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Durban - The presence of new coach Lance Klusener has had a positive effect on the Dolphins, according to captain Daryn Smit, in the early stages of the new domestic cricket season.
"Klusener has played a massive role and he's completely changed the mindset of the players and the working environment," Smit said on Tuesday.
"Our team's outlook is much more positive and I think that's something which has shown in our first two games."
The Dolphins lost their first Sunfoil Series match of the campaign against the Highveld Lions, and came close to clinching a win against the Warriors last week, only to be denied by bad light.
Smit said it was important that players were mentally prepared for the rain and light induced delays, after they settled for five draws in 10 first-class matches last season.
"We're almost used to being affected by light and rain now," he said.
"It reached a stage last season where it almost looked like it was following us around.
"The key is for the guys to stay focussed when they're in the change room because, if it's bad light that's having an impact, you can go from being really relaxed to high match intensity in just a few minutes, and making sure that you're in the right frame of mind is absolutely crucial."
The Dolphins and Bloemfontein-based Knights will square off on Thursday in Pietermaritzburg, though rain has been forecast for the fixture.
Smit said his team needed to make sure they closed out games.
"In the past two weeks we have played ourselves into winning positions and we need to make sure we close out those situations and win the game," he said.
"I think that's definitely the one area we need to improve on."
Sunfoil Series fixtures:
Dolphins v Knights, Pietermaritzburg Oval - 09:30
Cape Cobras v Warriors, Paarl - 10:00
"Klusener has played a massive role and he's completely changed the mindset of the players and the working environment," Smit said on Tuesday.
"Our team's outlook is much more positive and I think that's something which has shown in our first two games."
The Dolphins lost their first Sunfoil Series match of the campaign against the Highveld Lions, and came close to clinching a win against the Warriors last week, only to be denied by bad light.
Smit said it was important that players were mentally prepared for the rain and light induced delays, after they settled for five draws in 10 first-class matches last season.
"We're almost used to being affected by light and rain now," he said.
"It reached a stage last season where it almost looked like it was following us around.
"The key is for the guys to stay focussed when they're in the change room because, if it's bad light that's having an impact, you can go from being really relaxed to high match intensity in just a few minutes, and making sure that you're in the right frame of mind is absolutely crucial."
The Dolphins and Bloemfontein-based Knights will square off on Thursday in Pietermaritzburg, though rain has been forecast for the fixture.
Smit said his team needed to make sure they closed out games.
"In the past two weeks we have played ourselves into winning positions and we need to make sure we close out those situations and win the game," he said.
"I think that's definitely the one area we need to improve on."
Sunfoil Series fixtures:
Dolphins v Knights, Pietermaritzburg Oval - 09:30
Cape Cobras v Warriors, Paarl - 10:00
