Dolphins sign Proteas keeper

Dane Vilas

Dane Vilas

Published Apr 3, 2017

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As the dust settles on a chaotic, at times confusing but, as ever, colourful campaign, Dolphins coach Grant Morgan and a special committee meeting will convene this evening, to finalise the playing staff for the 2017/18 season.

The one name that has already been confirmed is that of Proteas keeper/batsman Dane Vilas who will make the switch from the Cobras.

Vilas brings a wealth of experience, big-game temperament, and a buzz to the middle-order.

“He is a quality signing, and I am sure he will add a lot of value to our squad,” Morgan enthused.

“I worked with him back when he was coming through the ranks in Gauteng, and I was the Strikers coach. He went up to the Lions side not long after, and then he has gone on to achieve great things,” Morgan added.

Vilas, who will be 32 by the time the season starts, has penned a two-year deal, and remains one of a clutch of keeper/glovemen nibbling at the heels of higher honours.

When he had his chance, in India, he was up against it, with conditions that almost made a mockery of keeping and batting.

“He was very unlucky that he got his chance in India, where no-one really made a contribution. He has a lot of quality, with the bat and with the gloves. He is also a quality runner between the wickets, and that energy will come in handy,” Morgan explained.

Of course, the Dolphins still have former skipper Morne van Wyk in their ranks, too, and both men are more than capable of playing as specialist batsmen should the need arise.

The Dolphins, as promising as they were at certain stages of the recently ended campaign, still looked short when it really mattered.

They stumbled badly at the end of the Momentum One-Day Cup, having been in control of their destiny going into the last week of the round-robin stages.

Since then, Independent Media has learnt that paceman Craig Alexander and top-order batsman Divan van Wyk have been released by the franchise.

Independent Media also understands that Keith Dudgeon, a youngster who has capped at youth international level, has also relocated to KZN from Gauteng, and may well be in line for a semi-pro contract.

Added to that, there are still several members who have contracts on the table, but they are in the midst of crunching the numbers.

Another familiar name in the Dolphins ranks may still be missing next season, as Proteas star David Miller has given no indication of leaving the Knights, for a return to Durban.

Miller settled in well at the Knights, and played a role in their breakthrough, Sunfoil Series-winning run.

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