Burleigh spinner Nathan Janes relishing added responsibility with defending premiers

BURLEIGH spinner Nathan Janes is relishing his added responsibility with the defending premiers as they fight to extend their Kookaburra Cup ascendancy against Runaway Bay today.

BURLEIGH spinner Nathan Janes is relishing his added responsibility with the defending premiers as they fight to extend their Kookaburra Cup ascendancy against Runaway Bay today.

A bit-part player in his first season with the Bullsharks in 2017-18, 19-year-old Janes has become an increasingly important figure in their unbeaten start to the new campaign.

The left-arm offie claimed a career-best 6-15 from 18.4 overs last Saturday as Burleigh ripped through Bay for just 86, taking his season tally to 16 wickets at an average of 8.38.

FRIENDSHIP ON HOLD FOR TEST SERIES

With his side to resume at 1-47 when day two begins at Crowe Howarth Oval, the former Gold Coast Dolphins third-grader looms as the x-factor in their pursuit of outright victory.

“I was very happy to get six-for, it was nice to get a few wickets. They were coming out pretty well,” the Palm Beach Currumbin junior said.

“We just built up heaps of pressure and they played some loose shots. I was lucky enough the fielders caught them.

Burleigh cricket player Nathan Janes. Picture: Jodie Henderson

COACH CALL RINGS TRUE

“It was the first two-day game of the season so it gave me the opportunity to chuck the ball up a little bit more. You can experiment with plans and lengths and how quickly you want to bowl.

“I’ve felt really good this year. With a few guys leaving, it has opened up a few more overs for me.

“Rhys (McCarthy) and TJ (Miller) have been really good to me, they have given me an opportunity and I’m just looking to take it. I’m really enjoying my cricket.”

THE DOLPHINS ON REP RADAR

Having been written off as a title threat in pre-season, Janes said the playing group had relished their chance to play with freedom.

“We haven’t really felt more pressure because everyone kind of wrote us off. We’re a pretty relaxed bunch of guys,” he said.

“We have been going really well, we’re pretty strong through the top grade. We just need to keep the form going and don’t get complacent.

“Teams have identified now that we’re the real deal and it wasn’t just a one-hit wonder last year.”

ROUND 8 PROGRESS SCORES:

■ Broadbeach Robina 270 vs. Surfers Paradise

■ Queens 9-157 dec. vs. Southport Labrador 3-6

■ Helensvale Pacific Pines 259 vs. Coomera Hope Island

■ Mudgeeraba Nerang 163 vs. Palm Beach Currumbin 4-110

■ Runaway Bay 86 vs. Burleigh 1-47