The Hollywoodbets Dolphins men’s and ladies’ squads for the upcoming season have been confirmed with a few exciting new faces joining the Durban-based sides.
Following the conclusion of the previous season, the Dolphins men’s side said goodbye to Grant Roelofsen, Andile Phehlukwayo and Odirile Modimokoane, who will be joining the Rocks, the Titans and North West respectively.
From a ladies’ perspective, there has been encouraging continuity with just Luyanda Nzuza moving the Knights on loan.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins Men’s team have bolstered their squads with some exciting young talent.
After some strong performances for the Dolphins over the past few seasons, former Kearsney College star Brad Porteous has been awarded his first full contract with the Dolphins and will be joined by 22-year-old, Hanu Viljoen who moves to Durban from the Northern Cape.
The right-hander boasts an impressive record in first-class cricket where he averages just shy of 60 from the 15 matches that he has played.
After impressing in his first stint with the Dolphins, young seamer Tristan Luus has been awarded a rookie contract along with the SA Under 19 team-mate and former Westville pupil Romashen Pillay.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins High Performance members, Banele Cele and Slade van Staden have been added to the greater Hollywoodbets Dolphins Men’s squad showing the strength in the Hollywoodbets Dolphins pipeline.
From a ladies’ squad perspective, they will be adding an exciting member to their squad.
Joining the Dolphins from the start of the new season will be the experienced Namibian international Yasmeen Khan.
Khan has played over 70 matches for Namibia in the T20 format and has the ability to cover the wicket-keeper/batter role if need be at the Dolphins.
There are a couple of newly contracted players in the Dolphins ladies’ set-up that have made the step up.
Nosihle Sisanda Ngubane makes the step up to a full contact. After impressing for the SA Emerging side recently Seshnie Naidu has also been awarded her first full contract.
The Dolphins men’s side will still have Keshav Maharaj and David Miller as their two Proteas-contracted players and the ladies’ side retain Nonkululeko Mlaba and newly Proteas-contracted Ayanda Hlubi as their nationally contracted players.
Once again, they’ll boast a core of hugely experienced players with the likes of Prenelan Subrayen, Khaya Zondo, Jon-Jon Smuts and SJ Erwee.
“We wish Grant, Odirile, and Andile all the best on their next chapter. They have all served Dolphins Cricket incredibly well. ” Dolphins men’s head coach, Imraan Khan said.
“With that said, we’ve retained a strong core of experienced players and added some exciting young stars that we feel are ready to make that step up this coming season.
“Having two SA Under 19 stars in Tristan (Luus) and Romeshan (Pillay) is also exciting and with Hanu (Viljoen) joining us we’re looking forward to hitting the ground running in the pre-season.
“Brad Porteous has become an important member of the Dolphins squad and we’re happy to have him on a full contract for the first time.”
After winning the CSA One Day Cup title last season, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Ladies will be confident that they can build on that win in the new season.
Dolphins Ladies head coach Angelique Taai is excited by the squad that she has at her disposal for the new season.
“It’s always a good feeling gathering at the start of the pre-season with the squad after a break,” Taai said. “We’re excited to welcome an international into our mix in Yasmeen (Khan), and to have her experience is exceptional and we are looking forward to the value that she can add.”
“Well done to all the players on their contracts and we feel we’ve got another strong squad of players for the new season.”
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Men’s Squad 2024/25:
Keshav Maharaj (Proteas), David Miller (Proteas), Sarel Erwee, Prenelan Subrayen, Khaya Zondo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Eathan Bosch, Ottniel Baartman, Andile Simelane, Daryn Dupavillon, Bryce Parsons, Tshepang Dithole, Marques Ackerman, Okuhle Cele, **Hanu Viljoen, *Brad Porteous, Jason Smith, **Romeshan Pillay (Rookie), *Tristan Luus (Rookie).
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Ladies Squad 2024/25:
Nonkululeko Mlaba (Proteas), Ayanda Hlubi (Proteas), **Yasmeen Khan (Namibia), Nobulumko Baneti, Alexandra Candler, Jade de Figueiredo, Nicole De Klerk, Kiara Fisher, Courtney Gounden, Zintle Mali, *Seshnie Naidu, *Nosihle Sisanda Ngubane, Kwanga Pinini, Nondumiso Shangase.
* – Newly contracted
** – New arrivals