An off-season in the Netherlands has left Dolphins batsman Lewin Maladay confident about 2019-20

A WINTER spent developing his game in the relative cricket obscurity of the Netherlands has left emerging Gold Coast Dolphin Lewin Maladay primed for Queensland Premier Cricket impact this season.

A WINTER spent developing his game in the relative cricket obscurity of the Netherlands has left emerging Gold Coast Dolphin Lewin Maladay primed for Queensland Premier Cricket impact this season.

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While his output in last weekend’s season-opening one-dayer was limited to two runs as the Dolphins slumped to a 106-run loss to Wynnum Manly, wicketkeeper-batsman Maladay shapes as a key component in the club’s 2019-20 campaign.

After amassing 788 runs at 35.82 – including eight half-centuries – for the Dolphins last season, the 21-year-old spent four-and-a-half months racking up 796 runs at 46.82 for Bloemendaal in the Dutch second division.

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Having returned to the Coast just in time for their Round 1 fixture, Maladay is confident he can deliver more when the Dolphins host Redlands tomorrow.

“Coming off a short season in the Netherlands is going to be perfect preparation for me. You can do all the pre-season work you want but nothing beats game time,” the former Australian under-19 representative, who was bowled by Wynnum paceman Benji Floros, said.

Gold Coast Dolphins batsman Lewin Maladay. Picture: Richard Gosling

“It was a poor shot (last week), loose decision-making (but) I was happy with how I kept. I still feel really good in the nets so it’s a matter of applying a better game plan.

“It was a pretty disappointing performance but hopefully we bounce back better this week.”

After failing to register a win in three one-dayers in 2018-19, the Dolphins were never in the hunt in their first outing this season after Wynnum piled on 5-333 from their 50 overs.

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But with Queensland contract holders Max Bryant, Xavier Bartlett and captain Matt Kuhnemann again set to take their place against Redlands as part of an unchanged side, Maladay said they have the talent to make amends.

“We weren’t quite up for it (in Round 1). I was told pre-season was pretty good and maybe a few people were expecting things to just click in but that’s not what happened,” he said.

“It’s a very strong team on paper though so there’s no reason we can’t bounce back. Each time you go onto the park you have to win so obviously winning (today) is key.

“I think the boys are even more eager, having lost with such a strong side. We just didn’t perform on the day. Fingers crossed we can get a win.”

After making just 199, Redlands beat Valleys by five runs in their Round 1 clash.

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DOLPHINS ROUND 2 TEAM

Max Bryant

Jack Cooper

Lewin Maladay (wk)

Hugo Burdon

Jack Hargreaves

Max Houlahan

Liam Hope-Shackley

Scott Sanderson

Josh Kann

Matt Kuhnemann (c)

Xavier Bartlett