Doolan’s just happy backing Tassie
HELPING Tasmania win more silverware is the driving ambition for veteran opener Alex Doolan, who has all but dismissed the suggestion of reviving his international career.
A day after becoming just the seventh batsman for the state to score a century in each innings of a Sheffield Shield match, Doolan said he believes the “door is shut” on adding to his four Test appearances from 2014.
Instead his sole focus is featuring in victories for the Tigers — which in turn will lead to more chance to win titles. His unbeaten 170 and 116 was not quite enough to drag the side across the line against SA, the teams settling for a draw on a fluctuating final day in Adelaide.
“I probably do feel like the door is shut a little bit, not in a negative way, I just feel like they are looking at maybe three or four other batsmen around the country who are doing well also,” Doolan said about his Australian prospects. “For me, my ambition is purely just to win games of cricket for Tasmania and hopefully get some silverware at the end of the year.
“The older I get the less opportunity I am going to get to win silverware for Tassie and at the end of my career I really want to be one of those players who gets known as someone who was in a successful team.
“Test and higher honours tend to take care of themselves when you are playing well, but if I took my focus away from Tassie, I think it would be to my detriment.”
Doolan, 34 in two weeks, joins Tasmanian royalty in Ricky Ponting (four times) Jamie Cox (three), David Boon and Dene Hills in scoring a pair of centuries in a single match, with NSW recruits Michael Bevan (twice) and Ed Cowan also achieving the feat.
While the Tigers were unable to overhaul their 337-run target — having been well placed at 3-240 at one point — Doolan said the performance bodes well for the remainder of the season.
“I am reasonably proud of what I have achieved, it was a great week for me individually but as a team we are a little bit disappointed we couldn’t get that win.
“Having said that, I think we showed some good signs we have what it takes to be one of the top teams.
“To push so hard for the win the entire day and then when the whips are cracking to be able to shut down and deny them the victory was really rewarding.”
The Tigers return home for a month-long block leading into the Big Bash, with one-day games next week against Queensland and NSW followed by two shield games at Blundstone Arena.