Morgan demands more from his Dolphins

A healthy seven point lead at the top of the Momentum One Day Cup has not done much to appease demanding Dolphins coach Grant Morgan.

Morgan‚ whose team is on the verge of qualifying for an automatic place in the final of the competition‚ says he is yet to see a complete performance from his charges and wants them to finish the remaining two round robin matches with a flourish.

If the Dolphins win their remaining matches against the Titans on Sunday and the Knights on Thursday next week at Kingsmead Stadium‚ they will finish top of the log and qualify to host the final.

“We are almost there in the final but there is a lot of work needed to be done until we can confirm the status of playing in a home final‚" he said.

"I have not seen a performance from us where we brought our A game and dominated with the bat‚ ball and fielding.

"There were matches where we let it slip at crucial stages and put ourselves under unnecessary pressure.

• Dolphins coach Morgan praises new captain Khaya ZondoThe Dolphins coach Grant Morgan has heaped praise on the brave and fresh leadership style of inexperienced captain Khaya Zondo. 

"At the beginning of the season‚ we set a target of winning as many matches as possible and we have tried our best.

“There was never at any stage during the campaign where we took things for granted and our players are learning to be humble.

"There is no doubt that we are the team to beat as we are top of the log and we must know how to handle the pressure‚” said Morgan.

Teams that finish second and third on the log will feature in a play-off match to earn the right to visit the team that would have finished top of the log early next month.

“We have been trying hard under the circumstances to be competitive and we are on course for the final.”

At some stage of the competition‚ Morgan could not call on the expertise of star players Imran Tahir and Andile Phehlukwayo.

The two were on national duty but they are now available and they have added value to the side.

• Tahir and Phehlukwayo make Dolphins formidable for clash with WarriorsThe table-topping Dolphins have been boosted by the availability of Proteas duo of spinner Imran Tahir and fast bowler Andile Phehlukwayo for Friday afternoon’s Momentum One Day Cup clash against the Warriors at Kingsmead in Durban. 

“Imran (Tahir) and Andile (Phehlukwayo) have been exceptional since they joined us from the Proteas.

"But I must also give credit to all the players‚ especially those who made way for them in the side.

"Those players who vacated places for them played an crucial part in laying the foundation."

This week Momentum One Day Fixtures:

Friday: Warriors v Knights (St George`s Park‚ 2pm); Lions v Titans (Wanderers Stadium‚ 2pm)

Sunday: Cobras v Knights (Newlands‚ 10am‚ Dolphins v Titans (Kingsmead‚ 10am)

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport