Johannesburg - Dolphins' coach Lance Klusener looks to “force a result” when his charges take on the Warriors at Kingsmead on Thursday in the penultimate round of the Sunfoil Series.
“We obviously can't win the competition, but we are coming off a good win over the Cobras, and our challenge is to back up that performance with another one this week,” said Klusener.
The former South Africa all-rounder said he was trying to instil a winning culture in his team.
“In the past, I guess we sometimes accepted a loss, as long as it wasn't too bad, but I really want the team to buy into a winning culture going forward.”
Klusener singled out Kyle Abbott as the one player who had stood out for the Dolphins this term. The leading wicket-taker in the competition, he took an eight-wicket burst to win the match for the Dolphins at Newlands.
“Kyle has been fantastic for us, and that's why he is the leading wicket-taker. I asked the bowlers to step up, and he has definitely done that,” Klusener said.
“He bowls his overs, in the sense that he is not shy of hard work. Now we need the rest of the bowling unit to consistently back him up and then we will really be in business.”
Warriors' skipper Davy Jacobs has also seen Abbott at close quarters, and admitted he would be a handful.
“He has been a great performer for them for a number of years, and he has really kicked on this season. He had another big performance for the invitation side against Pakistan this week, and he will definitely be a threat,” said Jacobs.
He said his side would face the pace-setting Highveld Lions in their final fixture, and hoped to get in a decent game in Durban.
“I spoke to Kyle when we were in East London, and he said it doesn't look too promising, weather-wise. That is something we can't really control, but it would be great if we can get a game in.”
Sapa