The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from another weekend of Gold Coast cricket

The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from another weekend of Gold Coast cricket.

The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from another weekend of Gold Coast cricket.

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THUNDER CHANGES PAY DIVIDENDS

Led by new coach Simon Belston, the Gold Coast Thunder underwent a mini overhaul this season and their efforts were rewarded with the Bulls Masters Country Challenge title on Sunday.

Their Twenty20 triumph over North Queensland, which followed a runner-up finish for the Schaeffer Shield, has laid the platform for more success in 2020-21.

GOLD COAST THUNDER T20 FINAL GALLERY

Gold Coast Thunder players celebrate a wicket during the Bulls Masters Country Challenge Twenty20 final at the Gabba on Sunday. Picture: Bob Jones

TARA’S TIME HAS ARRIVED

Tara Wheeler’s breakout Katherine Raymont Shield campaign continued on Sunday, crafting a team-high 43 and taking 2-15 as Gold Coast beat University of Queensland to extend their one-day ladder lead.

The young all-rounder now has 344 runs at 38.22 and 14 wickets at 16.79, and is fast becoming one of the Dolphins’ most important players.

Gold Coast Dolphins all-rounder Tara Wheeler. Picture: Mike Batterham

MORE PAIN FOR LUCKLESS HURRICANES

Chasing their first win of the Kookaburra Cup season, Alberton Ormeau watched their hopes wash away on Saturday as rain put paid to any chance of play on day two of their battle with Burleigh.

The Hurricanes were well placed to push for victory – they posted 197 before the Bullsharks reached 0-14 – but the cricket gods were in an unforgiving mood, not for the first time this season.

FIVE BIG MOMENTS IN GOLD COAST CRICKET

Alberton Ormeau batsman Justin Larrescy. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

DOLPHIN PUSHING FOR FIRST GRADE SPOT

The Gold Coast Dolphins are well served in the left-arm offspin department with Queensland representative and captain Matt Kuhnemann, but young gun Matthew Grant is quickly making a name for himself.

Having started the season in third grade, Grant took his second grade wicket tally to 21 at an average of 13.52 with figures of 4-19 against Wynnum Manly on Saturday.

Should Kuhnemann be unavailable over the final three rounds of the season, Grant is a strong chance of adding a two-day debut to his two first grade Twenty20 appearances.

Rising Gold Coast Dolphins spinner Matthew Grant. Picture: Jerad Williams

HAWKS GET OUT OF JAIL

Helensvale Pacific Pines players must have been working overtime on their rain dancing last week because Saturday’s washout against Mudgeeraba Nerang could prove pivotal in the Kookaburra Cup finals race.

Despite reaching 0-20 on day one, the Hawks were long odds to chase down Mudgeeraba’s 6-299 declared and the four points gained from the draw has kept them in the top four.

‘THEY HAVEN’T GOT THE JUNIOR PROGRAM WE’VE GOT’

Helensvale Pacific Pines batsman Kaleb Day. Picture: Mike Batterham