It’s been several months since paceman Ashley Noffke signed on to play with the Western Warriors for the 2009-10 season, but the role the former-Queenslander will play amongst a younger WA line-up is still not entirely known.
The 32-year-old returns home next week after a brief stint in England, taking 10 wickets with a best of 4-92 for county side Worcestershire, and as the Warriors squad resume training over the coming weeks, it’s clear what effect a player like Noffke can have on young Warriors teammates, such as burgeoning all-rounders Trent Kelly and Drew Porter.
While the impact of experienced quicks Brett Dorey, Steve Magoffin and Ben Edmondson can’t be understated, Noffke’s continued success at domestic level over a number of years adds another exciting facet to the Warriors list, but further encourages speculation that spots amongst quicks will be contested fiercely.
While he plays primarily as a bowler generating good pace and bounce in extended spells, his performances with the bat can’t go unmentioned, having compiled 2 first-class centuries from over 2,000 runs.
Handed his first Cricket Australia contract before the 2001 Ashes series, Noffke didn’t debut in the International arena until 2007-08, earning ODI and Twenty20 caps against India and New Zealand respectively.
In that same 2007-08 summer, he became just the third person in the history of the Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup competition to capture 50 wickets and 500 runs in a season, being named State Cricketer of the Year in 2008.
With the Cricket Australia fixtures released last week, Noffke is expected to make his debut in the black-and-gold against his former state Queensland in the season-opening Ford Ranger Cup clash on October 11 at the WACA, followed by a Sheffield Shield fixture two days later.
It may get even better for the Warriors; with the fixtures falling between the International schedule of the Champions Trophy in South Africa and Australia’s seven match ODI tour of India, WA could see a return of their international contingent – including Mitchell Johnson in his first appearance for his adopted state – and captain Marcus North.
The other highlight of the summer sure to please WACA officials and fans includes three home Twenty20 Big Bash games, set to feature West Indian captain Chris Gayle in WA colours.
Whiteline
Guest
Dave makes a good point about the taller players going to football. Another issue in WA is the culture within the current group is questionable and has been for a while. The issue with Pomersbach last week highlights a few things which most of the public are oblivious too. He and a few others have been in strife a few times and the work ethic doesn't seem to be ideal - that's the general feeling among the cricket community. WA haven't had much success for a decade so a few questions are being asked across the board in WA cricket.
Dave
Guest
Fast bowlere being taller athletes are more likely to be taken by AFL in Western Australia
Hammer
Guest
Think you'll find Noffke wasn't to happy with Queensland he was only offered a 1 year deal and told he wouldn't be considered for 20/20 selection or guaranteed an ODI spot
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
Thanks for bringing Noffke's move to my attention. It seems to me that player movements are becoming more common in Australian domestic cricket, although they are still not nearly at the level of a genuinely professional sport. It would be interesting to know why Noffke is leaving Qld. They are not exactly overflowing with fast bowlers, so I would have thought they would be desperate to retain him. WA has done well out of Qld when it comes to fast bowlers, e.g. Noffke, Johnson (who admittedly moved for personal reasons, with his girlfriend living in Perth), Steve Magoffin, Ben Edmondson. Can any West Australians tell me why the state produces lots of batsmen (Langer, Martyn, M Hussey, North, S Marsh, Pomersbach, Voges, D Hussey, Katich, etc.) but struggles to produce bowlers?