10/02/2025

Dupavillon relishing being back in the Dolphins mix

Following a horror run of injuries over the past few seasons, Hollywoodbets Dolphins speedster Daryn Dupavillon has managed to get a whole season under his belt this summer which has culminated in him getting back into the Dolphins mix for the Momentum One Day Cup and T20 Challenge.

The 24-year-old quick from Empangeni was a surprise selection for the Dolphins in their Momentum One Day Cup semi-final win over the Warriors in Durban. Picked from relative obscurity he bowled with pace and bagged one for 15 in seven overs.

He has also proven to be a vital component of the bowling line up in the three T20 Challenge games the Dolphins have played. He’s currently tied sixth on the leading wicket-takers in the tournament so far, and the second-best Dolphins bowler after spinner Prenelan Subrayen.

It has been a long road for Dupavillon, but it’s a reward for hard work being back in the Dolphins side.

“I have wanted this for so long and when I felt like I was ready another injury would come and set me back,” he said. “To be back in the mix, whether I play or not, is just such an awesome feeling.

“To be picked for the semi-final against the Warriors was a bit of a surprise because I was preparing for a trip to Joburg with the B side!

“When I got the call from Morgs (coach Grant Morgan) he said that he would take all the pressure off me so it was nice to play with that freedom, but I had played that scenario in my head so much that I felt I was ready.”

Going through the disappointment of injury, recovery, injury was tough on the youngster and it took its toll on him.

“I got to the stage where I didn’t come to the stadium to watch games or even go and watch the B side games.

“It was just so frustrating being on the side of the field, and it was sad having to sit and watch the guys play,” he recalled.

Dupavillon is one of the fastest bowlers in the country and in his first game back was touching speeds of close to 150kph. Having that ability to bowl fast has been his asset but injuries have hampered him.

Getting that confidence back in his body and action has been a huge part to his return to the Dolphins set-up.

“Towards the back-end of this season I have started trusting my body a lot more knowing that we are heading into a break soon.

“I think I eased my way into the season and I didn’t come into it bowling flat out.

“Also being with the B side we only played every few weeks so there wasn’t any back-to-back cricket for me,” he added.

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will host the Warriors in the CSA T20 Challenge at Kingsmead this Wednesday evening.

Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gameplan Media

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