DURBAN – Recently capped Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo, who made a big impact with both bat and ball against Australia in the recent ODI series, returns to the field on Thursday as the Dolphins host the Warriors.
The former Glenwood High School pupil was expected to play a big part in the now-completed T20 Challenge for the Dolphins, but the youngster was struck in the groin by a ball hit hard back at him while bowling against the Warriors in the first game of the season.
It was only his 12th ball in the competition that saw him floored, and removed from the field, to sit out the rest of the tournament.
Now, back from almost a two-month layoff which required surgery, Phehlukwayo will offer a lot to a Dolphins team that is well poised in the Sunfoil Series to push the log-leading Titans. The top four spots are separated by just over five points, which is promising for coach Grant Morgan.
“I think I have a good idea of what the Warriors will come here with, and being involved from a batting and fielding point of view last year, I think I know their players reasonably well,” Morgan said ahead of the clash at Kingsmead.
“They are definitely an improving unit with a great spirit, but they still remain a fragile four-day side and inconsistent but they have improved.
“I think they might underestimate us to an extent because we have been hurt, which might be a bit dangerous.”