Dolphins riding a new wave of success ahead of Momentum semi

10 February 2015 - 02:24 By Khanyiso Tshwaku
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Dolphins coach Lance Klusener. Picture: SIMON MATHEBULA
Dolphins coach Lance Klusener. Picture: SIMON MATHEBULA

At the height of their powers, Lance Klusener and Dale Benkenstein were key components of the Dolphins limited overs unit that often competed for honours in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Benkenstein was captain when the Dolphins last won the 45-over competition in the 2000-2001 season. But the Dolphins' glory days are not over yet.

There has been a resurgence in the past two seasons, with the pinnacle being last season's Ram Slam T20 challenge. The pickings have been a bit slimmer in the 50-over format, even though there was a semifinal appearance against the Titans at home last season.

The difference between the sides was Heino Kuhn's 117-ball 102, which made light work of the 237 the Dolphins posted.

Whether the scars remain from that loss remain to be seen in today's Momentum 1-Day Cup semifinal at Kingsmead when the Dolphins take on the Titans once more.

The winners will be rewarded with a trip to Newlands to face defending champions the Cape Cobras. The Cobras and the Titans were both awarded last year's title after the final was washed out by unseasonal November Cape Town rain. The Momentum 1-Day Cup has yet to have an outright winner as the 2012-2013 final in Johannesburg between the Cobras and the Highveld Lions was also spoiled by the weather gods .

In the absence of marquee players like David Miller and with a dip in form for Morné van Wyk and Cameron Delport, Van Jaarsveld has stepped up to the plate superbly.

He said: "There are plenty of runs still left in my bag but it is every cricketer's dream to make back-to-back hundreds.

"It is work in progress and, when it comes to a rich vein of form, you want to stick to it as much as possible and keep going from strength to strength."

There is more at stake than just log points, especially in a season where the Dolphins have been slightly underwhelming after the gains of the 2013-2014 season.

At least they are forging themselves into a decent limited overs unit and, with their key strike bowlers in Craig Alexander and Ryan McLaren set to return, they will be a formidable unit.

The same can be said of the Titans with their explosive top six, even though their bowling has let them down on numerous occasions, especially at Supersport Park, where they have twice lost matches after posting 300-plus.

Said Van Wyk: "I would like to see the top order firing and making some good scores."

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