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.”
Happy Hooker
Guest
C'mon even Xavier is better thatn Bryce McGain
James
Guest
Average of 33 and an economy rate of 4.67 isn't that bad. He is a solid 1-day player at national level and very good at state level. First class - he is lucky to be in the Tassie team. The selectors (and the fans) need to stop confusing performance in one form of the game for success in others.
Gordon smith
Guest
I think it is time that players stopped barracking for other players. We have seen senior players suggesting who should (therefore who should not) be in the side. Can't be good for team cohesion and could lead to distrust and perceptions of favoritism by captains etc. Leave selection to selectors and us mug punters to debate.
Seano
Guest
Hey genuine tail ender is he worse than Bryce mcgain? Or Phil Emery? No but he is bad! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Xavier Doherty is the worst cricketer to have worn the baggy green in my life-time.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
No, he sucks. His first-class record resembles that of a wicket-keeper who bowled a few overs five or six years ago when the opposition was 0-400 and the captain was getting desperate for wickets. How he ever wore the baggy green is beyond me. H bowls straight break darts that my mother could skip down the pitch and slash through the covers in a test.
jamesb
Guest
Mr X first class figures 119 wickets at 44.78 in 51 matches. So he is averaging less than 50, so yeah.......pick him. Indian batsmen will be shaking with fear. Meanwhile Steve O'Keefe in his 27th match, 74 wickets at 28.17 So yeah.....selectors should pick Mr X!
Calf Jocks
Roar Rookie
No Drupe is right, he really does suck, averages 33.63 in ODI's & 44.78 in first class games, he sucks big time
Varun
Guest
I think selectors will watch the nsw shield game and if either okeefe or smith do well with the bowl they will pick them as backup all rounder with khawaja as replacement for mike hussey, but Doherty did look good the other night so it's a tough one
Lukeling
Guest
So many unsuitable names being thrown around at the moment for the Australian test team. Doherty, Maxwell, Smith, Hodge, D Hussey ....Watson ; )
Pudd
Guest
Dear god no! Enough with this fascination of average one-day/ 20-20 finger spinners! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Red Kev
Guest
Bailey thinks every Tasmanian should be in tests. Doolan, Paine, Doherty, himself. Not good enough.
James
Guest
Doherty doesn't suck. He is a very successful bowler through his career in limited over matches. Unfortunately being good at one type of cricket doesn't necessarily mean that you are good at another type. Wish the selectors could work that one out.
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
NO,NO,NO,NO,NO. Doherty cannot play tests he sucks.