Mature Bryant has Dolphins in the mix

A CENTURY from Max Bryant has put the Gold Coast Dolphins in the hunt for backto-back premier grade wins but coach Damian Wallis warns the job is far from over against Redlands.

Bryant continued what has been an impressive start to the season on Saturday, hitting 22 fours on his way to scoring 120 runs from 90 balls at Peter Burge Oval.

However, a lack of support around the opening batsman on a batting-friendly wicket had the visitors in trouble before a rear-guard action from Lewin Maladay (47), Trent Arnold (33) and Daniel Doran (32) helped the Dolphins to set a total of 277.

Wallis said there were many more runs that went begging as Redlands prepare to go in to day two next weekend at 1/44 thanks to more work from Bryant, this time with the ball.

“Max Bryant was really good for us,” Wallis said.

“His 100 in the first session was pretty special. If we are honest we probably left another 100 to 150 runs out there really just because it was a good pitch.

“Max showed that, but we got ourselves out quite a lot.

“Overall we are disappointed. Probably a lot of guys would admit there wasn’t many dismissals where the bowler got them out. It was just poor shots really.”

But Wallis said it was game on and was not worried about having to defend that total.

“We bowled well at the end and created a couple of chances we were happy with,” Wallis said.

“It’s definitely game on. “We are going to have to bowl well because it is a good wicket. There are possibly some of the Shield players that may come back.

“If they do it will make the job a bit harder.”

Bryant has now scored 377 runs this season at an average of 53.86. Wallis said added maturity and increased game awareness had helped improve Bryant’s performances.

“Max is an exceptional talent and we saw that last year,” Wallis said.

“The best thing we have seen from Max this year is the maturity.

“He is still using the same ball striking we know he has got but he is definitely thinking about the game a bit more.

“He is being patient and knowing when to take the game on. His development has been rapid this year.”