BILLY IN FAST LANE
HE’S the Gold Coast tearaway who’s odds-on to conquer Shoaib Akhtar’s pace record while rated a future superstar by cricket great Ricky Ponting.
Billy Stanlake has the world at his size 13 feet.
Stanlake, 23, can break cricket’s magical 150km/h barrier but boasts explosive upside. He is finally injury free, relishing the core strength to sustain his 204cm frame and express pace.
A fit Stanlake means Pakistan firebrand Akhtar’s 161.3km/h record could be on the line this summer.
HE’S the Gold Coast tearaway who’s odds-on to conquer Shoaib Akhtar’s pace record while rated a future superstar by Ricky Ponting. Billy Stanlake has the world at his size 13 feet.
Stanlake, 23, can break cricket’s magical 150km/h barrier but boasts explosive upside. Stanlake is finally injury free, relishing the core strength to sustain his 204cm frame and express pace.
“I will put the work in and as I get stronger and older I can see if I can push the boundaries a lot more,” Stanlake said.
Pakistan firebrand Akhtar hurled the fastest recorded delivery at 161.3km/h against England at Newlands in 2003.
Australian Shaun Tait pushed Akhtar’s mark with a 161.1km/h thunderbolt against England at Lord’s in 2010.
“I will always want to aim for higher, I’ve done it over the past couple of years even though I have had injuries,”
said the Cricket Australiacontracted Stanlake, who has been restricted to two firstclass games for Queensland by back stress fractures but is playing for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.
“I have put a lot of work in to my body to allow that pace although it has been frustrating with injuries,” he said.
“I feel like I can continue to push a little bit higher, that is always the goal.”
Pat Cummins, 24, waited seven years between his first and second Tests for Australia – due to debilitating back and foot injuries – to lead this summer’s Ashes wicket-tally (23).
Stanlake, like Cummins, has emerged from the dark of injury disillusion.
“We went through very similar injury paths. To see Pat doing so well across all forms gives a good sense I can play red ball cricket,” said Stanlake, who was hospitalised by a serious toe infection in September,” he said.
“A lot of hard, strength and conditioning work has gone on behind the scenes with Paul Chapman, Queensland’s strength and conditioning coach.
“I am catching up with my height, being 204cm at 16 years was a challenge to bowl. I am starting to see my body progress, mature and increased pace again.
Adelaide will miss skipper Travis Head, keeper Alex Carey and Stanlake on international duty when they take on Melbourne Renegades in the BBL semi-final tomorrow.