Hat-trick hero Ben Hilfenhaus has reminded selectors he remains ready for Australian duty if a vacancy for a paceman comes up.
Hilfenhaus produced the first hat-trick of his career against Queensland at Bellerive to help Tasmania grab the upper hand in their Sheffield Shield clash.
The manner of the 30-year-old’s feat was just as impressive – he trapped Bulls skipper James Hopes (12) lbw before clean bowling Ben Cutting (0) and Cameron Boyce (0).
“There was a little bit of reverse swing there so I was hopeful I could sneak one through,” Hilfenhaus said.
“That’s my first ever so it’s quite pleasing to finally get one.”
The veteran, who played 27 Tests, finished with 4-49 to go with the 6-82 he produced against Western Australia last week.
Hilfenhaus played his last Test in December 2012, also in Hobart, and has needed to manage a rib injury since.
His thoughts have not been on a return to international cricket but he does believe he could handle one.
“If there was a call-up, I’d be ready,” he said.
“It would be very hard for anyone to break into that set-up at the moment.”
Hopes said he’d feared the burly Tasmanian could get on a roll when he became hat-trick victim No.1.
“The late dipping yorker, it was good,” Hopes said.
“He can sniff his moment pretty well.”
Hilfenhaus ensured a Queensland first-innings collapse on the morning of day three, the Bulls losing 7-47 to be bowled out for 183 in reply to Tasmania’s 350.
Hopes then gave his side a sniff, reducing the Tigers to 6-60 in their second dig on his way to 5-59.
But with Bulls paceman Cutting (hamstring) unable to bowl, the home side’s tail wagged again and they declared at 9-165.
Chasing 333 to win on a slow pitch, the Bulls were 1-11 at stumps, having lost Joe Burns who top-scored with an unbeaten 91 in the first innings.
Hopes said their chase would need to be better than the 5-471 they made last game to beat South Australia.
“It’s gettable but we’re going to have to bat out of our skin,” he said.
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