Pace pair split role
QUEENSLAND Bulls management policies have forced the Gold Coast Dolphins into rotating their pace pair in Brisbane Premier Grade matches this weekend.
With last season’s Bulls player of the year Michael Neser, the club captain, over a hip issue the Dolphins had hoped to play him and Australian under-19 representa- tive Xavier Bartlett against Redlands today and against Northern Suburbs tomorrow, both 50-overs affairs.
But the Bulls have told the Dolphins that Neser will play today at Bill Pippen Oval against Redlands and that Bartlett will take his place tomorrow at Ian Healy Oval.
“The Bulls’ workload management policies mean that Michael and Xavier are able to play only one match each,” coach Damian Wallis said.
“So we sort of have to do that. Ness will be playing against Redlands and Xavier against Norths.”
Neser will boost the Dolphins batting against Redlands. The Coast line-up has also been strengthened by Round 1 star Cameron Francis, back after a weekend off through illness.
Francis impressed in the opening one-dayer, making 89 in a win against Wynnum-Manly.
“We’ll have a lot of batting with Cameron and Ness back in the side,” Wallis said.
Making way for the return of Francis is Jack Hargraves who will eventually be fighting for a place in the top order once last season’s well-performed Liam Hope-Shackley returns from England.
Ahead of the Dolphins is another round of one-day fixtures to be followed, on the weekends of September 30 and October 7 by the first of the two-day matches.
The Dolphins come up against Valley at Bill Pippen Oval for that match.
THE BULLS’ WORKLOAD MANAGEMENT POLICIES MEAN THAT MICHAEL AND XAVIER ARE ABLE TO PLAY ONLY ONE MATCH EACH ... DOLPHINS COACH DAMIAN WALLIS