IT’S going to be a very exciting summer for Tasmanian spinner Xavier Doherty.
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The 31-year-old’s calendar is already packed with domestic and T20 Champions League competition and it is more than likely the former George Town cricketer will be adding international duties to his plate.
Australia will play internationals against Zimbabwe, Pakistan and South Africa in preparation for next year’s World Cup, which includes a fixture against Scotland at Bellerive Oval.
Doherty said the chance to represent his country in a World Cup in front of his home crowd would be a dream come true.
‘‘That’s the goal for me,’’ he said.
‘‘To play in a home World Cup is pretty special and then to have an Australia game scheduled in Hobart, my family are up here but they’re not far away, so I think I’ll be hitting up Cricket Australia for a few extra tickets for that game.’’
‘‘We’ve got a few bridges to cross before that happens but it’s a pretty exciting prospect if that’s the way it pans out.’’
Doherty said while preparations for the Tasmanian season were at the forefront of his mind, he was looking forward to playing for his country at international level.
‘‘I think they pick an Australian squad over the next couple of weeks to tour Zimbabwe, so obviously if I’m in that it’s a pretty good indication I’ll be in their minds for the World Cup.’’
Having qualified for September’s T20 Champions League, Doherty’s Hobart Hurricanes will come up against a George Bailey-led Kings XI Punjab in the group stages.
‘‘It’s going to be a pretty interesting contest,’’ he said.
‘‘Given the fact he’s the captain of both teams he’s going to know us pretty well, but I think it’s a great achievement for Tasmanian cricket and the Hobart Hurricanes to be in that competition.