James Faulkner ready to push Test case
Dec 3, 2016 - 6:00 PM A reborn and rejuvenated James Faulkner is ready to push his long-form credentials when the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series gets underway at the SCG on Sunday.After overcoming a chronic knee problem, the allrounder is showing promising signs he is ready to break his reputation as a limited overs specialist.
He last month posted a significant milestone when he made his maiden Sheffield Shield ton - a gutsy 100 not out which allowed Tasmania to draw with NSW.
The knock hasn't gone unnoticed by Australian team management and skipper Steve Smith said he was impressed with the 26-year-old's evolution.
"I think you always have to reinvent yourself as a player," Smith said.
"If you're around for a little while guys understand what you're trying to do and they see a lot more of you. So they understand you and the way you play.
"You always have to reinvent yourself and evolve as a player and I think he's working incredibly hard on his game. It was great for him to score his first 100 in first class cricket last week so he's confident, he's in reasonable nick."
Faulkner played his lone Test at The Oval against England in 2013 but is ready to place pressure on Mitch Marsh for the allrounder position.
He is averaging 57 this Shield season while former Australian opener Simon Katich last week declared he should be considered for February's tour of India.
He has also taken 80 wickets from 59 one-day appearances at an average of 31.07.
Faulkner has in recent months been battling a knee injury, suffered on the one-day tour of Sri Lanka, which forced him to miss a Shield clash ,and has had blood injected into his leg to aid recovery.
Cricket Australia guidelines restricted him to bowling just 15 overs, despite opening the bowling, against NSW.
Source: AAP
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