Durban – Dolphins Cricket CEO Jesse Chellan is confident they have enough potential in their squad to build a strong team next season.
On Monday, the Dolphins released the names of the 17 players they have contracted for the 2013/14 campaign.
The biggest absentee is star Proteas batsman Hashim Amla, who announced last month that he would be leaving Durban for the Cobras, in Cape Town.
Also missing is Lonwabo Tsotsobe, but Chellan said he had not yet been informed about the future of the left-arm seamer.
“I saw in a press release from Cricket SA that he’s listed to play for the Lions, but I’ve requested from CSA that they send me all the franchise listed players who have CSA contracts.
“I don’t have any formal notification about it, but it does look like he won’t be here,” he said.
Amla did not feature for the franchise last season because of his national commitments, and Tsotsobe played in only the One Day Cup series.
The Dolphins will have only two current national players on their books in limited-overs batting specialist David Miller and seam-bowler Kyle Abbott.
Abbott had a storming induction to Test cricket earlier this year, when he claimed nine wickets on debut against Pakistan in Centurion.
Amla’s older brother Ahmed is also no longer part of the set-up, after announcing his retirement, and Dane Paterson has moved on.
The Dolphins, under new coach Lance Klusener, ended third in the Sunfoil Series this season after winning four games, more than they had done in the previous three seasons.
However, they disappointed in the 50-over and 20-over competitions, finishing fifth in both.
“Although our results have not always shown it, the squad is maturing and starting to deliver on its potential,” Chellan said.
“The only new signing is veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk, who joined from the Knights.”
Chellan said Van Wyk would strengthen their leadership group and he believed the player's experience and “winning know-how” would be a valuable addition to the team.
“We just need to see some of the youngsters we have, to build on the potential, just like Kyle did last season by taking 49 wickets,” he said.
“Clearly, more consistent, match-winning team performances are required, and this remains our challenge for the new season.”
Dolphins squad: Kyle Abbott, Craig Alexander, Cody Chetty, Cameron Delport, Robbie Frylinck, Imraan Khan, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Calvin Savage, Mthokozisi Shezi, Daryn Smit, Prenelan Subrayen, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Divan van Wyk, Morne van Wyk, Jonathan Vandiar, Khaya Zondo. – Sapa