Dolphins (cricket team)

The Dolphins were originally created as an entirely professional franchise team after the South African domestic format was restructured in 2004-05. Up until then eleven provincial teams, with various small changes, had competed in the Currie Cup since 1893-94.

Natal (as the province was then called) was one of the most successful teams in the 20th century provincial era with twenty title wins. In 1998-99, Natal became KwaZulu-Natal to reflect the political changes that were taking place in the country. The team won one more final title in 2001-02.

In 2004-05, the eleven provincial teams were rationalised into six new, entirely professional franchises, in all three formats. The Dolphins were the only squad that did not merge several other provincial teams to form the new side. In the Franchise-era, the Dolphins won only one outright title, with two others being shared wins.

In 2020, domestic cricket in South Africa was restructured and the six former franchise teams were dropped. In its place was a return to the more traditional two-division league format, with a total of fifteen professional teams competing due to the previously semi-professional provincial cricket being subsumed (effectively becoming Division 2).

The former name of KwaZulu-Natal (Coastal) could have returned during this time (KwaZulu-Natal (Inland) was granted first class provincial status in 2009), however the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union decided to maintain the brand recognition from the franchise era, with the new team continuing to be called the Dolphins.

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins home kit consists of black shirts and black trousers with green trim during limited overs competitions. The away strip for limited overs competitions is purple shirts and purple trousers with yellow trim.

Hollywoodbets are the Dolphins' primary shirt sponsors until the end of the 2019/20 season,[1] with local radio station East Coast Radio (ECR 94.5FM) their associate sponsor.

• CSA 4-Day Series (1) – 2020-21 ; shared (2) – 2004–05, 2005–06
• Momentum One Day Cup Winners (1) - 2019-20 ; shared (1) 2017/18 (shared with Warriors)
• Ram Slam T20 Challenge Winners 2013/14

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins finished as runners-up in the 2017/18 Ram Slam T20 Challenge, after losing to the Multiply Titans in the final at Centurion.[2]

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins reached the final of the 2017/18 Momentum One Day Cup after beating the Cape Cobras in the semi-final. The Dolphins played the Warriors in the final at Kingsmead, however the match was abandoned halfway through the Dolphins first innings due to persistent rain. The rain continued on the reserve day forcing the final to be abandoned, and the trophy was shared between the two teams.[3]

Players with international caps are listed in bold.

Name	Nat	Birth date	Batting style	Bowling style	Notes
Opening Batsmen
Michael Erlank		(1990-07-04) 4 July 1990	Left-handed	Right arm off break
Sarel Erwee		(1989-11-10) 10 November 1989	Left-handed	Right arm off break
Thamsanqa Khumalo		(1999-09-23) 23 September 1999	Left-handed	Right arm off break
Vaughn van Jaarsveld		(1985-02-02) 2 February 1985	Left-handed	Right arm medium
Middle order batsmen
Marques Ackerman		(1996-03-01) 1 March 1996	Left-handed	Right arm off break	Captain(First Class Cricket)
Cody Chetty		(1991-06-28) 28 June 1991	Right-handed	Right arm off break
Sibonelo Makhanya		(1996-03-07) 7 March 1996	Right-handed	Right arm medium
David Miller		(1989-06-10) 10 June 1989	Left-handed	Right arm off break	Limited-overs Only
Khayelihle Zondo		(1990-03-07) 7 March 1990	Right-handed	Right arm off break	Captain
Wicket-keepers
Grant Roelofsen		(1996-07-26) 26 July 1996	Right-handed		Opener
Jason Oakes		(1995-04-07) 7 April 1995	Right-handed		Opener
All-rounders
Eathan Bosch		(1998-04-27) 27 April 1998	Right-handed	Right arm fast
Robert Frylinck		(1984-09-27) 27 September 1984	Right-handed	Right arm fast-medium
Senuran Muthusamy		(1994-02-22) 22 February 1994	Left-handed	Left arm orthodox	Opener
Andile Phehlukwayo		(1996-03-03) 3 March 1996	Left-handed	Right arm fast
Calvin Savage		(1993-01-04) 4 January 1993	Right-handed	Right-arm fast
Spin Bowlers
Keshav Maharaj		(1990-02-07) 7 February 1990	Right-handed	Left arm orthodox
Smangaliso Nhlebela		(1994-06-02) 2 June 1994	Right-handed	Left arm orthodox
Prenelan Subrayen		(1993-09-23) 23 September 1993	Right-handed	Right arm off break
Seam Bowlers
Daryn Dupavillon		(1994-07-15) 15 July 1994	Right-handed	Right arm fast
Keith Dudgeon		(1995-11-07) 7 November 1995	Right-handed	Right arm fast-medium
Kerwin Mungroo		(1994-07-31) 31 July 1994	Right-handed	Right arm fast
Lwandiswa Zuma		(1996-07-11) 11 July 1996	Right-handed	Right arm fast
Okuhle Cele		(1997-07-09) 9 July 1997	Right-handed	Right arm fast

The above list represents the Dolphins squad for the 2019/20 season as well as uncontracted players who have represented Dolphins during 2018/19 and 2019/20.[4][5][6][7][8]

Former Dolphins cricketers include Proteas players Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes, Pat Symcox, Lance Klusener, Andrew Hudson, Errol Stewart, Dale Benkenstein, Imraan Khan, Morné van Wyk, Dane Vilas and Mthokozisi Shezi. Hashim Amla played for the Dolphins for many seasons before moving to the Cape Cobras. Kyle Abbott played for the Dolphins before moving to Hampshire on a Kolpak deal.[9]

International players to play for the Dolphins include Malcolm Marshall, Collis King, Hartley Alleyne, Nixon McLean, Eldine Baptiste, Neil Johnson, Sanath Jayasuriya,[10] Ravi Bopara, Graham Onions and Kevin Pietersen.

Current Proteas cricketers in the Hollywoodbets Dolphins squad include Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Imran Tahir, Andile Phehlukwayo, Robert Frylinck, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Khaya Zondo, Senuran Muthusamy and Daryn Dupavillon.

• South African Cricket Annual – various editions
• Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – various editions