Gold Coast quick Josh Kann finds form as Dolphins share day-one honours against Sunshine Coast

HE’S one of the state’s brightest young talents but Gold Coast all-rounder Josh Kann admits his sluggish start to the Queensland Premier Cricket season had begun to take its toll before finding form against Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

HE’S one of the state’s brightest young talents but Gold Coast all-rounder Josh Kann admits his sluggish start to the Queensland Premier Cricket season had begun to take its toll before finding form against Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

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Handed a QAS contract in the off-season following a breakout campaign with the Dolphins, Kann had taken just six wickets in five games at an average of 38.5 before hitting his straps on day one at Bill Pippen Oval.

The 19-year-old finished with figures of 3-34 as Sunshine Coast were dismissed for 255, with fellow quicks Xavier Bartlett (2-44) and Jackson Smith (2-48) also playing vital roles.

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Having successfully deployed Matt Kuhnemann as nightwatchman in their last-start win over University of Queensland, the Dolphins then used Bartlett (8 not out) alongside Jack Hargreaves (0 not out) at the top of the order to reach 0-8 in reply.

With his side still in the hunt to keep their spot in the top four, Kann said personal success had come as a relief.

Gold Coast’s Josh Kann bowls against Sunshine Coast on Saturday. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“I didn’t bowl the best but got a few wickets, which was good. I was a bit nervous coming into that game, I hadn’t taken many wickets,” said the former Australian under-19 representative, who took 0-40 against UQ.

“I’ve been going aright but I didn’t bowl the best I’ve bowled (on Saturday). I reckon I bowled better last week and got 0-50.

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“I’ve been working with Swanny (coach Chris Swan) a little bit on my lengths. I was bowling too short so I’ve been bowling a little bit fuller and I got a bowled and an LBW.”

Fresh off a midweek appearance for Queensland in the Marsh One-Day Cup, Dolphins captain Matt Kuhnemann played a key role on Saturday, tying down an end to finish with 1-51 from 24 overs with his left-arm offspin.

Kann and teammates celebrate the early wicket of Nick Selman. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Kann said his efforts did not go unnoticed by teammates.

“Kuhny bowled very well. There was a hard end to bowl with the quicks and he said I’ll bowl that end, which allowed the quicks to rate through at the other end,” he said.

“It was a tough day, it started off pretty slow. The wicket wasn’t doing too much early on but we ended up taking a few wickets through the middle and bowled them out 250.

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“We’re going well. We’ve got a good culture down there and hopefully if we get Sunny Coast we can move into the top two.”

SCOREBOARD

Sunshine Coast 255 (Angus Lovell 55, Peter Dein 50; Josh Kann 3-34, Xavier Bartlett 2-44) vs. Gold Coast 0-8 (Bartlett 8 not out)