Dolphins pull off major coup

2008-09-09 22:16

Christo Buchner

Johannesburg - The Dolphins have pulled off the biggest pre-season coup in South African cricket by negotiating a contract with Sri Lankan batting maestro Sanath Jayasuriya.

The 39-year-old Jayasuriya will swim with the Dolphins in the local ODI and Pro20 series.

Dolphins CEO Cassim Docrat said they have been negotiating with Jayasuriya for the past four months to play cricket in KwaZulu-Natal.

"Sanath arrives in South Africa in the first week in November. He will be playing for us when the one-day series kicks off in mid-November."

Jayasuriya will not appear for the Dolphins in the first Champions tournament in the first week of December, as he is committed to the Mumbai Indians, for whom he plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"We are excited to have been able to sign a player of Sanath's calibre. He will contribute a huge amount to the Dolphins," said Docrat.

In addition to Jayasuriya, the Dolphins have also obtained the services of HD Ackerman, previously part of the Warriors' batting line-up.

National Under-19 wicketkeeper Bradley Barnes from the Cape also becomes a Dolphin this year.

The Dolphins have lost Under-19 star Jonathan Vandiar to the Lions.

Doug Watson has been appointed player/coach of the KwaZulu-Natal inland side.

According to Docrat the Dolphins will play in the Champions tournament in the same group as the Rajasthan Royals, Middlesex and Western Australia.

The Titans are in the other group with the Chennai Super Kings, Victoria of Australia and Sialkot of Pakistan.

- Volksblad