PACEMAN WANTS BERTH, WICKETS
THE Big Bash League may be a batsmen’s paradise, but bowlers such as Mark Steketee are hellbent on trying to bask in some glory of their own.
“No one comes to watch a nice outswinger,” the young Brisbane Heat quick says with a laugh.
“They come to watch Lynny (captain Chris Lynn), Maxy (Max Bryant) and Cuts (Ben Cutting) hit sixes.
“Sometimes you feel like a bit of a bowling machine.
“But we also play a massive part in winning games, especially at the Gabba (where) it’s probably the best wicket for batters to play on ... such a nice, true wicket, fast outfield.
“We’ve just got to do the best job we can to reduce their (opponents) scoring ... and then watch the show from the sideline.”
Away from actual match play, Steketee admits it can be hard work bowling in the nets to Lynn and co. South African superstar and marquee Heat signing A.B. de Villiers will also arrive after Christmas.
“They just keep slogging,” Steketee says.
“Some days you might take a couple of wickets. Those wickets don’t count, unfortunately.
“We’ve also had a pretty strong batting line-up to bowl against in the nets. I think it’s good for us and good for them. You can work out plans.”
Steketee is hoping to put those plans in place tonight in the BBL opener against the Sydney Thunder in front of what will be a packed crowd at the Gabba.
Though a member of the Heat squad for six campaigns now, after he debuted in 2014, the Warwick product only played two games last season.
He admits it was a little bit frustrating sitting on the sideline.
“I was more frustrated in myself really,” he said.
“In the two games I played I didn’t perform the way I wanted to ... or needed to.
“That’s T20 cricket – you’ve got to be on from the word go.”
Steketee comes off some outstanding Sheffield Shield form. The right-armed took nine wickets in the recent win over Tasmania (5/19 and 4/32) to have 20 for the season to sit fifth on the wicket-taking table.
It comes after he was named the Queensland Bulls’ players of 2018-19 as the leading wickettaker in both the domestic onedayers (14) and Shield (42 @ 20.7)
With Rockhampton’s Brendan Doggett gone to the Thunder and James Pattinson a possible starter for the Australian Test team, Steketee is more than ready to rejoin the attack.
“I’m in good form,” he said. “I was pretty fortunate to perform in the one-dayers as well.
“I don’t think much changes... it’s about doing the basics really well... and hopefully get a bit of luck. There is a few opportunities there obviously.
“We’ve got a very well-balanced bowling attack with a couple of overseas spinners (Afghan pair Zahir Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman) and Swepo (Mitch Swepson).
“It depends on what they (selectors) want to go with teamwise. (But) it’s really exciting for us as a group.”
Steketee is rapt to have Australian great Darren Lehmann on board as coach.
“Boof has been awesome,” he said. “Really relaxed. Just wants us to have a good time.”