No shield return for big Billy Stanlake

Australian pace sensation Billy Stanlake is set to go another season without playing first-class cricket but remains optimistic he can build towards a long international career.

Regularly hitting the 150km/h mark and producing lethal bounce and swing, the 204cm-tall quick has been a revelation in the current Twenty20 tri-series with New Zealand and England.

The challenge for Cricket Australia is managing his fragile body with an eye towards eventually unleashing him on the Test arena.

Stanlake has gone more than two years without first-class cricket after multiple back injuries and, most recently, a toe infection that almost led to the digit being amputated.

The 23-year-old is desperate to add to his two first-class matches, but this week confirmed he would not play any part in Queensland’s remaining Sheffield Shield campaign.

“I don’t think so. It doesn’t look like it at this stage,” Stanlake said.

“Unfortunately, my workloads aren’t quite up to scratch just due to the fact that I missed that first half of the season because of the toe infection.

“I’d love to be able to play Shield cricket. It’s always a goal for me to get back to playing that. But I’m also realistic and know everything that’s been put in place is looking out for my best interests.

“I’ve got another big off-season of Twenty20 cricket again, so hopefully with that coming up I can have a really good base to build off for the start of next season.”

Stanlake will again play in the IPL this year after being snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in last month’s auction.

A debut campaign with Yorkshire in the UK’s T20 Blast is also understood to be on the cards.

Arguably the most exciting young fast bowler on the domestic scene, Stanlake’s talent was underscored when Cricket Australia last year awarded him a coveted central contract.