Dolphins under-prepared - Klusener

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 12, during the Sunfoil Dolphins announcement of new coach at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on July 12, 2012 in Durban, South Africa Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 12, during the Sunfoil Dolphins announcement of new coach at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on July 12, 2012 in Durban, South Africa Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images

Published Nov 2, 2012

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Johannesburg – Dolphins coach Lance Klusener says his side will head into the opening One-Day Cup fixture against the Cape Cobras in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday as an under-prepared side, due to the recent rainfall in Durban.

“Preparation has been disastrous; we've hardly been able to get outside to practice,” Klusener said.

“We've done as much as we can and talked a lot, but in terms of the preparation, we've not had enough.

“There's been a lot of rain around.”

The Dolphins have not done well in recent years and, even though they improved during their four Sunfoil Series outings this season, they have yet to taste success.

“We obviously would like to win every game we play, but at the same time we have had weather affect three out of the four games we've played,” Klusener said.

“We have high expectations for the five or six weeks ahead. It will give us a good idea of exactly where we are.”

The Dolphins will see Proteas left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe making his debut for the team since signing with them in April this year.

“He hasn't had as much match practice as he would have liked,” the Dolphins coach said.

“He's a quality performer and I'm sure we'll see that in the weeks ahead.”

Meanwhile, Cobras coach Paul Adams has had to make do without the services of fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt, who took the place of Tsotsobe in the national Test squad.

They would, however, welcome limited-overs specialist Charl Langeveldt into the squad, along with the big-hitting Richard Levi.

Levi would be desperate to make up for his poor showing for South Africa at the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

The Cobras are currently top of the four-day standings and will be expected to carry that form into the 50-overs competition.

“The guys have been playing well, but obviously it's a new competition and a new mindset,” Adams said.

“It's a brand new season; last year is forgotten. We have to put all the expectations away and play each moment as it comes.

“Everyone is ready and hopefully we can hit the ground running on Sunday.” – Sapa

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