Ben’s in running for shot at Tests
Innisfail batsman displays tons of tigerish determination
A DISAPPOINTING Matador Cup campaign for Tasmania has Innisfail’s Ben Dunk fired up to tear the Sheffield Shield apart once again, starting with the star-studded Victorian line-up next week.
The 29-year-old had made his name as a limited overs dasher, rising to Australian honours in T20 and smashing a record 229 not out in a domestic one-dayer, before answering his long-form critics with a breakout 2015-16.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Dunk has worked even harder this off-season to steel his defence in a bid to pile on more runs than the 837 at an average of 46.5 that put him at the top of the charts last season.
“I just took the time to refine my game and become better at the things I’m good at and just decrease the ways bowlers can try to get me out,” he said.
“Most of the wickets around the country we all know have a bit of grass on them and teams usually start with seam bowling so my main goal is to keep them out in the first session and I know the wicket will flatten out later in the day and I know there will be some runs to be had.”
Dunk has high hopes another season netting four centuries could put his name in the ring for a Test position at the top of the order and despite pushing 30 he has every right considering Adam Voges is still in glittering form and an easy selection at 37.
“It was huge to be the top runscorer last Shield season, I had a really good year and I’m still only 29, so if I string a few good years together, you never know what can happen, but at the moment I’m focused on doing what I can for Tasmania and help get them back up the ladder,” he said.
Two more Queenslanders picked up Tigers contracts for this season and Dunk hoped the change of scenery that worked so well for him would pay off for new teammates Cameron Boyce and Simon Milenko.
The Sheffield Shield season starts next Tuesday, with Tasmania up against Victoria, Western Australia taking on South Australia and Queensland hosting NSW, all with the pink-ball.