The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from another weekend of Gold Coast cricket

The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from another weekend of Gold Coast cricket.

The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from another weekend of Gold Coast cricket.

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KETTLE BACK ON THE BOIL

After a slow start to the season by his high standards, Palm Beach Currumbin player-coach Ryan Kettle stormed back into form with a knock of 148 from 112 balls in Saturday’s Kookaburra Cup win over Burleigh.

The Lions veteran hit 11 fours and nine sixes to prove he can still be one of first grade’s most damaging batsman on his day.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED - NOVEMBER 2-3

IN-FORM ALL-ROUNDER DOLPHINS’ NEW X-FACTOR

HE has been forced to play second fiddle to some of his high-profile teammates for much of the season but all-rounder Liam Hope-Shackley is rapidly becoming one of Gold Coast’s’ most important players.

A week after smashing his second century of the Queensland Premier Cricket season, the 26-year-old starred again with 4-27 and an unbeaten 94 as the Dolphins took control of their battle with Norths on Saturday.

Palm Beach Currumbin's Ryan Kettle (right) smashed a ton in Saturday’s win over Burleigh. Picture: Jerad Williams.

CULTURAL TURNAROUND KEY TO THUNDER REVIVAL

With new coaching Simon Belston bringing a breath of fresh air to the Gold Coast representative side, the Thunder on Sunday went within a whisker of claiming their first Schaeffer Shield since 2016.

While Darling Downs clinched the South Queensland crown with victory in their winner-takes-all encounter in Ipswich, Thunder players have bought in to Belston’s cultural overhaul and the chance to represent their city is once again cherished.

ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT KEY FOR ‘EMBARRASSED’ DOLPHINS

YOUNG DOLPHINS PROVING THEIR WORTH

Missing captain Belinda McDougall and WBBL trio Georgia Redmayne, Delissa Kimmince and Sammy-Jo Johnson, a youthful Gold Coast outfit stood up on Sunday to show they can remain a Katherine Raymont Shield force without their biggest names.

With stand-in captains Tara Wheeler and Carly Fuller leading the way, the Dolphins easily accounted for Valleys to register a third one-day win from as many games.

Gold Coast Dolphins all-rounder Carly Fuller.

BUSHMEN MAY BOAST BEST CUP DEPTH

Missing their five best players to Gold Coast representative duties, unbeaten Mudgeeraba Nerang showed off their Kookaburra Cup depth with an impressive 41-run win over Runaway Bay on Saturday.

Second on the ladder, the newly-crowned Twenty20 champions will face another massive test in Saturday’s showdown with ladder-leading Broadbeach Robina.

PERERA ADDS SRI LANKAN FLAVOUR TO SURFERS REVIVAL