Max’s power reaping reward
DAVID Warner may no longer be the poster boy of Australian cricket but his rampaging stroke-play has inspired a new generation to go hard or go home.
Queensland Bulls opener Max Bryant, at just 19, has a belligerence which is Warneresque and a series of promising scores in the JLT Cup have caught the eye.
So far the Gold coast Dolphins master blaster has managed 30, 23, 21, 71, 36 and 45 and his top score of 71 included the fastest ever 50 by a Queenslander (23 balls) in interstate 50-over cricket.
“I grew up trying to hit the ball as hard as I could and my game went from there,’’ said Murwillumbah-born Bryant, who returned to the Coast at the age of seven after three years in Townsville.
“I admired Warner. He or AB de Villiers were my favourites.’’
The Bulls will play Tasmania in today’s JLT Cup semi-final at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney.
Like Warner, Bryant has a background in rugby league.
The son of a policeman first played rugby league as a fouryear-old and once held a threeyear deal with the Gold Coast Titans before making the decision two years ago to go with cricket.
“I do miss rugby league but not as much any more because I love playing cricket,” he said.
“I had a really good offseason. I got fitter and stronger and worked on my strengths and weaknesses.
“It was not so much dropping weight because I have put it on with muscle. I have done some more running and become fitter and leaner.
“Just being clear on every ball helps me. Getting into good positions and not thinking too much about it.’’
The Bulls don’t try to shackle Bryant’s attacking flair.
“They just tell me to play my brand of cricket and not change anything and everyone will bat around you,” he said.
“I don’t really have any technique I have copied.’’