Spin duo sign for Dolphins

Durban - The spin bowling duo of Imran Tahir and Thandi Tshabalala have joined the Dolphins, the franchise confirmed on Monday.

Tahir made the return to his former employers from the Highveld Lions where he played for the past two season.

"When I was here in the past I had a great time," Tahir said.

"It's another challenge and I'm sure I can help the team to do well."

The 35 year-old Tahir was back with the side that claimed their first piece of silverware in almost eight years when they won the domestic Twenty20 title last season.

"Hopefully we can win another title this year and more. It's going to be hard work, but I'm here to succeed and hopefully we can do that as a team," Tahir said.

The domestic win qualified the Dolphins for the Champions League Twenty20.

However, the new pair would be ineligible to play, along with Ryan McLaren, in the competition in India.

Tshabalala had not played first-class cricket for over three-and-a-half years, but joined from the amateur ranks in Johannesburg.

He was capped four times for the Proteas in one-day internationals during 2007.

The 29 year-old off-break bowler, who has taken 131 wickets in 65 first-class games, last turned out for the Knights in 2011.

The Dolphins also confirmed that their sponsorship agreement with Sunfoil had been renewed for a further two seasons, with an option of a third year.

KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union chief executive Jesse Chellan said that although it was financially less than the previous one, the deal had performance bonuses incentives.

"The cash value may not be as significant as it was, but the incentive value has come in as a new initiative," Chellan said.

"The Dolphins will take on that challenge and we're extremely excited to have this partnership renewed."