Their Indian adventure now behind them, the Dolphins began preparing for the new domestic season at Kingsmead yesterday.
For the first time this season, coach Lance Klusener had virtually a full squad available, boosted by batting coach Dale Benkenstein who has just returned from England after he piloted Hampshire to promotion to Division One of the English County Championship.
Benkenstein is contracted to the Dolphins until the end of December and may continue working with them after that until he returns to England at the end of March next year.
The former trophy-winning Dolphins captain and all-rounder said he and his family would shortly be moving to live in Pietermaritzburg.
Having missed the opening matches of the four-day Sunfoil Series because of the Champions League in India, the Dolphins’ first challenge will be the 50-over Momentum One-Day Cup.
Their first match is against the Titans in Centurion on Friday night. It should be a glittering encounter with both teams able to call on their Proteas before the internationals head for New Zealand and Australia next week.
This means that Kyle Abbott, David Miller and Imran Tahir will be available for selection although all-rounder Ryan McLaren is doubtful because of a minor injury.
The selectors face a major challenge in balancing the team when they sit down to choose the players later today.
The new Cricket South Africa requirement that two black Africans must be included in the quota of at least five players of colour will certainly engage their attention.
With top-order batsman Khaya Zondo a sure pick, the likes of off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala and batsman Sibonelo Makhanya will contend for the other spot.
All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo, who showed flashes of promise in India, has now returned to school at Glenwood and it is not known whether, or how often, he will be available to play for the Dolphins before his Matric exams.
The explosive Cameron Delport, who struck a sizzling century for KwaZulu-Natal against Western Province in their 50-over match at Kingsmead on Sunday, must be favoured to open the innings with skipper Morne van Wyk. - The Mercury