Nelson always had eye on first grade

JOSH Nelson will cap a rapid rise by making his Queensland Premier Cricket first grade debut for Gold Coast today.

The Mudgeeraba Nerang stalwart made an irresistible case for selection last weekend, scoring 136 not out in his maiden second grade innings before backing that up with 82 in the Sunday one-dayer.

His promotion to a likely No.4 berth in the first XI comes after he had for several years been eyeing a step up to try his hand with the Dolphins.

“I stayed at club cricket because I was pretty loyal to Mudgeeraba,” Nelson said.

“About two years ago I was going to go across and then I thought maybe I want to try and get Mudgee a premiership.

“Then I was going to come last year, I was definitely going to go but then Mudgee appointed Cam Garnham as coach again ... he brought me up through juniors and all that kind of stuff.

“So I thought it would be good to maybe learn a little bit more and then definitely go to grade cricket the year after which is this year.”

The 23-year-old had played with Mudgeeraba since the age of six. From his teen years, the gifted right-hander became one of the most prolific batsmen in the Cricket Gold Coast competition, plundering 2494 first grade runs at a more than respectable average of 35.63.

Now, Nelson wants to cement himself in the Dolphins’ top side.

“Excited, nervous at the same time but pretty keen to try to start the first grade off with a bang and score some runs,” he said on the eve of today’s two-day fixture against Toombul at Bill Pippen Oval.

He noted the added level of professionalism in the way a premier club operates and trains had been noticeable and praised playing coach Damian Wallis for his help.

“Damian has been really positive towards me and yeah always taking his time to help,” Nelson said.

Wallis described Nelson as a “solid, calming” influence at the crease and was delighted to see him demand a promotion through sheer weight of runs.

“That is exactly what we wanted,” Wallis said.

“We want to be promoting guys who are scoring big hundreds and a few others got runs as well so that was pleasing to see in second grade.”