George Bailey reckons Xavier Doherty bowls best with a stiff neck. The Australian T20 skipper wouldn’t expand on why his long-time Tasmanian teammate wakes up sore so often.
But the nagging feeling might be best explained by Doherty believing he is unfulfilled at Test level.
Doherty played his only two matches against England in the 2010-11 Ashes series, and it seemed his card was marked at Test level when he was dispatched for figures of 0-158 in Adelaide.
But the 30-year-old’s three-wicket performance in the final ODI against Sri Lanka has rocketed him into contention for a surprise recall in Australia’s squad for next month’s four-Test tour of India.
Bailey believes the spinner has something to prove.
“I’ve got no doubt he would like to have another crack at Test cricket, I don’t think he was particularly happy with how he bowled in that situation (last time),” said Bailey.
“He’d love another opportunity to rectify that and probably prove a lot of people wrong. I think he’s in a really good place, I think he’s a good age for a spinner in terms of not being too flustered if things don’t go his way.
“He’s pretty confident in his own game, got a good knowledge of where he’s at and I certainly think the way he bowls would suit those (Indian) conditions.
“I think a left-arm spinner is going to be really important.”
Bailey said Doherty had a stiff neck when he starred against Sri Lanka in Hobart, and often bowls out of his skin for Tassie when he’s feeling tight.
But his re-emergence has more to do with cricket maturity than a crick in the neck.
Doherty’s first-class figures aren’t spectacular, but he’s been a steady former for Australia in ODIs and T20Is.
“What I see with him is someone who is very settled,” Bailey said.
“There’s wickets where he can be quite attacking and others where he has to be quite defensive. I feel he’s worked that into his game. He can sum that situation up pretty quickly and can adapt pretty quickly.”
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