FULL THROTTLE

Quick Meredith eager to tear into England

IT will be full speed ahead as Tigers and Hurricanes express quick Riley Meredith hopes to rough up England on his first Australian senior tour.

Meredith was one of three uncapped players selected as part of the 21-man squad for the three T20 and three oneday international tour against England.

The 24-year-old Clarence quick regularly pushes the mid to high-140s and has been a revelation with both red and white ball in recent seasons. Despite normally more seam and swing friendly conditions in England, he said he would be going full bore against the 50-over world champions.

“For me personally it is pretty much trying to go flat our basically all the time,” Meredith said.

“That’s why I’ve been picked basically on my pace.

“If I’m not doing that, there is not too much point me going over. I will definitely try and go flat out all the time.”

Not only is it his debut Australian tour, it is also his first trip to England. But it won’t be like any normal tour due to COVID-19 restrictions, which sees Meredith currently in quarantine at home before departing from Perth on Sunday.

It is not just bowling boots, bats, pads and helmets in Meredith’s kitbag for this tour. “We’ve been given heaps of masks, gloves, hand sanitisers and hand wipes and that sort of thing,” he said.

“When we go to the airport we will be masked up and gloved up for the whole trip pretty much and distancing from each other and the general public.

“That will be pretty much the whole travel.”

Meredith has been spoken about long before this selection, even if he described this call up as a shock.

Legendary spinner Shane Warne has been spruiking the young quick for the past two seasons, and calling on Meredith to be selected in all formats.

While flattered by the push, he said it had no impact come game day.

“When ever anyone puts your name up to be selected it is obviously a great honour,” he said.

“I’ve probably got to buy Warnie a beer at some stage when corona is over.”