Ashes bolter Xavier Doherty rates himself a much better spinner than his first-class average suggests and has vowed to make an immediate impact at the Gabba next week.
Doherty was “over the moon” on Saturday after being included in Australia’s 13-man squad ahead of incumbent tweaker Nathan Hauritz, the Tasmanian given strong indication he would make his Test debut on Thursday.
The Tasmanian left-arm spinner, who turns 28 on Monday, averages a modest 48 at first-class level and only last season won his place back in the Tigers Sheffield Shield outfit following a three-year stint as a specialist white-ball bowler.
His ascension to the Test team comes on the back of a brilliant four-wicket one day international debut in Melbourne three weeks ago and some fine Shield form this season (11 wickets at 27.45).
An overnight sensation 10 years in the making, Doherty said he had matured through his “love-hate relationship with Shield cricket”, claiming his record was an unfair reflection of his ability.
“I average 48, which isn’t pretty, but that 48 is over 35 games and my first 25 games I averaged 60 or something like that,” he said.
“In the last 10 I average something like 30 and that’s the form I’ve been picked on.
“I’ve got the chance to make an impact and I feel I’m in pretty good form and can do that, but the ball is in my court to have some sort impact and stamp my authority on the spinner’s spot.”
In fact, Doherty has taken 23 wickets at 26 in the six Shield matches he’s played since returning to the Tigers attack last season.
On the outer for three years when former Test off-spinner Jason Krejza moved south from NSW in 2006, the left-armer pinpointed his subsequent axing as his turning point.
“It was a real kick up the bum for me, I went from playing all forms of the game to only playing 10 games a year in one-day cricket, but that burning desire to get back into the four-day team for Tassie is what really spurred me on,” Doherty said.
A fast bowler as a teenager, when he was coached by Test fast bowling mentor Troy Cooley, Doherty said the time out helped him learn how to best play his role as both a containing and attacking spinner.
“There will be times where I have to hold up that one end and let the quicks go from the other and there will be times where I need to attack and take the wickets that are needed,” he said
“Even in the last two weeks for Tassie I’ve played both those roles so I think I can fit into whatever is asked of me.”
He follows Stuart MacGill, Brad Hogg, Krejza, Beau Casson, Cameron White, Bryce McGain, squad member Steve Smith and Hauritz as Australia’s Test spinners since Shane Warne retired.
The 13-man squad will gather in Brisbane on Sunday evening.
Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vc), Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger.
Brett McKay
Guest
James, Peter Nevill will be the 'keeper, he's gone past Daniel Smith now. And I think you'e right, they'll play Mattinson instead of Rohrer, or maybe even Henriques..
jameswm
Guest
I agree - I don't see how you can have Smith, Hauritz and SOK in the one team. If Smith is picked for his batting, that leaves Hauritz and SOK fighting for one spot. Do you really think the NSW selectors will have the guts to send Hauritz to grade cricket? SOK deserves to stay in the team, but I'm not sure they have the guts. If Clarke is injured, I hope they put Khawaja or Ferguson in the test team, not Smith. Hussey 4, North 5, Smith 6 and Haddin 7 does NOT inspire me with confidence. With Smith presumably 13th man and Bolly, Haddin, Clarke, Katich and Watto in the test team, I guess NSW's team for its next Shield game shapes as: Hughes Jaques Khawaja Rohrer? Smith Henriques Keeper - forgotten his name O'Keefe Cameron Copeland Heazlewood (Starc injured) Hauritz out 4 quicks, 2 spinners. A bit light on batting with Smith at 5 but depth with SOK at 8. I think I've forgotten a batsman - maybe for example they will open with Mattinson and move Jaques down a spot, and omit Rohrer.
Bayman
Guest
jameswm, I suspect the problem of playing Shield cricket may now be an issue for Hauritz, not O'Keefe. O'Keefe is clearly seen as a potential player in the future of Australian cricket and with Smith around, as you point out, it may be Nathan who suffers. Hauritz may well be the next Beau Cassin, destined to disappear off the radar. In any case, his Test career is over in my opinion. I just don't see how it will be possible for him to do well enough for NSW to earn a recall to the Test team. It will be even harder if NSW don't pick him - dare I say, impossible!
jameswm
Guest
I think that O'Keefe has the right all-round package and is the best long-term prospect we have. I think we've missed a chance to bring him in now, because mediocrity from X might be enough to keep him there - it worked for Hauritz. We shoulda brought him in now and backed him. He just oozes runs and wickets. Problem is - how will he play Shield cricket now with Hauritz and Smith also there?
andy g
Guest
people can criticise his inclusion and his stats, but he's 100% right. stats mean nothing for spinners because we're so desperate for them that they get picked early and belted around. i dont know if he'll play with north providing handy off spin, but i think he can add a bit if he does. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Bob
Guest
Will he play in Brisbane? If its a fast bouncy pitch they must be tempted to play 4 quicks and use Clarke and North.