Friend wary of Boland threat as Dolphins eye top spot in T20 Challenge

Dolphins head coach Quinton Friend acknowledged that his side will have to be on top of their game to claim victory against the unbeaten Boland in Friday’s CSA T20 Challenge fixture at Boland Park.

The Dolphins, also unbeaten thus far in the competition, head to the Western Cape for a busy weekend starting on Friday night, hoping to replicate the form that has seen them win three matches on the trot.

The Dolphins will then travel to Cape Town to take on Western Province on Sunday in another important T20 Challenge encounter. Both matches are crucial in the context of the play-off positions, as the Dolphins could go top of the log with a game in hand should they win on Friday and, then solidify that standing with victory over the WP.

Friend’s side have been on a good run, with two bonus-point wins in their last two matches.

They also welcome back Bryce Parsons, who returns to the side after the SA A tour of India. Looking ahead to Friday’s clash in the Cape Winelands, Friend feels he has a good idea of what to expect.

“The conditions in Paarl are usually a touch on the slower side, so we’ve been preparing accordingly for that. We know what’s coming our way, and Boland have started the competition really well and are playing good cricket,” Friend said.

“We’re going to have to be right on top of our game if we want to pull off another victory down there. The guys have had a few days to rest up and are ready for what will be another testing double-header weekend.”

Boland Park is a happy hunting ground for the Dolphins, as it was where they won the CSA 1-Day Cup last season. Heading into the clash, Friend believes that the entire squad has played a part in their strong start to the season.

The coach has highlighted the next two matches as key fixtures for the Dolphins.

“It’s been a total squad effort when needed, and I think we’ve been pretty ruthless through the first three matches. We’ve had a few players missing from the tournament so far,” he said.

“Six players with SA 'A' and a couple of injuries, and we’ve had to count on some of our younger players, and they’ve really stood up in Division 1 cricket. This weekend is definitely going to be a big one for us, and the team are well prepared for it.”

Province, meanwhile, are in good form, having won three of their five matches in the T20 Challenge thus far, including a nine-wicket victory over the Tuskers in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.

Bowlers Raeeq Daniels, Josh Breed and Mbulelo Dube set up the win with two wickets apiece to bowl out the Tuskers for 107. Opening batters Valentine Kitime (37) and Edward Moore (41 not out) then ensured WP chased down the target to claim their third victory.