Hometown hero James Faulkner has not been shy to reveal that the allrounder has required injections to ensure his 29-year-old body can play through the Big Bash season.
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The pain relief has eased a troublesome knee that has plagued Faulkner for years.
The 2015 World Cup man-of-the-match in Australia's win at the MCG expects to be physically at his best for some time in a welcome trip to Launceston for the Hobart Hurricanes on Monday.
"I know it's easy to say this, but it's actually alright at the moment," Faulkner said.
"I had a few injections at the start of the tournament and they are just starting to kick in, which is pretty good to be honest - I'm not limping around like I was before.
"So, hopefully it can stay good for this whole tournament and I can perform."
Despite preseason injections turning back time, the treatment failed to prevent the Hurricanes from resting Faulkner only one game into their upbeat T20 campaign.
Not only was Faulkner out, but the 37-year-old George Bailey also did not lineup in Moe after team management had planned ahead to play the pair sparingly early on.
"It was the main reason to miss, flying all the way to the heat of Alice Springs and then back to Melbourne and on a bus to Moe isn't ideal for myself or George - even though, George has eight years on me," he said. "It was always the plan and I will just try and do what I am told."
That left the Launceston and South Launceston favourite sons watching from home while Melbourne Stars decimated an out-of-sorts Hurricanes finding their feet in a second regional venue.
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The Tasmanian outfit has a chance for redemption eight days later at UTAS Stadium, but that was lost on Faulkner.
"I don't look at that stuff too much - it's just another game to be honest," he said.
"At the end of the day, we want to be playing as much good cricket as we can, making playoffs - that's our goal."
The Hurricanes - perhaps more so than Faulkner, who has played in both of the side's two wins - have plenty of room for improvement.
Since that 52-run loss, the home side bounced back to beat Melbourne Renegades by seven wickets in Hobart.
But Faulkner said there is "lessons in every game".
"We spoke about it as a group that our first 10 overs weren't too crash hot with the ball, so we'll look to turn that around this time. I thought our last half with the ball was pretty good," he said.
That occasion Dale Steyn was not playing either, still nursing a side strain for the Stars' opening two matches.
The South African pace great returned on Friday, but was collared on his Big Bash debut after two sixes and two fours in his opening four balls until ending Jake Weatherald's sway that over.
Faulkner expects to find Steyn set to renew hostilities.
"He is always fired up - that's what makes him one of the best bowlers in the world," he said. "I've played with him in the IPL and he'll be back up for the contest because he's a performer."
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