Billy Stanlake is hopeful of making a return to first-class cricket this summer but the towering paceman admits he’s unsure when he’ll next send down a red ball in a top-flight match.
Stanlake announced himself on the international stage with a lively spell of 3-15 against New Zealand in a T20 international on Saturday night, but hasn’t played Sheffield Shield cricket since December 2015.
The 23-year-old has battled back, feet and pelvis stress fractures throughout his career, before a toe infection ruled him out of the start of this summer with Queensland.
But with a solid BBL campaign under his belt for new champions Adelaide, Stanlake is hopeful of returning to first-class cricket over the next two months.
“I think that’s something we will assess,” Stanlake said.
“I’m sure the medicos and docs are looking closely at that. We’ll see how we go with this series and then if that arises I will be very happy to.
“If that opportunity arises I would love to but if not I’m prepared for that as well.
“The body is in really good nick. I put a lot of hard work in over so I feel really good at the moment.”
Stanlake made his Shield debut for Queensland in October 2015, but has managed just two first-class and six 50-over domestic and international matches since.
Cricket Australia have taken a patient approach after he was the only Strikers or Hobart player not released back to Sunday’s BBL final from the nation’s T20 squad, in line with their management of fast bowlers.
“I knew that was coming for a while now. Obviously I would love to play and it’s a bit of a shame,” Stanlake said.
“I played (Saturday) night and would have had to travel (Sunday) morning, it’s just the nature of being a bowler.
“Physically I feel fine, but I can probably understand the logic behind it. Playing for Australia is the priority.”
JohnB
Guest
"Exceeded expectations" then ;)
Rellum
Roar Guru
I don't think you can over perform. I think WA and SA have under performed and QLD and Tassie are playing close to their best. =
JohnB
Guest
They've over-performed this year in my view - you could make a case that they're the 5th or 6th best pace bowling line-up. To me, they blokes who have been playing are all decent 3rd or 4th seamers but they lack and badly need someone like Stanlake to add some edge.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Personally I would be picking Wildermuth (all-rounder) Neser Doggertt Swepson Stanlake But I don't share your opinion of the standard of our attack. If that line up did play then we might have a good attack For me Stanlake and Nesser are the only real FC standard fast bowlers we have. Doggertt is young and talented so I would pick him as the others offer little in terms of strike power. Feldman can go alright on his day but there is not behind those four really. Just to point out the reality of what a QLD attack actually looks like, here is the bowlers from the last game Steketee Gannon Rimmington Wildermuth Swepson Labuschagne was far more threatening than the fast bowlers. Stanlake won't play this season, but hopefully Nesser and Doggertt suit up 5 times. That will give us a bowling line up like this Wildermuth (all-rounder) Neser Doggertt Swepson Feldman
Brissie Boy
Guest
Would love to see Stanlake back in Queensland colours at some point towards the back end of the Shield season. We already have a great depth of fast bowling talent, probably only behind NSW and WA, with the likes of Neser, George, Feldman Steketee, Gannon, Cutting and now Doggett all proven performers at Shield level (although Cutting's bowling has regressed a fair bit over the last few years) but Big Billy's 150k thunderbolts would add an extra dimension to that attack. I'm not sure and I don't think Seccombe is either what our first choice fast bowling attack is at the moment, but pending Stanlake's fitness I'd have 7-11 as follows: Wildermuth (all-rounder) Neser Feldman Swepson Stanlake
Linphoma
Guest
What does Billy Stanlake really think? I mean, about playing red ball cricket? We've heard what physios and medicos have to say, but what does the big fella feel he's up to? Two first class matches since 2015? That's no sample size. If he feels he can give it a rip over 4 days then give him a go. Unless he has no intention of hitching himself to the CA bandwagon...He might have some astute management.
jameswm
Guest
He was pretty impressive. 150km outswingers delivered from that height. I thought reading he headline he'd just broken down, so that's a relief.