Dolphins determined to keep improving

Robbie Frylinck celebrates with his Dolphins teammates after bowling out Qaasim Adams of the Titans. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Robbie Frylinck celebrates with his Dolphins teammates after bowling out Qaasim Adams of the Titans. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Published Feb 22, 2017

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DURBAN - The Dolphins are looking ahead to their Momentum One-Day Cup double-header on home soil this weekend, and the Durbanites are eager to build on their memorable win over the Titans.

Their hero on Pretoria was veteran Robbie Frylinck, whose 19-ball half century set his second national record this season.

"It's been a good season, and it always helps as a senior player if you are producing the results," Frylinck explained.

He admits that he found himself in a very good space on Friday night, a space where he felt very good about getting the team over the line.

"I always back myself, and when I hit Morné (Morkel) for six, I thought I was hitting them quite nicely," he smiled.

The Dolphins' engine room has lost the likes of David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo in the past term to relocation and national duty, but Frylinck and company showed that there is still plenty of firepower.

"Losing a guy like David is obviously tough, because he is a match winner, but we definitely have a few guys who can give it a go at the end," he said, pointing to the likes of Calvin Savage and Prenelan Subrayen.

"I actually thought that Keshav (Maharaj) was the turning point for us," he added of his fellow all-rounder's cameo.

While the batting certainly came off, the Dolphins will want an improved showing with the ball, especially in terms of extras.

“We had had enough preparation going into the game and I felt we bowled really well with the wides being the only aspect that we would look to improve on.

“The standards we are setting are high and we want to maintain those throughout,” Frylinck challenged.

They now host the Lions, defending champions in the competition, and already with a win under their belts.

“The Lions are always a difficult side with a strong bowling line-up and strong batters,” coach Grant Morgan admitted, though pointing out that his side had the upper hand on the men from Gauteng this term.

With the weather around Durban this week, whatever strip the team's get is likely to have a fair amount of juice, and the runs that have characterised the early matches of the competition may come to an end.

Friday's match will be Maharaj's last involvement before he heads to New Zealand for the Test series, so his mates will be eager to send him on his way in style.

It has been a gloomy week around KZN, with much-needed rain, but the Dolphins have been in very good spirits.

They visited a school earlier this week, where a few of the fast bowlers showed off their dancing feet.

On Wednesday, they switched up their schedule and trained in Westville, trying out the Amla's new indoor centre.

And, amidst all that, coach Morgan has also not forgotten that their brothers in arms, the Sharks, start their Super Rugby campaign on Friday.

"It's a busy day! I've got my Superbru in order already," he quipped! "Sharks by five," he boldly added.

It's a big call, but Morgan's men know only too well that the coach hates sitting on fences. Roll on Friday.

Dolphins squad:

Cody Chetty, Rabian Engelbrecht, Sarel Erwee, Rob Frylinck, Keshav Maharaj, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Nipper, Calvin Savage, Mthokozisi Shezi, Prenelan Subrayen, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Morné van Wyk, Khaya Zondo (c).

Independent Media

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