Coast’s set to play it to Max

LET the cat and mouse begin.

The Gold Coast Dolphins are set for an intriguing morning at Bill Albury Oval in Brisbane today, with Wynnum Manly tipped to resume their innings at 6-305.

Dolphins opening batsman Kevin Chapman believes it is still well and truly game on.

“It isn’t all doom and gloom – it is still a small outfield and a good deck so I don’t think 300 is enough,” the 30-year-old said.

He expects Wynnum to bat on for the best part of an hour in pursuit of quick runs.

“I suppose it depends how fast they get away in the morning so it is a crucial time for us to bowl the right areas, dry them up and take a bit of time out of the game as well,” Chapman said.

With natural strokemakers such as Liam Hope-Shackley, Lewin Maladay and Max Bryant – who has returned from state duties to be Chapman’s third consecutive new opening partner – “340 in a day isn’t unachievable”.

“We’re here to win cricket … with Max doing what he does, I’m hoping to be able to just stand back and watch the show,” he said.

Chapman is enjoying his return to the Dolphins – he played in their 2008-09 premiership win alongside the likes of Andrew Symonds – having spent recent years at Mudgeeraba Nerang.

“It has been nine seasons since I was playing for the Dol- phins so it is great to come back and be around the lads,” he said.

“It is a really young side and young club – I’m probably one of the oldest in the top two grades.

“It is good to be back challenging myself. I hope to keep progressing and start winning a few games with the boys and change the culture a bit.”’

Grayson Jones (59) and Alister McDermott (three) are at the crease for Wynnum.

Ex-Queensland seamer McDermott is likely to be a roadblock to Gold Coast’s progress with the bat, coming off a last-start 6-66.

WITH MAX (BRYANT) DOING WHAT HE DOES, I’M HOPING TO BE ABLE TO JUST STAND BACK AND WATCH THE SHOW

KEVIN CHAPMAN

GOLD Coast duo Hugo Burdon and Josh Kann have been named in Queensland’s squad to contest the under-19 national championships.

Burdon and Toombul spinner Ryan Walker were selected having already helped Queensland to joint national champion status at under-17 level this month.

Burdon has scored 68 runs at 22.67 for the Dolphins in the early rounds of his rookie premier cricket season, while Kann has collected four wickets to date.

John Davison is the coach.