Moises Henriques aims to use his one-day international squad recall as a springboard into the vacant allrounder spot in the Australian Test team.
Henriques ended a three-year exile from the international arena on Monday when he was called up to the 12-man squad for the next two ODIs against Sri Lanka.
While no certainty to play at either the Gabba on Friday, or SCG on Sunday, Henriques’ recall is an indication his fine domestic form has not gone unnoticed.
The 25-year-old, who has played two ODIs – against India in 2009 – is now hoping he can showcase his more mature approach to the game in an attempt to force his way into the Test squad.
“I think good performances will be recognised at any level and especially when you’re playing for Australia,” Henriques said on Monday.
“To perform well here is obviously going to be a massive bonus.”
Fitness permitting, Shane Watson will likely take part in Australia four-Test tour of India in February – a tour selectors admit will be partially shaped by performances in the ODIs against Sri Lanka.
But Watson’s request to be considered as a batsman only following constant injury battles has opening an opportunity for the likes of bowling allrounders Henriques, James Hopes, Dan Christian and James Faulkner.
National chairman of selectors John Inverarity spoke to Henriques about the importance of seizing opportunities in a conversation after his selection – one Henriques nearly missed because of late payment of his mobile phone bill.
“John spoke to me this morning and the words that resonated with me were that he spoke about taking the opportunity,” Henriques said.
“And it was up to me to take the opportunity. Which is spot on.
“I’ve got an opportunity now on Friday if I am in the XI to go out there and represent Australia and hopefully do well.
“… I think with every game and every time you walk onto a cricket field it’s an opportunity.
“To get this is fantastic and all I can do is control what I do come Friday.”
Henriques hasn’t represented Australia since he played his second ODI in November 2009, but he said he’s a more mature player now.
“Back then I was very young. I don’t think I was really looking any further than tomorrow I guess,” he said.
“I wasn’t sure how long it was going to be or what was going to happen.
“I think at the start of this year I wasn’t in a rush at all to get anywhere except to make sure all I did was get the best out of myself.”
And the numbers back him up – across the first half of the Sheffield Shield season, Henriques has averaged 78.5 with the bat and 17.69 with the ball.
HOW AUSTRALIA’S RANKS OF ODI PLAYERS ARE GROWING THIS SUMMER:
* Players used in the first two ODIs v Sri Lanka: Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, George Bailey, David Hussey, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, Ben Cutting, Kane Richardson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc.
* Australia’s squad for the third and fourth ODIs v Sri Lanka: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Xavier Doherty, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner
* If recalled allrounder Henriques plays alongside the rested Clarke, Warner and Wade in game 3 at the Gabba on Friday it will lift the tally of players used to 18 in the first three matches.
(Note: Finch, Hughes, Cutting, Richardson and Khawaja all made their ODI debuts in the first two matches of the series)
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