IT seems almost a lifetime ago that James Faulkner accepted his Baggy Green cap from Australian great Shane Warne at The Oval.
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He took six wickets and made a combined 43 runs against England in his only Test with many thinking it was going to be the start of a long five-day format career.
A lot has happened for Launceston lad Jimmy since August 2013.
Several injuries, some poor form, a man-of-the-match performance in a victorious World Cup winning effort, a drink driving charge and his maiden Sheffield Shield century just last week.
The knock displayed everything that many had been waiting for, for the 26-year-old all-rounder to mature.
He showed resilience, patience, pride and his ability to bat. Faulkner was also Tasmania’s leading wicket-taker in that match against New South Wales.
The Launceston Church Grammar alumni averages 32.67 in first-class cricket with the bat – three more than dropped incumbent Mitch Marsh.
He also boasts a 24.54 first class bowling average – four less than his Western Australian competition.
Yet it appears selectors to date have seen him only as a limited overs specialist.
However, The Finisher is not finished.
Last week’s second career first-class hundred could not have been more timely as the national Test team finds itself under renovation.
Former opener Simon Katich this week called for Faulkner’s selection for Australia’s tour of India – music to the ears of many who think it has been a long time coming.
But why wait until February? Get him in for the First Test against Pakistan at the Gabba on December 15.
Katich, now an ABC Grandstand commentator, believes Faulkner is the perfect fit to tour the sub-continent.
“His first-class record is very good… when he first came on the scene he was a decent pace and swung it both ways. He’s dropped a little bit of pace now after a few injures,” Katich said.
“He has had a lot of international experience in shorter formats. He should get a look in at the very least.
“He is someone who is capable of batting at seven. He has done it a fair bit for Tasmania. It all depends on who the keeper is. They should definitely look at that option.”
Katich pointed out Australia’s tendency not to play an all-rounder in India by highlighting the successful 2004 tour.
Selectors opted for three quicks and a spinner in Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Warne.
In 2017, the attack could possibly be made up from Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Steve O’Keefe with Faulkner as the utility.
“I still think to win in India, I don’t think you should just pick spinners for the sake of it,” Katich said.
“They (India) love playing spin. Yes, it would be nice to have two spin options. But if it plays into their hands, then we shouldn’t do it.
“We’ve been successful against them in the past with the quicks doing the damage and the ball reversing. I’d be taking that into the account. Spin is what they grow up with.”
Faulkner has played 60 One Day International matches to great effect, scoring more than 900 runs and taking in excess of 180 wickets. He does like Indian conditions. Arguably his most famous performance in colours came in the nation of 1.2 billion people three years ago.
He hit 64 from just 29 balls to guide Australia home in Mohali and then two weeks later smashed his only ODI ton (116 from 73 balls) to no avail in Bangalore.
Faulkner averages 57 with the bat this Shield season and 37 in 60 ODIs. Yes, Nic Maddinson has only had one opportunity and deserves more but for team balance and a mixture of options – the Tassie left-arm seamer who can bat a bit fits the bill.
Tasmanian coach Dan Marsh has long said the talented Tiger was destined for Test match cricket. He was selected in the squad for the aborted tour of Bangladesh and now Marsh has fallen out of favour the timing could be right for Faulkner to get his chance.
What could go wrong? He could fail like the Marsh experiment or he could prosper and provide the Australians with the X-factor they crave.
The only question remains for the selectors – are you brave enough?
FAULKNER FILE
FIRST CLASS CAREER
- Matches: 59
- Innings: 89
- Runs: 2516
- Highest score: 121
- Average: 32.67
- Strike rate: 51.61
- 100s: 2
- 50s: 15
- Wickets: 186
- Best innings figures: 5-5
- Best match figures: 8-97
- Average: 24.54
- Strike rate: 50.2
- Economy: 2.93
ODI CAREER
- Matches: 59
- Runs: 908
- Batting average: 37.38
- 100s: 1
- 50s: 4
- Wickets: 80
- Bowling average: 31.07
- strike rate: 34.00.
T20 CAREER
- Matches: 21
- Runs: 142
- Batting average: 15.77
- Strike rate: 111.81
- Wickets: 31
- Bowling average: 19.51
- Strike rate: 14.4