Changes at the Dolphins..

[Wanderer]

26-year old Ahmed Amla will captain the Dolphins for the 2006/2007 season. Ahmed is the 3rd captain in as many seasons. Two seasons ago it was younger brother Hashim. He stepped down to concentrate on his batting. Last season of course, Lance Klusener took over.

Amla started playing Bakers mini cricket at the Tongaat Centre and has represented KwaZulu- Natal through all the age divisions. He toured Pakistan in 1999 as a member of the SA U19 team and played for SA “A” in the 2002/ 3 season. He captained the KZN U19 team.

Dolphins also have a new coach. Graham Ford has taken over from Phil Russel.

And news just in....Mornantau Hayward (Nantie), who played one season for the Dolphins, has decided to go back to the Eastern Cape Franchise, the Warriors. Seems like he wasn't happy with the offer the Dolphins made him and decided to call it quits.

Not surprising. When they signed Hayward last season, the Dolphins thought they were getting some firepower to their "pop-gun attack" (Klusener's words), but Hayward was on the injured list more often than not, and when he DID play, looked all out of sorts... Hayward was the best provincial bowler in the country in the 2004/2005 season, but he only played in 6 of the Dolphins' 11 SuperSport Series matches, and in the Standard Bank Cup (limited overs) he played in 7 of the 11 games.

[Wanderer]

Dolphins have signed 30-year old all-rounder Andrew Hall.

Hall, one of the most respected cricketers in SA cricket, made his first class debut 10 years ago in Gauteng. Hall is currently playing for Kent.

Well, the Lion's loss is the Dolphin's gain...

[adamberry]

If he keeps his form up that's a great signing, Hall looks in great shape at the moment.

Dolphins seem to be nicking people from Kent all of a sudden, Graham Ford's our director of cricket!

[Wanderer]

Hmm..so what are the odds Ford had a little something to do with his move...

Of course Hall owns property on the KZN coast..maybe thinking about life after cricket?

[adamberry]

Little early for that I'd have thought, but there's no harm in planning...

Well we'll know if Ford's involved if any of the following sign for Dolphins in the next year (all born in SA and Kent players): van Jaarsveld, Kemp, Dexter, Dennington... the list could go on and on!