Former Gold Coast Dolphins star Nick Buchanan expected to join UQ for Qld Premier Cricket season

FORMER Gold Coast Dolphin Nick Buchanan has settled on a Queensland Premier Grade club for 2019-20 following his axing from the Tasmania Tigers contract list.

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are resigned to being without Nick Buchanan for the Queensland Premier Cricket season, with the axed Tasmania Tigers quick expected to return to University of Queensland.

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One of four Tigers squad members not offered a state contract in May, Buchanan’s return home to Queensland had sparked hopes he could be headed back to Bill Pippen Oval.

After eight injury-plagued seasons with University, Buchanan, 28, joined the Dolphins in 2016-17, collecting 10 wickets at 23.4 in nine first-grade appearances.

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And with the 28-year-old and partner Courtney Hancock based on the Coast, the Dolphins were confident he would return to play a crucial role in the young side’s resurgence.

However, the Bulletin understands the former Australian under-19 paceman, who played the last of his five Big Bash games for the Brisbane Heat in 2017, will reunite with the Blues.

Nick Buchanan in action for the Dolphins in 2016-17. Picture: Scott Fletcher

Buchanan had also attracted interest from junior club South Brisbane, who are desperate to add some experience to a team that finished with last season’s wooden spoon.

The Queensland Premier Cricket season begins on September 7, with the Dolphins to travel to Wynnum Manly for a one-day fixture.

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The Chris Swan-coached side continued preparations for the 2019-20 campaign with a trial match against Norths in Brisbane on Saturday.