FESTIVAL OF 7S HISTORY TAKES PLACE GLOVES UP
Running of the Bull: Peirson’s sights on baggy green
QUEENSLAND gloveman Jimmy Peirson has powered up the ranks to be one of the frontrunners to take over from Tim Paine when the Aussie skipper hangs up the baggy green. The 29-year-old Peirson, who admitted he had thought “a few times” about taking over the international duties, was adamant he could not let his focus dwell too long on the role or it might just slip through his fingers. The Bulls leader believed it would be consistency and runs at Sheffield Shield level that would be key to realising his dream, and that means getting down to business in North
Queensland this week. Ironically, the last time Peirson walked out to bat at Riverway Stadium he was wearing the green and gold of Australia in an under-19 international series against England in 2011.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has started the season with two centuries in two games for the Bulls, both of which the Queenslanders drew in South Australia.
The nine-year Shield veteran said he felt he was in careerbest form and it had come from learning the ins and outs of his own game.
“I am feeling fantastic, I think over the last couple of years I have really understood my game,” he said.
“I have worked out how I like to score my runs and I have a formula I work towards each time I am at the crease.
“I have worked out my preparation and I have become specific and pointed with what
I do. I stay in the game a bit more. I look at the game a different way.
“I have a clear plan walking into a game and how I take on each bowler that I come up against. I think it’s come with experience. The penny didn’t drop until I was a bit older.
“I would have liked it a few years ago but you have to have those scars and setbacks to learn from them.”
It is the new-found tactical approach that he has taken to the game over the past two seasons that Peirson believed had him ready for a crack at taking over the gloves for his country.
“I would be lying to say I haven’t thought about it,” he said. “It wasn’t until the last couple of seasons that I thought I could do it. I am growing more confident in what I can do and I am getting close.
“There will be an opportunity sometime soon but I need to bide my time and churn out good performances for Queensland. I think you can fall into the trap with thinking about it too much. My main priority is winning games and performing for my state.”
The Bulls will face off against Tasmania in Townsville this week after the two sides played out a draw at Karen Rolton Oval in the opening round of the season this month.
While he has not played for the state side at Riverway Stadium before, Peirson was adamant there were enough dyedin-the-wool supporters in the region to get behind the home side.
The wicketkeeper also believed it was the start of a long association between the region and top-level cricket.
“In Queensland we have a close-knit group and we always like getting back to rural areas and seeing our supporters in the furthest corners of the state,” Peirson said. “They follow the Bulls religiously in the regions. I would like to think we could get a big crowd, but being a Shield game, it is a funny one.
“We know in the country areas they are traditionalists of the game and having a red-ball fixture should drive the excitement in Townsville.”
The Sheffield Shield clash will be free for spectators and will run from October 27-30, while the two sides will also play in a One Day Cup clash on Monday, November 1 in Townsville.