Gold Coast Dolphins focusing on fundamentals ahead of second one-dayer after opening loss to Wynnum

THE Gold Coast Dolphins will take a back-to-basics approach in the lead-up to next weekend’s second Queensland Premier Cricket outing after failing to fire in their one-day opener.

THE Gold Coast Dolphins will take a back-to-basics approach in the lead-up to next weekend’s second Queensland Premier Cricket outing after failing to fire in their one-day opener.

Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial

The Dolphins simply never got going against Wynnum Manly yesterday, with the Sea Eagles piling on 5-333 before restricting the visitors to 9-227.

Former Queensland Bulls all-rounder Jason Floros proved a thorn in the Dolphins’ side, smashing an unbeaten 112 from 74 balls before taking 3-54 with his offspin.

MEET THE DOLPHINS' 2019-20 SQUAD

New Coast skipper Matt Kuhnemann (2-52) was the only member of his side to bag multiple wickets, while Max Houlahan (43) and no.11 Xavier Bartlett (31 not out) led the way with the bat.

“It wasn’t great,” Kuhnemann said of the performance.

“We just have to do the basics better. We didn’t start off well with the ball and it’s quite hard chasing 330.

Dolphins captain Matt Kuhnemann. Picture: Mike Batterham

“We lost a couple of wickets early and we just didn’t execute our plans with the ball. We probably just didn’t bat time as well.

“I think we let them have 50 runs at the end with the ball so if we get them down to 270 we’re a big chance. It was the first hitout for a few boys so there was still a lot of positives from the game.”

NEW FORCES EMERGE AS T20 TITLE THREATS

Among them was former skipper Houlahan, who came to the crease with the Dolphins struggling at 4-45.

His 56-ball knock included three fours and a six, with Kuhnemann hopeful the rest of the side can also fire when they host Redlands next Saturday in the second of three 50-over fixtures to start the season.

Max Houlahan.

“All you really need is to win one of the three and you’re in the quarterfinals,” he said.

“Max Houlahan batted well in the middle order (on Saturday). Xavier Bartlett whacked a couple at the end so the batting power is there (because) Xave came in at 11.

“We do bat deep this year so we just need to fix up the bowling. If we can do that we will be fine.”

HUNTED HURRICANES EMBRACING T20 PRESSURE

SCOREBOARD

WYNNUM MANLY 5-333 (J Floros 112 not out, Rabnott 53; Kuhnemann 2-52, Cooper 1-19) DEF. GOLD COAST 9-227 (Houlahan 43, Bartlett 31 not out; B Floros 3-27, J Floros 3-54)