Abbott braced for wounded Titans
The Sunfoil Dolphins will be wary of a backlash from the Nashua Titans in the last round of the Sunfoil Series, regardless of the defending champions' poor form this season.
"Any time you go to SuperSport Park, you know that you are in for a really tough game," Dolphins kingpin Kyle Abbott pointed out. "We will definitely be wary of the wounded tiger so to speak and I am sure they will come hard at us."
While the Titans have yet to notch a win this season in four-day cricket, the Dolphins have made steady strides under coach Lance Klusener and Abbott says the former international has been a massive influence in the dressing room.
"For sure, Lance has been a huge factor for us. I can remember watching him play for South Africa in 1999, when I was still about 10, so he is still a hero for us youngsters who grew up watching him," Abbott chuckled.
"He has really given us a lot of responsibility, and even though we don't have a senior pro as such a lot of the boys have stepped up when needed and really delivered. We also have a lot of belief in the guys, trusting that each man is going to do their job on the day."
Abbott has been the Dolphins' go-to man this season, and he admits that he is relishing the role of spearhead. "I guess Lance really got through to me in that sense, and I have just worked really hard on doing the basics well. I have hit my areas consistently this season and I have been a lot more patient when things are not happening."
While the Dolphins cannot win the Sunfoil Series, Abbott insists that it is crucial to finish the season in style, especially after winning two of their last three clashes.
"We are on a good run and had we won a few games at the start of the season, we could have had a real chance of winning it. We have been finishing in the bottom two for the last few years, so it is crucial for us to finish as high as possible and then look to kick on next year."
Abbott is sure to be a key man for the Dolphins at SuperSport Park, and he will be looking to break the 50-wicket barrier in this season's campaign.
Play at Supersport Park starts at 10am on Thursday.
