THE INNER RING

JULY 2020 | FOURTH INNINGS

Dear family

Hallo, how are you?

Powerplay “Hallo, how are you?”

In the recent past that phrase has almost always been followed by a “fine thanks, and you?”.

But not this week…

I had 5 different calls in a row, where the responses were “Not great”, “Not good at all”, “Struggling”, “Battling” and “Don’t know what to actually say”.

The past week my response was also heading that way. I felt like I was in a tumble dryer, or rather what I would anticipate that to feel like. Being pushed from all sides and having no control over it. Confused, baffled and perplexed by all that is happening around us, and not really understanding the reasons behind it. Lockdown has certainly played a huge role in the negativity that is clearly visible all over every social media platform, some warranted and unfortunately some fabricated. It feels like people close to us are passing away at a rapid pace, losing jobs left, right and centre, and closing businesses that have taken many years to build up. Load shedding is the order of the day, no water, potholes, and to top it all there are still opportunists popping out everywhere to add to the dire situation that we find ourselves in, to add to chaos that we are engulfed in. We even got chased away from one of the places where we wanted to hand out food parcels...

THE INNER RING ISSUE: 10

These moments remind me that we never fully appreciated life as we probably should have, and makes me realise the small things that we just simply took for granted.

Waking up this morning, to a beautiful sunrise, I once again realised that even being in this tumble dryer is a privilege. To be a South African citizen, regardless of your background, means that within you lies a determination and a will to keep going.

My wish today is that we all realise we are in this together, we are in the same boat, and if any of us make holes in it, we will go down together.

Let us unite as a rainbow nation, let us treat everyone with respect and dignity and if we are in a position to help others, it is our duty to do exactly that.

“Our Unity is our strength & Diversity is our Power”- Hollywoodbets Dolphins

Inside the boundary rope

“Bowl out Hunger”

The Bowl out Hunger initiative was launched on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium. In attendance were some of our incredible partners, Hollywoodbets, Fourways Airconditioning and Sunfoil. The Dolphins coaching team and players have also embraced this project and put their full support behind it. For this project we partnered with Boxer Superstores, and I have to give them credit for their professionalism and passion to make a positive difference. The way they conduct their business and the well executed logistics have been world class.

We have already brought smiles to our players from the Umlazi hub, Ilembe hub (Stanger), Chatsworth RPC, Reservoir Hills hub and the INK hub (KwaMashu).

It has been a humbling experience to be able to make a small difference in our cricketing communities and to show these coaches and kids that we genuinely care about them. I want to thank each and every person who has made a contribution towards this cause. I want to urge you to please continue supporting this project if you are in a position to do so.

Small actions + Lots of people = Big impact.

Account Name: KZN Cricket Dolphins Relief Fund Registration number: 026/796/NPO Bank: Standard Bank Account: 051064367 Branch Code: 051001 Reference: Hunger – followed by your name

This week the player introductions will cover another three members of our exciting squad

THE INNER RING ISSUE: 10

FULL NAME DAVID ANDREW MILLER

MAIN ROLE BATSMAN

BOWLING STYLE LEFT-HAND BAT DATE OF BIRTH 10 JUNE 1989 PLACE OF BIRTH PIETERMARITZBURG, KZN HIGH SCHOOL MARITZBURG COLLEGE PRIMARY SCHOOL CLIFTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL, NOTTINGHAM ROAD

DATE OF DOLPHINS DEBUT

January 2008, SuperSport Series

Dolphins vs , Pietermaritzburg

SHIRT NUMBER 10 I was a flyhalf and center back for my school rugby and hockey team respectively. Both these positions are number 10. At that time, we didn’t have a number on our cricket shirts but from then I wanted to also be number 10 for cricket.

DOLPHINS ALL TIME HERO

Hashim Amla

He has always been the rock for me in my career.

I am highly grateful for the guidance and support he gave me throughout my career. I have also enjoyed the huge amount of good banter and a great relationship between us. He has been there for me from my first day at the Dolphins all the way until he retired. I am honoured to have had the chance to learn so much from him. It has been a really special journey to have played alongside such a legend.

FAVOURITE KINGSMEAD MEMORY

My favourite Kingsmead memory is defeating

Australia in an ODI in 2016. It was the second highest run chase and one of my better innings. The crowd was phenomenal. It is always special to play in front of the Kingsmead fans. This is definitely one of my favourite memories by a long way.

THE INNER RING ISSUE: 10

FULL NAME KESHAV ATHMANAND MAHARAJ MAIN ROLE BOWLER BOWLING STYLE SLOW LEFT-ARM ORTHODOX DATE OF BIRTH 07 FEBRUARY 1990 PLACE OF BIRTH HIGH SCHOOL NORTHWOOD BOYS HIGH PRIMARY SCHOOL NORTHLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL

DATE OF DOLPHINS DEBUT February 2010 PRO20 Dolphins vs Warriors, Durban

SHIRT NUMBER 16 There is a lot of significance behind this number. My grandfather passed away on 16 December. I received my first SA Representative cap at the age of 16 and the tournament started on 16 December of that year.

DOLPHINS ALL TIME HERO I have always looked up to Pollock for his work ethics and what he has achieved in cricket and how he goes about his business. I appreciate the professionalism

he exuded when representing the Dolphins and

South Africa.

Lance Klusener Having work with Klusener, he enlightened me as to what it takes to become an international cricketer. I am fortunate enough to receive that knowledge and experience under him. His guidance and advice gave me the platform to play for SA.

FAVOURITE KINGSMEAD MEMORY My favourite Hollywoodbets Kingsmead memory is making my Test debut here. As a youngster, I would dream about playing test cricket in my hometown and home ground. To achieve this dream and achieve it at home is something really special. Even though the result didn’t go our way, it is still a very special moment for me. I just love playing at Kingsmead.

THE INNER RING ISSUE: 10

In the stands Marketing & Communications This week’s guests on the “Leading Edge” were the crew of Kerwin Mungroo and Mthokozisi Shezi. It has been loaded onto the YouTube channel where it can be watched on demand.

Close of play Pearler of the week “Wherever you go , no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”

Stay safe,