ROCKIN' RILEY

Tassie quick's chance to make Test case

TASMANIA’S 150km/h arm-breaking paceman Riley Meredith could become a “smoky” to play for Australia in the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane with a firebrand performance for Australia A against the tourists in Perth starting Monday.

Test legend Shane Warne has touted the Tasmanian Tiger and Hobart Hurricanes express as one of the next big things in Australian cricket.

After dismissing the world’s best batsman Steve Smith twice in four days and breaking the wrist of teammate Jordan

Silk in the nets, Meredith is preparing to bring his firebreathing speed to the touring Pakistanis.

Meredith, 23, told cricket.com.au he still felt bad about sidelining Silk for a month.

“It wasn’t ideal,” he said. “It was a weird one. It didn’t really bounce or get up that high, it just hit his hand.

“He walked straight out of the nets. It didn’t look great from the outset.

“I texted him that night and just said, ‘Sorry mate’. It’s just one of those things.”

Meredith’s speed and swing for the Hurricanes last summer not only made him a nightmare for BBL batters, it caught the attention of Warne, plus former Test pacemen Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, who identified him as a potential international.

Meredith took 27 wickets at 28.96 in eight Sheffield Shield matches last summer and has already added 14 in Tasmania’s first three games of this season, including a maiden five-wicket haul against a Smith and David Warner-led NSW.

Meredith was surprised when Trevor Hohns rang him with news of his selection to face Pakistan.

“There are so many good bowlers out there, I wasn’t really expecting a call,” he said. “Any international opposition is going to be a challenge, but playing against Steve Smith and David Warner the other week should get you ready for that. It’s awesome getting picked, but there’s so many gun bowlers out there you still feel like you’re so far away.”