Bryant getting the max from talents
HE has been dubbed capable of becoming “the next David Warner” but boom Brisbane Heat teenager Max Bryant could easily have been making a name for himself in a different sport altogether.
The Tweed product spent his upbringing dedicating summers to cricket and winters to rugby league.
A five-eighth for Cudgen, Bryant came through the Gold Coast NRL junior pathways and was quickly identified by then Titans under-20 coach Ben Woolf as one to keep an eye on.
“Very, very good kicking game,” recalled Woolf, now the Queensland Cup coach at Tweed Heads, of Bryant.
“He was a good league player … I think he is a kid that possibly would have got into a 20s squad.”
But Bryant instead chose to pursue a career in cricket. It’s a decision that is now paying dividends.
Bryant, 18 years and 264 days, was yesterday officially unveiled on a senior Heat contract – understood to be for two seasons – having spent last summer on the Big Bash League franchise’s books on a rookie deal.
Brisbane coach Daniel Vettori spoke highly of the big-hitting Gold Coast Dolphins
opener. “Max has had a taste of what it is like in the BBL and now as a part of the full squad, we believe he can continue to develop his game,” Vettori said.
“He’s got some good physical gifts so hopefully we can provide some more insights for him,’’ he said.”
Former Queensland star Chris Swan, who presented Bryant with his maiden state second XI cap this month, described him as a “prodigious talent”.
“He has got talent that kids his age don’t,” Swan elaborated.
Dolphins, Bulls and Adelaide Strikers player Michael Neser recently told the Bulletin “he definitely has the skillset where he can be the next David Warner”. Bryant has enjoyed a breakout season, plundering two hundreds for Gold Coast as well as belting rapid half-centuries in the JLT Cup for the Cricket Australia XI against Queensland and NSW.
He yesterday hit 49 for the Queensland Academy of Sport in a match against the England Lions at Allan Border Field.
Bryant was announced as one of three signings, alongside Cameron Gannon and Cameron Valente, as the Heat finalised their squad.