New Gold Coast Dolphins captain Jack Hargreaves learning on run after heavy one-day loss to Valleys

STAND-in Gold Coast Dolphins captain Jack Hargreaves admits he is learning on the run but hopes his new-found responsibilities can bring out the best in himself and his teammates.

STAND-in Gold Coast Dolphins captain Jack Hargreaves admits he is learning on the run but hopes his new-found responsibilities can bring out the best in himself and his teammates.

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly

With regular skipper Matt Kuhnemann away on Queensland duties, Hargreaves was entrusted with the captaincy for the first time in the Dolphins’ 152-run one-day loss away to Valleys on Saturday.

On a day when the Coast outfit watched its hopes of a quarterfinal appearance evaporate, the 25-year-old opener stood tall with an unbeaten 66 as the Dolphins stumbled to 146 all out in reply to the hosts’ 7-298.

MORE OF THE SAME FOR FINS WOMEN IN 2019-20

Hoping to build on their Round 2 triumph over Redlands, little went right for the visitors after sending Valleys in, with several dropped catches and Lachlan Pfeffer (119 not out) conspiring against them.

But with attention now turning to Ipswich-Logan in their first two-day fixture this Saturday, Hargreaves is confident better days await.

Acting Gold Coast Dolphins captain Jack Hargreaves.

“I didn’t mind doing (the captaincy), it wasn’t too bad. I did what I could and I think the boys were pretty happy with it all,” Hargreaves said.

“I did second grade a fair few seasons ago and a bit in junior cricket, but first grade is completely different cricket. I was definitely a bit nervous going into it.

SWAN’S ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT FOR HOPE-SHACKLEY

“We obviously had a lot of plans in place before the game and they go out and window and then you have to adjust. I’m trying to learn.

“Being in the team for batting, I feel like I’m more a person who will lead by actions rather than yelling at blokes. Hopefully with my batting, if I can score some runs I might take people with me.”

Dolphins spinner Ben Davis.

Valleys shot out of the blocks as Pfeffer, Andrew Gode (48 off 24) and former Coast captain Nick Stevens (54) fired in unison, before offspinner Ben Davis (3-49) and quicks Nathan Lyons (1-44) and Josh Kann (1-38) dragged the Dolphins back into the contest.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM CRICKET FIXTURES - WEEK TWO

Their comeback ended early in the run chase however, with Hargreaves, Max Houlahan (19), Hugo Burdon (18) and Kann (11) the only batsmen to reach double figures.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Hargreaves said.

“We let ourselves down a little bit. We haven’t played great cricket (in the three one-dayers). It will be good to put our focus on two-dayers.”