Photo Credit: Ashley Vlotman/ Gallo Images
Following on from their epic CSA 4-Day Domestic Series triumph last season, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins have established another formidable squad for the new season as they look to add to their trophy cabinet.
Given the nature of domestic cricket in the country the Dolphins have had to bid farewell to a couple of players who became important parts of the set-up in their time at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
The Dolphins will be without the services of Keegan Petersen, Ruan de Swardt and Thando Ntini for the new season with the trio moving to Paarl, Potchefstroom and Pietermaritzburg respectively. The franchise continues to pride itself as a national feeder and that is once again evident with high performance players, Hlompo Modimokoane (North west) and Matthew Pollard (Free State), being awarded professional contracts.
“We want to thank the players that have moved on for their services to Dolphins cricket and we wish them the very best,” President of the KZN Cricket Union Yunus Bobat said.
“Letting players go is never a situation you want to find yourselves in, however it’s the reality of the professional game.”
Heading into the new campaign there will be a familiar face returning to Durban with fast bowler Okuhle Cele coming back to the Dolphins, the union, where his schooling took place as well as where his professional career began.
Cele left the Dolphins to go and play for the Momentum Multiply Titans but is returning to Durban and the Dolphins are excited to welcome him back.
Excitingly for Imraan Khan and his team, young Hollywoodbets Dolphins High Performance player, Odirile Modimokoane has graduated to a first professional contract with the Dolphins and will be on a rookie contract this season.
Modimokoane has been a prominent squad member across the formats for the Dolphins and has formed an important part of the successful Dolphins spin bowling team.
“It’s exciting for us as a union when the youngsters come through and show promise at the highest level and we have been impressed by what Odi (Modimokoane) has produced since stepping up into the Dolphins team,” Strydom added.
“To also have the likes of Okuhle coming back shows the appeal of the Dolphins and we are looking forward to having him back to bolster the squad for the new season.
The Dolphins selectors jobs were made much easier this year thanks to the efforts produced by the players, with many players achieving national honours throughout the season. Five Dolphins players represented the Proteas last season and a further six represented SA ‘A’ and SA Emergency, which shows the strength of the squad.
“We’ve shown faith in the bulk of the squad that won us the 4-Day Domestic Series title last season and we are hoping that this season the players, along with our coaching staff, can continue to grow as a unit.”
Along with the sixteen contracted players the Dolphins will also have the services of Proteas stalwarts David Miller and Keshav Maharaj to call on when they are available.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad 2023/24:
Keshav Maharaj (Proteas), David Miller (Proteas), Marques Ackerman, Ottniel Baartman, Eathan Bosch, Okuhle Cele, Tshepang Dithole, Daryn Dupavillon, SJ Erwee, Bryce Parsons, Andile Phehlukwayo, Grant Roelofsen, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, JJ Smuts, Prenelan Subrayen, Khaya Zondo, Odirile Modimokoane (rookie contract).
