 In the first-class Sheffield Shield, he played three matches in the middle of season, with Queensland's usual wicket-keeper, Ian Healy, having been called up to play for the national side.On debut against South Australia, he recorded what was to be his highest first-class score, scoring 74 runs and featuring in a 124-run partnership for the seventh wicket with captain Greg Ritchie.Competing with Peter Anderson for the keeper's spot in the absence of Healy, Drinnen played only two Shield matches the following season, with his last match for Queensland coming in March 1990, in the semi-final of the limited-overs FAI Cup.