Secret to Dolphins’ success: Gold Coast go for back-to-back one day titles in QLD Premier Cricket

Meet the rising star of Qld cricket who has been compared to legendary cricketer Don Bradman ahead of his second grand final in just eight weeks.

Cricketer Caleb Ziebell hoping for clear skies on Sunday when the Gold Coast Dolphins play in the Kookaburra One Day Competition grand final. Picture Glenn Hampson

In just eight weeks of playing Queensland Premier Cricket, Caleb Ziebell will play in his second grand final — despite some telling him they don’t come around too often.

Country boy Ziebell comes from the tiny town of Cudgen in northern NSW, but has already made a name for himself as he looks to take on Premier League heavyweights Northern Suburbs on Sunday.

The 27-year-old cricketer and footballer instantly made a name for himself on debut, smashing a century and then weeks later earning man of the match honours in the Dolphins’ three-peat T20 series win.

But Ziebell said it was his friendship with Brisbane Heat batter Max Bryant that drew him to the club, who scouted him in the hopes of finding country NSW’s next best thing.

Cricketer Caleb Ziebell is hoping for clear skies on Sunday when the Gold Coast Dolphins play in the Kookaburra One Day Competition grand final. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“I’m good friends with Max Bryant, that’s kind of why I came here,” Ziebell said.

“Everyone’s saying that grand finals don’t come around too often, and I’m lucky enough to be in two straight up.”

It’s not the all-rounder’s first time at representative cricket though, as a member of the NSW Country side.

“We’re a bit more relaxed back home, we train once a week whereas here we train two or three times a week which I’m really enjoying, and the competitiveness.

“There’s Australian and Queensland players in this comp that you don’t get where I’m from.

“I’ve still got a few years left in me so if I can keep going higher I’ll keep doing it.”

And Ziebell might just be the Gold Coast hidden sporting gem, winning the 2018 Country Rugby League player of the year award with the Cudgen Hornets.

Caleb Ziebell bowling for Cudgen Cricket Club.

Playing coach Nick Buchanan said the addition of Ziebell had been integral for the Dolphins.

“We knew we were getting a good player, we didn’t realise it would be Don Bradman,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan is in his maiden year at the helm and said the club’s recent success was built long before he took the reigns.

“Since my time here we’ve had some great coaches with Damien Wallis, Chris Swan and then Trent Keep did a fabulous job last year,” Buchanan said.

“Our Director of Cricket Andrew Robinson, he’s been amazing in his first year in the role. It’s been a new partnership but the work he puts in, a lot goes unnoticed but he’s been a huge part of our success.

“The group is so young, our average age would be maybe just getting into the twenties so as a club it’s really exciting to have that (recent) success but also know it’s the start of something special for a long period of time.

“It’s a testament to the base that was laid and the boys that have done the work.”

Picture: Glenn Hampson

The Dolphins will once again face Norths after defeating them in the final last season.

“Norths are a great team, especially in white ball cricket they were there and thereabouts last year, we had the wood over them in the final but it’s flipped and they have a home game this year,” Buchanan said.

“It’s always tough when you’re the defending champions going in, but the boys haven’t put a foot wrong so far.”

The Dolphins will be bolstered by Brisbane Heat batter Bryant and bowler and Dolphins skipper Matt Kuhnemann.

In a massive out for the side, Heat bowlers Xavier Bartlett and Michael Neser will be unavailable due to Sheffield Shield duties.