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Tassie all-rounder ready for big summer after knee injury woes

THREE years after his bowling heroics helped win the Cricket World Cup, Australian cricket’s forgotten man James Faulkner is ready to get his career back on track.

A debilitating right-knee injury has blighted Faulkner for the past two seasons as he went from being one of the premier international white-ball allrounders to losing his Cricket Australia contract last year.

A request to end his sevenyear stint with the Melbourne Stars and return to Tasmania was granted and the left-arm quick said being in his home state had refreshed him mentally and physically.

“I had a great seven years in Melbourne but it’s been great be back at home, surrounded by close friends and family,” Faulkner said yesterday.

“You do begin to doubt yourself when things aren’t going right on the pitch. Fortunately, I am not shy of talking about things with teammates and other players.

“My knee feels as good as it ever has, and I also have a great support network around me who help keep me going and that is something I am very lucky to have.”

A successful two-month spell in the UK with Lancashire ended on Saturday with defeat to Worcestershire in the semifinals of England’s T20 Blast competition at Edgbaston.

But that loss hasn’t dimmed Faulkner’s enjoyment of his return to Manchester, though he could be in doubt for Wednesday’s JLT One-Day Cup clash for Tasmania against Victoria because of a calf injury he picked up in Birmingham.

With the World Cup being played in the UK next year, Faulkner hopes his experience and previous success in English conditions can catapult him back into the thoughts of the Australian selectors.

A second-string attack was pulverised by England’s batsmen in a 5-0 ODI series loss earlier this year and Faulkner’s banking on a strong white-ball season for Tasmania to prove he’s not washed up at 28.

“I’ve never given up hope of playing for Australia again,” he said. “I think I can still offer something and my experience of English conditions will hopefully carry some weight.

“But I know that counts for nothing unless I can have a strong season for Tasmania and that is my goal. I would love to be back here helping us retain our World Cup.”