Former Proteas batsan HD Ackerman has signed a contract to play for the Dolphins in the 2008/2009 season.

"We need someone with his wealth of experience to bolster the team after losing the services of Dale Benkenstein," explained Dolphins chief executive Cassim Docrat. Benkenstein ended his 15-year association with the Dolphins last year when he signed up for the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Ackerman played for the Warriors last season. He signed a Kolpak agreement in 2004, and has been playing county cricket for Leicestershire, alongside fellow South Africans Boeta Dippenaar and Claude Henderson and Garnett Kruger.

Another long-serving Dolphin who is not in the 2008/2009 squad is stalwart Doug Watson, who made his debut for Natal in 1993/94.

"We haven't renewed Doug's contract, but we are trying to work out a way to keep him in the system," said Docrat.

"We have signed up a youngster, David Miller, who is a left-handed batsman, and we are excited about him. He played a few matches for the Dolphins last season, but now we have signed him up on a rookie contract.

"We also have the two experienced former Titans players, Alfonso Thomas and Pierre de Bruyn, who served us well last summer," he added.

"We also have the tried and trusted players like Ahmed Amla, Jon Kent and Yusuf Abdullah, and Hashim Amla will play for us when he is not wanted for the national team."

Dolphins contracted players for 2008/2009: Yusuf Aabdullah, HD Ackerman, Ahmed Amla, Pierre de Bruyn, Quinton Friend, Yugesen Govinder, Jon Kent, Imraan Khan, Johann Louw, Saidi Mhlongo, Daryn Smit, Alfonso Thomas, Morne van Vuuren, David Miller (rookie)

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