Stanlake’s foot issue toe-tally frustrating
BILLY Stanlake has battled stress fractures in his back, pelvis and feet but a pesky big toe has proved to be his most frustrating challenge.
The Gold Coast product has finally been cleared to make his return and will feature for the Adelaide Strikers in the upcoming Big Bash League.
The towering quick put himself in the record books last summer when he became the tallest ever player in Australia’s national cricket history.
At 204cm, “Big Billy” made his One-Day International and Twenty20 debuts for Australia on the back of strong fast bowling performances in the BBL. But the 23-year-old now faces a big fight to wear the canary yellow this summer after being struck down by a bizarre toe problem.
“I got the toe infection after the first round of club cricket (this season),” Stanlake said.
“I had an open wound on the top of the big toe from bowling and it kept getting worse. It was pretty nasty. I couldn’t walk on it.
“I ended up having surgery in early September. They had to cut it open and clean out the infection.
“I’ve had (injuries) but this has been the most frustrating. Your body feels good but there is a toe keeping you out.”
“Every time we thought we were on track, something would go wrong. I’ve changed footwear. I tried cutting a hole in the shoe but that cut me up as well,” Stanlake said.
“We’ve tinkered around with some things and we seem to have come up with a way to stop it happening again.”
Stanlake is a player of national interest and in April secured the last contract on Cricket Australia’s list of 20, highlighting the promise seen in him by national selectors.
But he has some work to do to win back his spot in the national side against England next month. Stanlake was struck down by illness in his ODI debut against Pakistan at the Gabba, limiting him to three overs, and took one wicket in his second match.
His focus is on lifting the Strikers into BBL contention this summer but national honours are still a goal after his unfortunate debut.
“I was crook and didn’t really recognise it on the day,” Stanlake said. “I’d love to get back into that (national) set up. It’s always what you’re striving for. It’s still a long way away. I’ve got to get myself ready and firing for the BBL.”
Stanlake will join his Strikers teammates in Adelaide on Monday ahead of their tournament opener against Sydney Thunder on December 22.