Gold Coast Dolphins quick Jackson Smith leads rout of Redlands in final Qld Premier Cricket clash

FAST bowler Jackson Smith says he finally feels like he can become a first grade force as the Gold Coast Dolphins set about building on a Queensland Premier Cricket campaign of immense promise.

FAST bowler Jackson Smith says he finally feels like he can become a first grade force as the Gold Coast Dolphins set about building on a Queensland Premier Cricket campaign of immense promise.

Smith was the chief destroyer in the Dolphins’ outright win over Redlands in Saturday’s final fixture, finishing with match figures of 7-67 in the eight-wicket triumph at Robina.

The 26-year-old, who made his first grade debut for Ipswich-Logan in 2012-13, has battled for his place in the Dolphins’ top side since arriving in 2015-16, despite dominating second grade.

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He played just two top-grade games in 2017-18 amid a 59-wicket second-grade season, and had 12 wickets at 47 this campaign before collecting 3-31 and 4-36 in the Redlands rout.

The result kept the Dolphins in sixth place and after finishing second from bottom last season, Smith said the signs were positive for 2019-20.

“It was the first outright win I can recall in my time at the club. It’s a shame it’s the last game of the year but it’s still pretty good form to take into next year,” Smith said.

Gold Coast Dolphins quick Trent Arnold bowls as Redlands’ Marnus Labuschagne watches on. Picture: Richard Gosling

“It was quite a good game (for me), it was nice to get my form back and be amongst the wickets again. (It was nice) to lead the way for some of the younger bowlers.

“I feel like I belong. I’ve always struggled with a little bit of confidence at that level but I know that I can do it. I’ve just got to be consistent and keep doing it now.

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“It is a big gap (from second grade) but I have done it before. We’ve got a lot of good quicks at the club so once you cement your spot you’ve just got to hold onto it.”

Bowled out for 70 on day one, Redlands were left with a mountain to climb on Saturday, resuming at 0-19 in the second dig after the Dolphins declared at 5-199.

Dolphins fast bowler Jackson Smith took 3-31 and 4-36 against Redlands.

While they fared far better on the back of Marnus Labuschagne’s quickfire 71, a total of 251 left the Dolphins, who were led by spinner Matt Kuhnemann (5-97), chasing 123 for maximum points.

With Lewin Maladay blasting 61 from 47 balls, the home side cruised home in the 20th over two wickets down.

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“It gives confidence for myself and the team that we know we are definitely good enough,” Smith said.

“It’s just that belief that we can do it. Everyone has taken that step up (this season) so if we keep doing that we will be pretty well placed for next season.”

SCOREBOARD

■ Redlands 70, 251 def. by Gold Coast 5-199 declared, 2-124 at Bill Pippen Oval, Robina