Published: Sep 25, 2015, 02:19 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 25, 2015, 02:19 PM (IST)
James Faulkner, who was recalled to replace injured pacer Pat Cummins for Australia’s series against Bangladesh, is excited to be back in the Test squad and does not find it unusual for a side to play three all-rounders. Faulkner also spoke about being unhappy for Cummins, who was ruled out of the series with stress fractures in his back. “I’m close with Pat and have spent a lot of time with him, I’m shattered for him but it is nice to get the phone call,” Faulkner was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia’s official website at Cricket Tasmania’s season launch on Friday morning. Michael Clarke sympathises with Pat Cummins for missing Bangladesh tour
“A little while ago I got told that I was on standby, so I knew that I was there or thereabouts if someone went down with injury. I was just about to start a practice game for Tasmania and I literally picked up my phone as Rod (Marsh) was calling me so it was a nice phone call to get before I walked on to the ground for a little hit-out.” James Faulkner to replace injured Pat Cummins
Faulkner spoke about why Australia may go on to field two all-rounders or even three in Bangladesh. Apart from Faulkner, the Australian line-up also sport Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. Sridharan Sriram excited to play part in Australia’s development under Steven Smith
“I think most teams around the world now are playing two or three all-rounders so there’s no reason why we can’t all play together especially in those conditions as well,” he said. Peter Nevill to train with Brad Haddin ahead of Australia’s tour of Bangladesh 2015
“I’d like to think that playing at Bellerive when it’s been quite dry the last 12 or 18 months and then spending time in Manchester where the wickets were dry as well and reverse swing came in and spin, I’d like to think I’m a fair chance of playing but we’ll see what the selectors come up with.” Shane Watson urges Australian selectors to be patient with young cricketers
Faulkner is one of the five cricketers from the 15-member Test side to have played in Bangladesh before. While Faulkner played one match during ICC World T20 2014, Maxwell and Starc have played four T20 matches and Steven Smith has played three ODIs. Stephen O’Keefe, who also features in the Test squad, has played an Under-19 tournament in 2004 in Bangladesh.
“I get (my Baggy Green) out every now and again and have a look at it but there might be a little bit of dust on it because it’s been a good couple of years,” he said. Australia will have to curb aggression in Bangladesh: Steven Smith
Faulkner has played only one Test, during the Ashes 2013 at The Oval.
“It’s a different feeling and I’ve only got the taste once, but it was enough to keep driving me to get back into the squad and hopefully I can get an opportunity again and do well.”
“That was one of the reasons I was over in England playing county cricket, was to play some red-ball cricket—I didn’t get the opportunity to play in the last couple of seasons,” he said. “I got to play some back-to-back games in different conditions, which was foreign to myself, especially with the red ball. It was a good opportunity and I know Cricket Australia wanted me to do that, and it was something I wanted to do as well. I definitely learnt a lot, about the conditions over there but about my own game as well.”
Speaking about his Tasmanian teammate Andrew Fekete, who could make his Test debut for Australia, due to Cummins’ injury, Faulkner said, “I think it will open the door a little bit for him, but we’ll just have to wait and see what 11 they want to go with.”
“I saw him bowl again today and he had some really good rhythm, so he’s in good form and hopefully he gets the nod and makes his Test debut for Australia.”
Australia’s national selector Rod Marsh said, “James comes back into the Australia Test side having only played the one Test, but he is an exciting young bowler who could be very handy in the conditions we are likely to see in Bangladesh.”
