Ashes the aim as overseas import Worrall keeps up good early form
GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S overseas player Daniel Worrall has maintained his superb early-season form for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield as he aims to try to break into Australia’s Ashes squad.
After his career-best 7-64 helped him to a 10-wicket match haul against Western Australia in Adelaide, Worrall took 4-42 on Hobart as Tasmania were bowled out fot 185 on the opening day on Tuesday.
Then, after SA were all out for 136, Worrall took all three wickets as Tasmania closed day two on 120-3.
The performances have come after five months sidelined by injuries which the 27-year-old paceman feared were career-ending.
“It was a big moment in my career. It was a cool moment obviously but I was just happy to be playing cricket again, you can’t do much sitting on the sideline,” said Worrall.
Signed by Gloucestershire for the 2019 season due to his mastery of the Dukes ball, Worrall’s career best showcased the 140km/h swing that looms as Australia’s Ashes wildcard in England.
“I feel like this is a career defining 18 months so I made a deal with myself to be the best version I could of me,” Worrall told The Advertiser newspaper.
“It is something I have my eyes on and I want to make sure I am in peak condition going in to the Ashes next year.
“You are always trying to find a niche where you can have the most impact and that is trying to bowl as fast as I can without compromising moving the ball around.”
Worrall is respected as South Australia’s, muscle bound “Frank the tank” with 162 first-class wickets at 27 but has undergone a physical and mental makeover since signing with the Redbacks in 2012 when stuck behind James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, John Hastings and Scott Boland in Victoria’s pace queue.
In 2015-16 he took 44 wickets at 26.1, doubling the 25 he toiled for at 38.9 in his initial three first-class seasons.
Worrall has 114 Sheffield Shield wickets at 26.2 since his breakthrough 2015-16 campaign.
“I have settled down. We were watching videos of our first season and it looked ridiculous, a 30 metre run up and it is 15 now,” said Worrall. “There is no reason to be running in 30 metres.”
A foot stress fracture cut short Worrall’s inaugural stint in Bristol after 16 wickets in four games during May but Gloucestershire coach Richard Dawson was already sold on a return.
“It is a great place to bowl and coming in with a fresh perspective, learning new tricks, contributing they were happy to have me back and I can’t wait to get over and do it again,” said Worrall.
He bounced back from foot surgery but was immobilised by a back injury at the start of the JLT one-day Cup in September.
“You are thinking you might not come back the same type of bowler. It is just so fun playing cricket as a job,” said Worrall.
“Having the injury lay-offs has given me the new perspective to appreciate where you are in the moment. In the past I have looked too far ahead.”