Published: Apr 15, 2016, 12:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 15, 2016, 12:41 PM (IST)
Australia ace pacer James Faulkner aims to return in Test cricket and not be branded as one Test wonder. Despite playing a key role in short-format, Faulkner was found playing in a dead rubber fifth Test of the 2013 Ashes, that did not help to showcase his talents in Test cricket. Faulkner, donned the role of finisher with his all round performance in ICC World Cup 2015 final. While expressing his interest in Test cricket, Faulkner said, “I’m a ‘one-Test wonder’ at the moment. I want to play Test cricket. I just need to get some big scores and get wickets. That’s the only way you can force your way back in. Whether that’s batting five, six, seven, eight, wherever it is I need to get runs. And bowling, it’s always been stock standard with me, ever since I started.” READ: T20 World Cup 2016: James Faulkner believes having good variations in T20s can make life difficult for batsmen
Due to the schedule in short-format cricket, Faulkner has been unable to give time to Test cricket. Yet he gathered all the experience in last year’s England county championship. Faulkner has played seven matches for Lancashire in Division Two, grabbing 23 wickets. He secured 310 runs which included 121 against Surrey that gave him his maiden first-class century. While speaking to cricket.com.au, he added, “I definitely enjoyed playing with the Dukes (cricket ball) over there. It was tough conditions, a lot different to back home. We had everything where I was playing at Lancashire; there was reverse (swing), there was spin, and all the other grounds there was a lot of swing and seam.” READ: IPL 2016: Keshav Bansal happy to have experienced players in Gujarat Lions
Faulkner also recalled a memory where he was caught for drinking and driving in England last July; how he has matured from the incident. Faulkner was banned from driving in UK by the Manchester Magistrate. He was also suspended by Cricket Australia for four matches as a result. Faulkner conceded, “It’s definitely the biggest mistake I’ve made so far in my life. It was definitely a wake-up call. A lot of it is just about growing up as a person as well. I’ve put it behind me and at the moment it’s just about playing cricket and trying to play as well as I can.”
After the ban of Rajasthan Royals, Faulkner is now playing for new franchise The Gujarat Lions lead by Suresh Raina. He has also been part of Kings XI Punjab and Pune Warriors in the earlier editions.
