids farewell

The Nashua Dolphins have at least improved on their record in the MTN Domestic Championship last season, edging up from fifth to fourth and securing the last semi-final place.

After a poor start to the competition, in which they lost their first three matches, the Dolphins improved to such an extent that they won four out of five matches completed, with two abandoned because of rain.

With Sanath Jayasuriya yesterday failing in his bid to stay on for Sunday's semi-final against the Eagles, the main problem the Dolphins have is finding an opener to take his place.

The selectors, who meet tomorrow to finalise the squad to travel to Bloemfontein, will probably have to choose between Grant Rowley and Cameron Delport.

Experienced Rowley, despite a disappointing season to date, must surely be favoured to get the nod over 19-year-old Delport, who made his senior team debut in the Dolphins' three-wicket victory over the Warriors on Sunday.

Coach Yashin Ebrahim was delighted with the Dolphins' last-ball win over the Warriors on a slow St George's Park pitch, with Jon Kent made man of the match for a superb innings of 86, which included 10 fours in 119 balls. He shared a key fourth-wicket partnership of 109 with H D Ackerman (46), and that, added to a late cameo from Daryn Smit (26), enabled the Dolphins to squeeze home by three wickets on the last ball.

"Kentie played out of his socks, and H D's experience was also very important," said Ebrahim soon after the team returned to Durban yesterday. The Dolphins had already secured their semi-final place on Friday night, but it was important to go into the semi-final with winning momentum.

The rain-out on Friday was the second consecutive match lost to inclement weather in Durban. Next season, Cricket South Africa should consider awarding more day fixtures for the Dolphins in Durban, since the rain generally comes at night.

The Dolphins will have a well-earned rest today, with the build-up to Sunday's semi-final starting in the nets tomorrow.

Dolphins slither into semis : courtesy Sanath Jayasuriya

A night of frustration at a wet Kingsmead eventually finished happily for the Dolphins when they qualified for the MTN Domestic Championship semifinal courtesy of a tight five-wicket victory for the Cobras over the Warriors at Newlands

The Dolphins, who earned two points from last night's rained-out match against the Titans, now cannot be overtaken by the fifth-placed Warriors, who are six points behind with just Sunday's match between the two sides to be played in Port Elizabeth.

Even if the Warriors win with a bonus point, they will still finish a point behind the Dolphins who will now play the table-topping Eagles in the first semi on Friday next week.

On a night when play was interrupted three times by rain, the patient crowd of about 2 000 at last had the pleasure of seeing Sanath Jayasuriya at his best.

The 39-year-old Sri Lankan star has kept his powder dry this season, scoring only 71 runs in eight innings at an average of 8.87 before last night. But the force was finally with the destructive left-hander under lights when he smashed 58 in just 36 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.

Titans opening bowler, Basheeru-Deen Walters, will reflect ruefully on his three-over spell at the start of the Dolphins innings when he was brutally taken apart by the left-hander.

His first over went for 17, including a trademark square cut for six into the old West stand, while his third also went for 17

Some of Jayasuriya's boundaries were hit with all the tremendous power he exercised when he was in his pomp, particularly square of the wicket.

It was all too good to last, of course, and he eventually fell to left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe who achieved the remarkable feat of bowling five consecutive dot balls to him in the 11th over of the innings when the Dolphins had raced to 87.

The Sri Lankan, frustrated by the spinner's canny bowling, smashed the sixth delivery straight back to him and the jubilant Van der Merwe could hardly avoid the missile that buried itself in his hands.

Facing a rain-recalculated Titans' total of 172 in 33 overs, the Dolphins were still ahead of the run-rate when they reached 97-4 in 16.2 overs, despite Van der Merwe putting the brakes on the innings after Jayasuriya's departure.

But then the rain, which had already paid the ground two visits, returned with a vengeance and the match was abandoned 22 balls before it could be declared a legitimate game.

Dolphins & Titans game ends in no result despite mind-numbing assault by Sanath Jayasuriya

The MTN Domestic Championship match between the Nashua Dolphins and the Easterns Titans finished in no result, despite a mind-numbing assault by Sanath Jayasuriya, due to rain at Kingsmead on Friday.

The Dolphins were chasing a Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 172 in 33 overs and had reached 97 for four in the 17th over when rain returned for the third time in the match.

Jayasuriya had been impossible to bowl at in the early stages of his innings as he slammed 58 off 36 balls, but Roelof van der Merwe dismissed him in his first over, and the left-arm spinner and captain Pierre Joubert managed to lower the Dolphins run-rate from more than nine an over to 5.93 at the interruption.

Kingsmead has not been a happy hunting ground for the left-hander in the past, but on Friday night it was his lair as he tore into the bowling with tigerish ferocity. Jayasuriya lashed nine fours and two sixes and certainly put a smile back on the dials of the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union administrators who signed him.

But as he has so frequently done in the past, it was Van der Merwe (3.2-2-2-1) who turned the tide the Titans' way when he bowled Jayasuriya five dot balls in his first over and then clung on to a fierce drive off the last delivery.

And with Joubert (5-0-21-2) darting the ball both ways off the pitch at the other end, the Dolphins batsmen did not know whether to continue in Jayasuriya's attacking vein or rebuild.

Joubert accounted for both Ahmed Amla, brilliantly caught off a slower ball by Blake Snijman for 10, and HD Ackerman, trapped leg-before for two.

The Titans had also struggled against an impressive spell of spin bowling by Jayasuriya to score just 153 for five in their 33 overs.

The Titans, who were sent in to bat, suffered two rain breaks during their innings and were never able to score at any great speed.

The umpires first called the players off the field after 27 overs with the Titans on 114 for five. They returned for 10 minutes and 3.2 overs before another rain delay further reduced the match from 43 to 33 overs a side.

Faf du Plessis had looked well set in compiling 27 not out before the 78-minute second rain delay meant the Titans returned with just 16 deliveries left in their innings.

Du Plessis added 20 more runs to his tally in the limited time available to him to ensure the Dolphins would still need to chase a challenging Duckworth/Lewis revised target.

Jayasuriya took two for 26 in eight overs and his team-mates were hoping the Kingsmead crowd would finally see some fireworks from the Sri Lankan great's bat as well.

Before the rain delays, youngsters Van der Merwe and Pieter Malan had shared a third-wicket stand of 42 off 46 balls, but both would sell their wickets too cheaply when well set.

Titans openers Gulam Bodi and Snijman took a while to get into gear against fiery new-ball bowling from Quinton Friend and Yusuf Abdullah.

Bodi, stumbling and falling in going for a single, was run out for 13 and Snijman (12) then edged Ugasen Govender to gully.

Van der Merwe gave the Dolphins a scare when he drove fast bowler Govender straight back over his head for six, but the wily Jayasuriya killed off a promising innings of 30 off 32 balls when he bowled the batsman, Van der Merwe backing away and trying to cut a faster delivery.

Jon Kent picked up the wicket of Malan for 34, the batsman hooking straight to deep square-leg and leaving the field obviously frustrated at not having made better use of a start.

Farhaan Behardien (0) was then totally deceived by the flight of a Jayasuriya delivery and went back to a quicker ball that comprehensively bowled him, the wicket being greeted by the first onset of the rain.

--> Full Scorecard

Disappointing performance for Dolphins | Sanath Jayasuriya in SA

There are now only two matches remaining in the competition for Sri Lankan import Sanath Jayasuriya to impress.

On Friday he failed again, edging Charl Langeveldt to be caught behind for two. So far he has scored 71 runs at an average of 8.87 with a highest score of 34, a disappointing tally when so much was expected of him.

"It can happen to anyone," Amla said.

"The guys are all very supportive, but so far he just hasn't been able to get going. He's probably working harder than anyone and he's hitting the ball well in the nets, but it's just not happening in the middle.

"On the plus side, he's playing a big role for us with the ball."

Amla said it was possible that Jayasuriya would be moved down the order for his final two matches before he joins the Sri Lankan squad for their ODI series against Bangladesh.

"He won't be available for the semis anyway, so maybe now's the time to give someone a chance in his spot," Amla said.

Dolphins confident of making semis | MTN Chmapionship

Sanath Jayasuriya will be hoping to lead the Nashua Dolphins to their first win in the MTN Domestic Championship this weekend.

The Sri Lankan star, who has failed to reach double figures (six, one, zero) so far this season, will be looking to end his run of poor form with an impressive display against the Nashua Cape Cobras on Sunday as the Dolphins return to action after an eighteen-day break, due to the postponement of the inaugural Champions League Twenty20.

"He's worked hard and is looking good in the nets. He has also just returned from a break to Sri Lanka and has been training there as well. Look, we know the type of player he is and I'm quite sure he will bounce back. Three of our next four games are day games so that will help him as well," Jay Naidoo, Manager of Playing Affairs at the Dolphins told SuperCricket.

After losing their opening three games, the Dolphins find themselves in sixth spot on the log and will need to get back to winning ways if they intend making the semifinals.

"We are still quite confident of making the semis. If you look at the log, one win will bring us level with the Warriors and the Lions.

"Only the Lions have beaten us comprehensively so far this season. The other games against the Eagles and Titans were close and could have gone our way. The players know what they need to do and I'm sure they will turn the corner," he added.

A squad of 12 have been named for the next two MTN Domestic Championship matches.

They play the Nashua Cape Cobras at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday and then travel to Kimberley to take on the Gestetner Diamond Eagles at the De Beers Diamond Oval on Tuesday.

Dolphins squad:

Ahmed Amla (Captain), Imraan Khan, HD Ackerman, Sanath Jayasuriya, Jon Kent, David Miller, Johann Louw, Daryn Smit, Alfonso Thomas, Yusuf Abdulla, Quinton Friend, Pierre de Bruyn

Dolphins searching for that elusive win | Jayasuriya in South Africa

The battered and bruised Nashua Dolphins, without a win in all competitions this season, will be up against it when they kick-start their season again on Sunday.

Having had their programme disrupted by the bombings in Mumbai two weeks ago - they were due to play in the lucrative Champions League Twenty20 over a 10-day period - the Dolphins get down to business with a game against the Cobras at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

Two days later they have another struggle on their hands when they travel to the De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley to meet the Eagles.

"Both are tough games," said Jay Naidoo, convener of the Dolphins selection committee. "We are in a desperate situation and need to start winning, or we could be left at the bottom end of the table. In order to do that we need to get our batting and bowling working in tandem."

However what Naidoo failed to mention was that the Dolphins skipper, Ahmed Amla needs to look at different tactics when approaching matches in the season's competitions.

Naidoo said: "It's been a tough season - but no excuses. We have not had the best players on the field for us all at once. Now that we seem to have all players available plus a break due to the postponement of the Champions League, I believe the cobwebs have been blown away and there should be a big improvement."

Sanath Jayasuriya is the man the Dolphins are looking to get fired-up. He has yet to get to double figures in the three matches he has played. If he kick-starts the ailing Dolphins top order, it could be a different scenario.

The selectors have announced a 12-man squad, which includes Alfonso Thomas.

David Miller, who played against the Nashua Titans two weeks ago, retains his place ahead of Grant Rowley, who has been axed.

Squad: Ahmed Amla (capt), Imraan Khan, HD Ackerman, Sanath Jayasuriya, Jon Kent, David Miller, Johann Louw, Daryn Smit, Alfonso Thomas, Yusuf Abdulla, Quinton Friend, Pierre de Bruyn

Sanath Jayasuriya’s call-up by Sri Lanka minimal loss to Dolphins

Top Dolphins signing Sanath Jayasuriya’s call-up to Sri Lanka’s national one-day side for the series with home side Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in January means he will only miss the semi-finals and final of the MTN one-day series in the unlikely event of the struggling KZN side advancing to the play-offs.

The Dolphins manager of playing affairs, Jay Naidoo, told Weekend Witness yesterday that Jayasuriya (39) is currently back in Sri Lanka, but he will return to Durban next week.

Naidoo said Dolphins coach Yashin Ebrahim had spoken to the agent of the highly experienced Sri Lankan and it was confirmed that Jayasuriya will be available for the seven remaining preliminary matches and the entire Pro20 Series that follows.

“A clause was included in Jayasuriya’s contract with the Dolphins that should he miss matches, barring because of injury, it would affect his remuneration,” said Naidoo.

Jayasuriya, who is still contracted to Sri Lanka cricket, was given permission by his board to join the Dolphins for the limited-over section of their season on condition that any selection for his national team during that period would be honoured.

The hard-hitting batsman and spinner has 421 ODI appearances behind him, but he has misfired with bat and ball in the three Dolphins matches so far. Naidoo, who is also convenor of the selection panel, is convinced that the player’s class will prevail.

Naidoo said Jayasuriya was signed on a contract befitting his status but his total package — paid in U.S. dollars — “is well below the exaggerated sums mentioned in certain sections of the media”.

“Sanath has yet to come good, but he is a complete professional and has had a positive influence on the squad,” said Naidoo.

The Dolphins, yet to win a game in seven outings this season, and bottom of both the four-day and 45-over logs, play four MTN matches in eight days, beginning against the Cape Cobras in Cape Town next Sunday and ending against the Lions at the PMB Oval on Sunday, December 21.

“If we win those matches, that takes us through to the semis,” said an optimistic Naidoo.

Cricketing legend ready to hit Durban curries for a six | Jayasuriya in South Africa

Sri Lankan cricketing legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who recently joined the Nashua Dolphins as an opening batsman, is looking forward to sampling Durban’s famous bunny chow.

The 39-year-old left-hander , who is contracted to play for the Dolphins until February next year, said he had not yet had time to explore the city but was eager to tuck into the local cuisine.

Jayasuriya, rated among the world’s top batsmen, said he was confident that he could handle Durban’s spicy curries.

“I eat spicy food at home, so I’m sure I can handle the curry here,” he said.

He compared Durban to his home town of Colombo, saying the two cities were similar.

“Both cities are situated on the coastline, the climate is very similar and the people are very friendly.”

He will soon be joined by his wife and three children.

“It is difficult for them to join me now, but as soon as the school term is over, they will come.”

He said that after the Dolphins’ defeat by the Eagles and the Highveld Lions, they planned to up their game against the Titans on Wednesday.

He will not be part of the Dolphins’ Champions League squad for the forthcoming fixtures in India because of his contract with the Indian Premier League’s Mumbai Indians.

The Dolphins will be leaving for Bangalore next month to take part in the Champions League T20 with the Free State Eagles. They will play against the finalists from the Indian Premier League and Australia.

Jayasuriya joined Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar at the crease as teammates of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. “That was a very good experience for me. It was the match against the Chennai Super Kings, and I had the opportunity to bat with one of the best batsmen of our time. We batted well and scored runs. It was a good game.”

The Times : Nov 23, 2008

Sanath Jayasuriya Arrives in South Africa | Nashua Dolphins

Friday, 14 November 2008

Sanath Jayasuriya landed on South African soil yesterday 13 November at OR Thambo Airport to a hearty welcome by the Nashua Dolphin team and management.

He was immediately whisked away to his first match for the Dolphins in the MTN Domestic Championship game in Potchefstroom against the bizhub Highveld Lions taking place today.

Happy to be finally be here, and looking forward to playing on South African soil, Sanath seemed relaxed and ready for an intense season of cricket with the Nashua Dolphins.

Jayasuriya to light up Potchefstroom | Dolphins

Sri Lankan maestro will spice up the local one-day series

NATURAL BORN HITTER: Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya will make his debut for the Dolphins in the domestic one-day series against the Lions in Potchefstroom

CRICKET fans have one compelling reason to follow the domestic limited-overs championship: Sanath Jayasuriya.

The Sri Lankan legend, who has scored a staggering 12875 runs in one-day internationals in a career spanning 421 matches, has joined the Dolphins for the season and has been included in the squad to play the Lions in Potchefstroom today .

Forming part of a formidable batting order that includes HDAckerman, captain Ahmed Amla and Jon Kent, Jayasuriya provides an attacking dimension that cannot be matched by any other domestic opening batsmen.

His canny slow left-armers might also prove vital to a Dolphin attack that has so far not once taken 20 wickets in any of the side’s first-class matches.

Their opponents will be without their captain, Neil McKenzie, who was suspended after showing dissent in last week’s round of first-class matches, and Andre Nel is still struggling with a knee injury.

Though the Lions’ batting has stroke makers such as Alviro Petersen, Stephen Cook and Vaughn van Jaarsveld, the bowling looks vulnerable, with Garnett Kruger the only bowler of proved class.

The defending champions, the Titans, who are away to the Eagles in Bloemfontein, should be regarded as favourites for the match, if not for the tournament. Their talented batting line-up is matched by an enterprising and potent bowling attack that includes three spinners: Roelof van der Merwe, Paul Harris and Imran Tahir.

It is perhaps their opponents on Sunday, the Warriors, who are the biggest threat to their supremacy.

The Eastern Cape men have arguably the best one-day bowling attack in the country, which includes South Africa under-19 captain Wayne Parnell, record-breaker Juan “Rusty” Theron, and spinners Robin Peterson and Johan Botha. Captain Davey Jacobs, who in 2004-2005 scored a hundred off 79 balls for the Eagles, is South Africa’s nearest equivalent to Jayasuriya.

It would, however, be foolhardy to discount the Eagles. The Free Staters are the only team to have won two titles since the formation of the franchises.

Veterans Boeta Dippenaar, Loots Bosman and Morne van Wyk will anchor the batting, and Ryan McLaren will spearhead the bowling. Spinner Con de Lange was the leading wicket taker in 2006-2007.

Sanath Jayasuriya gives Dolphins a huge boost

THE mere presence of legendary Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya in the Dolphins line-up is set to reinvigorate them for their opening MTN Domestic Championship match against the Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom today.

The Dolphins have recently completed a disappointing first half of the SuperSport Series, ending last on the table, and the 45-over format represents a fresh chance to get on the winning trail.

With 421 one-day internationals behind his name (12 875 runs and 310 wickets), the 39-year-old Jayasuriya should add a major thrust to the Dolphins squad and with the experienced HD Ackerman back from suspension and key all-rounder Johann Louw surplus to South Africa’s Test requirements, the Dolphins pose a danger to the home side.

Imraan Khan and skipper Ahmed Amla have shown good form with the bat and a winning start will be just the tonic the Dolphins need, although the KZN side’s bowling attack has been their Achilles heel this season.

Lions skipper Alviro Petersen carries a big responsibility at the top of the order and he will need strong support from the likes of Stephen Cook, Vaughn van Jaarsveld and the promising Jonathan Vandiar.

Neil McKenzie won’t feature in this televised match (SuperSport 2 and CSN from 4 pm) as he is serving a two-match ban for dissent.

A further incentive for the Dolphins is the inaugural edition of the Champions League Twenty20 to be played in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai from December 3 to 10.

The Dolphins and Northern Titans qualified after fighting their way into the finals of the Standard Bank Pro20 series last season.

The Dolphins leave for India in two weeks’ time and their first round-robin encounter is against India’s Rajastan Royals on Wednesday, December 3.

But for the moment at least, the Dolphins must keep their eye on the ball tonight in Potchefstroom, as they need to savour the taste of victory before heading on the path to the biggest prizes in provincial cricket’s history.

TEAMS
Highveld Lions: Alviro Petersen (capt), Craig Alexander, Richard Cameron, Werner Coetsee, Stephen Cook, Cliffie Deacon, Christiaan Jonker, Garnett Kruger, Jean Symes, Jonathan Vandiar, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Dane Vilas.

KZN Dolphins: Ahmed Amla (capt), Imraan Khan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Grant Rowley, HD Ackerman, Jon Kent, Pierre de Bruyn, Daryn Smit, Johann Louw, Saidi Mlongo, Yusuf Abdullah, Quinton Friend.
TV: live of SuperSport 2 and CSN from 4 pm.

Master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya to lift KZN Dolphins

THE Dolphins, after slipping to last on the SuperSport Series log this past weekend following five forgettable draws in five outings, receive a timely boost today with the arrival in Durban of Sri Lankan master blaster, Sanath Jayasuriya. And the former Sri Lanka captain was immediately included in the KZN franchise’s side for their opening MTN 45-over match against the Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom on Friday. The 39-year-old Jayasuriya was honing his renowned big-hitting skills at the Hong Kong Sixes over the weekend and will need to play a key role in uplifting the intensity of the Dolphins’ game. He has played a world record 421 one-day internationals for Sri Lanka, scoring 12 785 runs in the process with 27 hundreds and 66 half centuries to his name. Only India’s “little genius” Sachin Tendulkar is in the running to break that record and could well do so once his country’s impending seven ODIs against England are over. Jayasuriya, however, has still not hung up his bat for his country’s one-day side, so his personal duel with Tendulkar is not over. A 1996 World Cup winner with Sri Lanka when they beat Australia in the final in Pakistan, Jayasuriya is also a useful left-arm spinner with 310 ODI wickets behind him, and his presence could well put paid to Morn´e van Vuuren’s chances of making the Dolphins’ limited-over side this season, as the man regarded as one of the best one-day players in history is also contracted for the Standard Bank Pro20 Series that follows the crowded MTN schedule in late January. SS SERIES STANDINGS (halfway stage): 1. Northern Titans 54,62 points; 2 Free State Eagles 49,92 pts; 3 East Cape Warriors 42,24 pts; 4 Highveld Lions 39,22 pts; 5 West Cape Cobras 29,52 pts; 6 KZN Dolphins 26,54 pts. KZN Dolphins: Ahmed Amla (capt), Imraan Khan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Grant Rowley, HD Ackerman, Jon Kent, Pierre de Bruyn, Daryn Smit, Johann Louw, Saidi Mlongo, Yusuf Abdullah, Quinton Friend. KZN Coastal - to meet Boland in Paarl: Darren Govender, Myren Pillay, David Miller, Martin Bekker, Sarel Erwee, Greg Fotheringham, Bradley Barnes, Keshav Maharaj, Vyash Gobind, Ugasen Govender, Emanuel Mkhize, Craig Woods.

Sanath Jayasuriya - New Dolphins signing heads for SA

Sri Lanka star Sanath Jayasuriya arrives in South Africa on Thursday, and will join up with the Dolphins squad for their opening MTN Domestic Championship match against the Lions at Senwes Park, in Potchefstroom, on Friday. Dolphins supporters will have their first opportunity to see Jayasuriya in action at Kingsmead next Wednesday, November 19, when the Durban-based franchise take on the Eagles. The domestic scene will be dominated by limited-overs cricket from now until the end of February, beginning with the 45-over format (November 14-January 16) and then the Standard Bank Pro20 competition (January 21-February 20), before the completion of the SuperSport Series. Meanwhile, a 12-man squad for the Lions match was announced yesterday afternoon. It is a powerful, well-balanced team with H D Ackerman returning from his three-match ban, while Johann Louw is back in the franchise fold after playing for the Proteas in the limited-overs series against Bangladesh. Despite a disappointing run of form in the SuperSport Series, big-hitting Grant Rowley keeps his place in the team for Friday's match. He has been preferred to David Miller, who will play for the Amateur team in the South African Airways Provincial Challenge matches against Boland in Paarl this weekend. The selectors have chosen four specialist pacemen in the squad - Louw, Yusuf Abdullah, Saidi Mlongo and Quinton Friend - with Jon Kent and Pierre de Bruyn providing back-up. The Dolphins will also have the option of using the left-arm spin of Jayasuriya and the right-arm wrist-spin of Daryn Smit. The Dolphins played a practice match at Kingsmead on Friday night. Bowling all-rounder Alfonso Thomas, who is contracted to the Dolphins for limited-overs cricket only this season, is getting married in England next week and will miss the first two matches. Dolphins (v Lions on Friday): Sanath Jayasuriya, Imraan Khan, H D Ackerman, Ahmed Amla (capt), Grant Rowley, Jon Kent, Pierre de Bruyn, Daryn Smit (w/k), Johann Louw, Quinton Friend, Saidi Mlongo, Yusuf Abdullah. KZN Amateur team (for 3- and 1-day matches v Boland on Nov 13-16): Darren Govender, Myren Pillay, David Miller, Martin Bekker (capt), Sarel Erwee, Greg Fotheringham, Bradley Barnes (w/k), Keshav Maharaj, Vyash Gobind, Ugasen Govender, Emannuel Mkhize, Craig Woods.