Gold Coast Dolphins’ Matt Kuhnemann drawing on sole cup appearance ahead of Qld debut

THE lessons learned from his sole List A appearance could prove invaluable for Gold Coast Dolphins spinner Matt Kuhnemann ahead of a possible Queensland Bulls debut on Tuesday.

THE lessons learned from his sole List A appearance could prove invaluable for Gold Coast Dolphins spinner Matt Kuhnemann ahead of a possible Queensland Bulls debut on Tuesday.

A left-arm offspinner and handy lower-order batsmen, Kuhnemann was today named in a 14-man Bulls squad for their remaining JLT One Day Cup fixtures against South Australia (Tuesday), Western Australia (Friday) and NSW (Monday) in Sydney.

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The tiny Hurstville Oval used for Queensland’s next two games is the same venue where Kuhnemann took 1-33 against NSW in his first List A appearance for the Cricket Australia XI last season.

It is an experience the 22-year-old is hoping to draw on if chosen to partner legspinner Mitch Swepson on what is expected to be a turning track.

Gold Coast Dolphins all-rounder Matt Kuhnemann.

“It’s a tiny ground, one of the smallest we’ll play at. I learn a lot from last year,” Kuhnemann, who spent the off-season training with the Bulls after being handed a Queensland rookie contract, said.

“I’m very excited to come down here (to Sydney) and meet up with the boys. I feel like I’ve matured a lot as a cricketer, especially over the last five months.

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“It’s been a pretty good pre-season. Because Mitch Swepson was away with Australia A (in India), it gave me a lot of opportunities in trial games.

“I knew Sweppo was going to come back but I was always hopeful of being part of the squad. I think the ball has been coming out well.

Kuhnemann in action for the Dolphins last year. Picture: Mike Batterham

“They’ve told me to prepare to play and that’s all I’ve heard so far. (This) morning, that’s when the nerves will really kick in if I get told I’m playing.

“I’m trying to get better each week, whether it’s training or a second XI game.”

The former Australian under-19 representative emerged as a player of promise with the Dolphins last season, taking 37 wickets at 25 apiece to go with 390 runs at 39.

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He is one of four past or present Dolphins – Max Bryant, Xavier Bartlett and Billy Stanlake are the others - in the Bulls’ 14-man squad, while Michael Neser is on Australian duties.

Queensland chairman of selectors Justin Sternes said Kuhnemann gave the Bulls “another option in our bowling attack” ahead of the games at Hurstville and Drummoyne Ovals.