Queensland and Brisbane Heat experience aiding new Gold Coast Dolphins captain Matt Kuhnemann

THE knowledge gleaned from some of Australian cricket’s biggest names has given new Gold Coast captain Matt Kuhnemann the belief he can lead the Dolphins to the Queensland Premier Cricket promised land.

THE knowledge gleaned from some of Australian cricket’s biggest names has given new Gold Coast captain Matt Kuhnemann the belief he can lead the Dolphins to the Queensland Premier Cricket promised land.

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

Queensland and Brisbane Heat squad member Kuhnemann, 22, has assumed the skipper’s role from Max Houlahan ahead of the Dolphins’ season opening one-day clash away to Wynnum Manly tomorrow.

A former Australian under-19s representative, the left-arm offspinner enjoyed a breakout 2018-19 season, playing four one-day games for Queensland before three Big Bash appearances for the Heat in February.

MEET THE DOLPHINS’ 2019-20 SQUAD

He has since spent another off-season learning from the likes of Australian representatives Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw and Billy Stanlake at Bulls training, and believes the experience will help him lead a youthful Dolphins side in 2019-20.

“I feel like I’ve learnt heaps from the Bulls players and the Brisbane Heats international players. Even just this pre-season with the Bulls, I’m a lot more fit and mature mentally,” Kuhnemann said.

New Gold Coast Dolphins first grade captain Matt Kuhnemann. Picture: Mike Batterham

“I feel like I have some knowledge to pass on to the (Dolphins) boys. I’ll be trying to get to training as much as possible and help them out.

“We probably lacked self belief as a team at the start (of last season) but at the back end of the year we thought we could beat any of these teams. We always start slow, especially in the one-dayers so hopefully we start with a couple of wins.

BULLETIN’S FIVE PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2019-20 SEASON

“We finished the season off really well so we still have some momentum. The core playing group has been together a few years so we’ve just got to start well.”

While the Dolphins’ short-form performances last season were off the pace, they defied their youthfulness to storm home in the two-day competition and narrowly miss the finals.

The first grade side remains largely unchanged from that campaign and after a pre-season chat with new coach Chris Swan, Kuhnemann said he was ready to build his captaincy CV.

Kuhnemann in action at training. Picture: Mike Batterham

“I did a little bit in under-16s and 17s but not really recently,” Kuhnemann said of his captaincy experience.

“I didn’t put my hand up (for the role) but Swanny thought it would help me with my cricket. Now I‘m really keen to take the role because we have a good bunch of boys.

NEW FACE AT BAY AS SKIPPER DEPARTS

“I spoke to Max and he’ll still have a leadership role in the club. There’s a few leaders in the first grade team that the young guys look up to, especially in the Taverners.”

Kuhnemann will feature in the Dolphins first two games but with Queensland’s first Marsh Cup game coming against NSW on September 22, his availability from then on will be dependent on Bulls selections.

DOLPHINS XI TO PLAY WYNNUM MANLY

Jack Hargreaves

Josh Kann

Max Houlahan

Sscott Sanderson

Matt Kuhnemann (c)

Liam Hope-Shackley

Hugo Burdon

Max Bryant

Xavier Bartlett

Jack Cooper

Lewin Maladay (wk)