The Nashua Dolphins have strengthened their squad by signing former Proteas all-rounder Andrew Hall and another big-name signing may be on their way to Kingsmead in the near future.
The Durban-based franchise is currently in negotiations with former South Africa, Boland, Highveld Lions and Cape Cobras’ left-arm spinner Claude Henderson.
The signing of Hall, until the end of the current season, and the pursuit of Henderson, are the latest developments in Durban that has seen the Dolphins undergo a major overhaul during the off-season.
Graham Ford was reappointed as coach, opening batsman Imraan Khan has taken over the captaincy and Jesse Chellan, former president of the Northerns Cricket Union, has been named as the Dolphins’ new CEO.
“What we are looking at is increasing our depth and experience in our squad so that we can have a nice blend of youth and experience,” Jay Naidoo, the Dolphins’ manager of playing affairs, told SuperCricket.
During the off-season the Dolphins also completed the signing of former Diamond Eagles opening batsman Loots Bosman and Naidoo believes that the signing of experienced players can only help the current Dolphins’ squad.
“They bring a fighting spirit to the team while their experience of winning tight games will be crucial as sometimes the young guys in the team can battle to handle the pressure,” Naidoo explained.
“Of course, the senior players will also pass on their knowledge to our youngsters,” he added.
Hall, who recently cut his ties with the rebel Indian Champions League (ICL), currently plies his trade in England with Northamptonshire and he brings a wealth of experience with him to the Dolphins.
The 34-year-old, who spent a season at Kingsmead in 2006, is coming off a successful year with his English team that saw him score 1161 first-class runs at an average of 50.47 while the seam bowler also captured 40 wickets at an average of 22.77.
Hall has played in 21 tests and 88 one-day-internationals (ODIs) for his country.
Bosman has played in 12 ODIs and four twenty20 internationals for South Africa and has established himself as one of the most destructive batsman in domestic limited-overs cricket.
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