Starting 2005-06 without a rookie contract or a match with the Queensland 2nd XI, the legspinner Daniel Doran experienced a dramatic elevation as he ended the summer with a Pura Cup trophy and a place at the Academy. Doran was an unknown club bowler in Victoria when he moved to the Gold Coast in 2003, but after a couple of seasons of wickets he was promoted into Queensland's representative squads and earned his first-class debut against Western Australia, picking up five wickets for the match. Three victims in the final, including a wicked pitch-outside-leg-hit-off delivery to David Hussey with his first ball of the second innings, pushed his tally to 15 at an exceptional 28.46.

That winter was spent at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, where he worked with Terry Jenner, and he was included on the Academy's tour to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. He played all ten Pura Cup matches for Queensland in 2006-07, but suffered a bout of second-season blues that was not helped by Brisbane's unresponsive pitches. Only ten wickets came his way in 156 overs and he finished with an unflattering average of 70.50. He had similar numbers last season - ten at 72.90 - and the early confidence had gone, but he will be boosted by the departure of Jimmy Maher, who never seemed sure how to use him, and a more sympathetic leader in the offspinner Chris Simpson. A trip to England filled his winter and included a 2nd XI game for Kent against Middlesex.

In 2005, Doran, who also has 2nd XI experience with Nottinghamshire and Surrey, was invited to be a net bowler for England during a club stint in the United Kingdom. Asking if he could stay on for the Australia session, he ended up chatting with Stuart MacGill as he got a look at some of his future interstate opponents. A strong turner of the ball, Doran carries a lot of variations and isn't afraid to try them.
Peter English August 2008

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Jan 17, 2006 Michael Kasprowicz and Daniel Doran put on 73 for the last wicket © Getty Images

Jan 17, 2006 Daniel Doran is congratulated after taking the wicket of Clint Heron © Getty Images

Jan 15, 2006 Daniel Doran is mobbed by his team-mates © Getty Images

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