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Nathan Hauritz was attempting to celebrate an Australian Test-match victory but spent most of the night fending off taunts from teammates over his courage. Even so, it was still the highlight of his cricketing life.
Hauritz went into the three-Test series against Pakistan yet to prove his ability to hold down the frontline slow bowler’s role.
But after five-wicket hauls in the first and second Tests, the Queensland-born NSW spinner is growing in confidence.
Fans, the media and anyone else with an opinion on the Australian cricket team may still hold some doubts over Hauritz’s long-term ability to fill the shoes of those who have held the role before him, such as former world record-holder Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill.
Hauritz meanwhile will continue to go along at his own pace, taking care of business. He knows when the chips are down, he’ll have the support of his Test captain Ricky Ponting.
Even if the skipper was gently mocking his bowler for collapsing to the turf in agony after losing a thumb-nail taking a return catch to dismiss Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf.
Pakistan were chasing 176 to win on Wednesday on day four of the second Test at the SCG and Hauritz, in his second over of the day, conceded three boundaries just before tea.
It was a nervous start. Was he really the man who could bowl Australia to victory?
“I was hoping (to get more overs after tea). Whether Punter (Ponting) wanted to or not was up to him,” Hauritz said.
“I went to the changerooms at tea and had a long hard think.
“Pup (vice-captain Michael Clarke) walked with me as we were walking out.
“He said `don’t worry about the runs, if you bowl well you’ll get them out’.
“That reassured me a little bit. I had a little bit of luck but it was good in the end.
“It has been fantastic to take those wickets but it’s also been good to be part of a winning culture.
“The boys have been playing really well as a group, all of us had that self-belief to win that game. But on a personal note it has been good to take those wickets in the last innings.
“That’s probably one of the best games I’ve played in all my life.
“You definitely savour it.
“It was just a great feeling in that middle. Everyone had a lot of self-belief and I guess it showed in the end.
“It was just a different feeling between the two sides.”
Controversially overlooked on a spin-friendly pitch at The Oval for the fifth Ashes Test of 2009, Hauritz’s position in the side is becoming stronger.
But he admits that respect is a little harder to earn from opposing batsmen.
“Every time I come on to bowl they just absolutely take me everywhere,” he said.
“It’s definitely a big challenge. A lot of credit has to go to Ricky Ponting for keeping me on and working with me with my fields.
“But no I don’t expect any different down in Hobart (for the third Test on January 14).
“Hobart’s probably one of the hardest wickets to bowl spin on in Australia.
“It’s going to be a pretty big challenge down there but I am looking forward to it and I reckon they would be looking forward to it as well.”
Hauritz struggled to calm his nerves on Wednesday before settling into a rhythm and taking five wickets. But he says getting nervous is a good thing.
“I don’t think it’s about doubting yourself. You realise the game’s up for grabs,” he said.
“That’s probably the most nerve-wracking thing. It’s just a matter of trying to control those nerves each time you come on to bowl.
“Early on it was a different type of nerves but I think they are always going to be there. That’s good for cricket.
“If you don’t get nervous it’s time to give the game away.”
His thumb covered in blood, Hauritz was in agony after taking his match-turning catch.
“I was pretty soft I guess in the end but it was just one of those things that happened, spur of the moment,” Hauritz said.
“The agony went pretty quickly. Punter (Ponting) was taking the mickey for a couple of seconds as well.
“It (the catch) is something that will stick with me for a long time. To be part of it was great.
“It was only a bit of a nail off the finger, but definitely on the cricket field that was the worst pain ever.”
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