Hugo’s delight among mates

THE youthful surrounds of the Gold Coast Dolphins are bringing out the best in Hugo Burdon as he juggles Queensland Premier Cricket commitments with another looming representative assignment.

Named last week in the Queensland squad for December’s national under-19 championships, the 17-year-old will first aim to guide the Dolphins to back-to-back two-day wins when they resume their battle with Sunshine Coast at Bill Pippen Oval today.

Burdon claimed 1-25 with his legspin as the Scorchers were dismissed for 255 on day one last weekend, with the hosts to recommence their pursuit 0-8 this morning.

Now in his second season of first grade, Burdon has been among Gold Coast’s most reliable performers, scoring 183 runs at 36.60 from second drop to go with 11 wickets at 17.45.

In a Dolphins side brimming with youth, he said feeling at ease with his teammates had aided his meteoric rise.

“I think that (my form) is testament to the boys I’ve got around me, they’ve been able to make the environment and step up from second grade really easy,” Burdon, who represented Queensland at under-17 and 19 level last season, said.

“Being a young team it makes it easier to relate to them because we’re all from the same generation. I feel comfortable and am comfortable

expressing myself now. Those boys have made it a lot easier. “Personally I’ve had an all-right start (to the season) but looking for maybe some more consistency and (today) is a good chance for that. We’ve got a decent total to chase down.

“We’re going to have to do a lot of hard work early but at the Dolphins, if you can get through the first session unscathed there’s a lot of runs there.

“If we can get partnerships going, 250 is definitely a competitive score but both teams have a chance to win.”

A Surfers Paradise junior, Burdon played a crucial role in the Dolphins’ last-start win over reigning two-day champions University of Queensland, posting 54 in their successful run chase.

The key now, he said, was backing it up.

“It would be good if we can get two wins on the trot. The Dolphins aren’t really renowned for consistency but being able to pull out anything on the day,” he said.

“Definitely I think last game was a good confidencebooster versing a quality side like Uni. With the side we’ve got we’ve got to start making inroads towards the finals.”