Gold Coast Dolphins wicketkeeper Lewin Maladay breaks free from shackles ahead of crucial clash with Wests

A chance to break free from the shackles of a “dud” Queensland Premier Cricket campaign has armed Lewin Maladay with renewed confidence as Gold Coast await a season-defining battle with Wests.

A CHANCE to break free from the shackles of a “dud” Queensland Premier Cricket campaign has armed Lewin Maladay with renewed confidence as Gold Coast await a season-defining battle with Wests.

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly

Trailing fourth-placed Norths by just seven points with two rounds to play, the Dolphins are due to head to Graceville tomorrow but rain could yet turn their two-day clash into a limited-overs encounter next Saturday.

Chasing their first semi-final appearance since 2013-14, they kept their season alive with a three-wicket win over Toombul last weekend as Max Bryant (108 from 60 balls) ran riot.

‘IT HAS PUT US A BIT BEHIND THE EIGHT-BALL’ - TSS’ TITLE DILEMMA

But the result could also prove crucial for wicketkeeper-batsman Maladay, who teed off after passing the victory target to make 73 from just 31 balls.

The knock came after posting just 229 runs at 14.31 in his 16 previous innings, and on the back of a highly-successful 2018-19 season that yielded 788 runs at 35.82, including eight half-centuries.

Gold Coast Dolphins wicketkeeper-batsman Lewin Maladay. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

But with his runscoring drought now broken, the 22-year-old is determined to finish the season strongly.

“I’ve had a bit of a dud season with the bat so far,” the former Australian under-19 representative said.

‘HE’S JUST A LEVEL ABOVE’ - FINS’ UNSUNG HERO IN FINALS PUSH

“It hasn’t gone how I would’ve liked it to, especially after last season but I feel like I’m keeping well. I just haven’t had that breakaway innings and hopefully (the form) continues for the remainder of the season.

“All we can do (is win our next two games). If we win our next two we are a chance (of playing finals).

Maladay (right) with Dolphins captain Matt Kuhnemann. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“But I don’t think we’re too worried about that, if you start looking into that you’re not focusing on the right thing.

“We need to focus on the next ball we face or bowl or catch or throw. They’re the things we need to focus on and if we do that and do that well then we might be a chance.”

The Dolphins’ representative trio of captain Matt Kuhnemann, Bryant and fast bowler Xavier Bartlett have all been included in tomorrow’s line up.

QUICK COMES OF AGE, FINS’ MARK & BUSHMEN’S KEY BAT - FIVE THINGS

In second grade, fourth-placed Gold Coast will face Wests in a crucial penultimate-round fixture at Bill Pippen Oval.

The Dolphins sit level with Ipswich-Logan on 115 points but hold a superior quotient.

Sitting ninth, Wests are out of finals contention.