Andile Phehlukwayo and Imran Tahir will make their Dolphins return for the clash against the Cobras on Wednesday.
The Dolphins, who have won three matches and lost two, dropped to second on the One Day Cup standings after suffering a heavy defeat against the Warriors last Friday. They gain a major boost with the addition of Phehlukwayo and Tahir who both had magnificent ODI performances in their series victory against the Black Caps.
No 1 ranked ODI and T20 bowler, Tahir, ended with six wickets at an average of 32.66. Pheuhlukwayo chipped in with bat and ball taking four wickets @ 34.25 and scoring 59 runs which included an important support role to AB de Villiers in the first ODI to see SA go 1-0 up.
‘It is great to have the likes of Andile and Imran back,’ said coach Grant Morgan. ‘They have been absolute world-beaters for the Proteas and it will be good to have them back in the mix going forward in the One Day Cup.
‘With the likes of those two and Cameron Delport back in the mix, it’s definitely one of the strongest squads we could assemble.’
The Dolphins do not have a good record against their opponents this season and Morgan is hoping to change that on Wednesday, adding: ‘We really do owe the Cobras one considering we haven’t beaten them this season.’
The Cobras have been inconsistent throughout their One Day Cup campaign and have struggled to put together a winning streak. Their current record, in stark contrast to their opponents, is two wins and three losses, which has them firmly stuck at the bottom of the standings.
Captain Dane Piedt is looking for a far better showing from his charges.
‘What we need in the last five games, is to perform the basics well and execute our skills,’ he said. ‘We require even more clinical performances from all the players.
‘We have a very experienced unit who knows what is needed to power the Cobras to a win against the Dolphins.’
Piedt also offered some insight into their team selection after Dane Paterson returned from Proteas duty in New Zealand.
‘We will be bolstered by the return of Paterson, who represented South Africa in New Zealand,’ the skipper said. ‘We will definitely be fielding three seam bowlers. We must take care of lapses that undermine our effectiveness with bat or ball.’
