Arnold finds silver lining after injury
AFTER years on the fringe, Trent Arnold is finally cementing his status as a Queensland Premier Cricket top grader.
The 21-year-old all-rounder has played all five matches this season and, without starring, has done enough to show that he is here to stay.
Last Saturday he backed up a handy lower-order knock of 20 by claiming three wickets with his medium pace, including the prize scalp of Australian Test opener Matthew Renshaw.
“I have been really impressed with how Trent has gone,” Dolphins coach Damian Wallis said.
“The runs he has scored probably don’t signal how well he has played because quite often he has come in at tough times and has rebuilt the innings.
“He is going along really well and is going to be an important player for us this year with his all-round ability.
“I think he finally feels like he belongs in first grade.”
Arnold, the younger brother of Dolphins seamer Josh, admitted self-doubt had surfaced in the past but declared he was feeling comfortable now, better placed with work commitments and with a niggling groin injury no longer troubling him.
It was that injury that actually sparked his batting improvement in recent seasons to become more of a genuine all-rounder.
“I just started batting more. Batting every week and doing a little bit extra on the batting has really helped a lot,” Arnold said.
“I’m working hard, training hard with my batting. I put a lot of time into it.
“I’m just a bit disappointed about the starts but other than that I am feeling pretty good with the bat.”
His role may be about to become more critical than ever, with all-rounders Michael Neser and Max Bryant away on JLT Cup duties.
The pair lined up against one another yesterday, for Queensland and the Cricket Australia XI respectively.
Bryant starred in just his second match at state level, belting 60 off 48 balls at the top of the order.
Matt Kuhnemann has also joined the CA XI squad but has been named to take his place for the Dolphins in their two-day match against Valleys starting today at Bill Pippen Oval.
Cameron Francis and Xavier Bartlett will return to the side while batsman Josh Nelson and paceman Nathan Lyons have been promoted.
Nelson has scored back-toback half-centuries in second grade, while Lyons has taken six wickets in three games.
I THINK HE FINALLY FEELS LIKE HE BELONGS IN FIRST GRADE DOLPHINS COACH DAMIAN WALLIS ON TRENT ARNOLD