Faulkner is desperate for big Blast
CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK
GLEN Chapple says James Faulkner is desperate to show what he can do as he returns to Lancashire for the Vitality Blast.
The Red Rose were due to begin their T20 bid last night against Worcestershire at Emirates Old Trafford as they look to put their poor form in the Royal London One-day Cup and Specsavers County Championship behind them.
Faulkner was part of the Lancashire side the IPL will give Faulkner – a member of Australia’s 2015 World Cup-winning side – plenty of hunger to perform in the Blast.
“He is a winner,” said Chapple. “He loved his time with us and we always wanted him back. He has played in big games. He bats and bowls at the death, he knows how to win and is good under pressure. He is the kind of player you want.
“The one thing he has had is a big lay-off after the Big Bash.
“And so this is a big competition for him having missed out on the IPL. He is desperate to show everybody what he can do.”
Chapple has been monitoring Faulkner’s fitness over the winter and says he has no concerns.
“The communication we have had from their medical team and Jimmy himself has been very positive,” said Chapple.
“The Big Bash was a strange competition for him and his team, they had a lot of bowling options and didn’t seem to know who was bowling where. But when he bowled he played well and he will be looking to play a bigger role for us.”
Having crashed out of the Royal London Cup at the group stage, and having failed to reach the knock-out stage of the T20 since winning it in 2015, Chapple says:
“We need to attack the competition and we have the squad to feel confident.”