Dolphins set to shine in MSL T20

Published Oct 19, 2018

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Durban – A total of 15 Hollywoodbets Dolphins players were snapped up at the player draft by the six franchises for the inaugural Mzansi Super League beginning on 16 November in Cape Town.

There were a handful of Dolphins players that were selected by the various teams early in the draft, showing the demand for the players from Durban.

In the opening round of the draft, following the selection of the overseas marquee players, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Vilas and David Miller were all picked up. Phehlukwayo was selected by the Cape Town Blitz, Miller went to the Durban Heat and Vilas to the Jozi Stars.

All of Phehlukwayo, Miller and Vilas have strong pedigrees and despite Phehlukwayo and Miller missing the first few rounds of the competition due to the Proteas tour of Australia, they will no doubt have a significant impact on the tournament on their return.

Vilas, who has come off a long season with Lancashire, has plenty of cricket under his belt and with him being available for the entire tournament, he was an early target.

Round two of the draft saw Dolphins all-rounder Robbie Frylinck go to the Tshwane Spartans. Frylinck, who has three T20I caps to his name, is a sought after player in any form of the game and will be a vital cog in the Spartans’ line up.

In the fourth round of the draft the Durban Heat snapped up another local talent in Keshav Maharaj. The left-arm spinner has a strong domestic T20 record and a lot of experience.

Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo joined Maharaj and Miller at the Durban Heat in the fifth round of the draft. Zondo, who is starting to make an impact at international level, will be an important part of the Heat’s middle order and leadership group.

In the sixth round of the draft the Paarl Rocks selected their first Dolphin in Vaughn van Jaarsveld. The left-hander has been one of the most consistent players for the Dolphins in recent years and will feature heavily in their plans.

The Durban Heat picked up another Dolphin in round eleven of the draft with veteran Morné van Wyk being selected. Van Wyk has played in eight T20 Internationals and has a T20I hundred to his name. He will offer value with both the bat and with the gloves behind the stumps.

Round 12 saw three of the Dolphins’ most promising young stars being selected. Sibz Makhanya, Eathan Bosch and Okuhle Cele went to the Cape Town Blitz, Paarl Rocks and Durban Heat respectively.

Makhanya will add fire power to the middle order while Bosch offers value with both bat and can bowl fast. Cele is an out-and-out speedster and could be devastating in the shortest format.

In the 13th round of the draft Sarel Erwee was picked by the Durban Heat while Calvin Savage was picked by the Jozi Stars. Erwee’s hard hitting at the top of the order and Savage’s versatility made them good acquisitions.

In the final round of the draft, young Dolphins seamer Kerwin Mungroo was selected by the Paarl Rocks. The seamer was crucial to Hollywoodbets KZN Inland winning the 2017 Africa T20 Cup and he will grow and learn a lot from this experience.

“We are incredibly proud of all our Hollywoodbets Dolphins players. It was fantastic to have so many of our men picked up in the draft, but I also have a sense of sadness for some of our stars that missed out.” CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom said. 

“This tournament is going to be hugely beneficial for cricket in South Africa and we wish all our Dolphins players the best of luck.”

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