Nathan Coulter-Nile fears he could face the axe from the Australian team despite saving the day with the bat against the West Indies.
Coulter-Nile top-scored for Australia with 92 in the 15-run win as he, Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (45) combined to help Australia recover from 4-38.
But the West Australian is more concerned by his failure to take a wicket in this year’s tournament as he fights to retain his position as third quick.
“No (I don’t feel secure), I took 0-70,” Coulter-Nile said.
“We’ve got two world-class bowlers (in Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendorff, waiting to play).
“I’m not in the team to make runs, hopefully the top order does that so I wouldn’t be surprised if I got dropped for the next game.
“I’m in the team to take wickets and I’ve had two wicketless games so we’ll see how we go.”
It had been thought pre-tournament that Coulter-Nile’s ability with the bat could help him across the line ahead of both Behrendorff and Richardson.
He would be the most likely option to go if Australia wanted to pick two spinners against India on Sunday, given Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are locks.
The 31-year-old has used his stints out of the game with back injuries to focus on his batting, which was crucial at Trent Bridge.
His knock came off just 60 balls and included four sixes, making it the highest score from anyone batting at No.8 or lower in World Cup history.
“Last two years with stress fractures it’s all I could really do, bat,” Coulter-Nile, who has worked closely with West Australian opener Liam Davis, said.
“I was trying to play red-ball cricket but once I switched to white-ball cricket that’s all I really worked on.
“(Davis) just said ‘scrap that, we’re not playing red-ball cricket anymore and we just hit balls’, I just tried to hit balls for six.
“That’s all I’ve been doing for last year.”
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It was a poor shot based on when it happened and the type of shot it was. He is an experienced player and as you pointed out his form has been good but then ruins it like he did. Though I do agree there is more likelihood of Stoinis going than Maxwell.
Dan In Devon
Guest
Given Maxwell’s form over the past year, I find it ludicrous that people respond to a single failure by wanting him dropped. He is the most complete one day cricketer in the team. Stoinis should be the one looking over his shoulder. The revelation of NCN has provided Australia with another lynchpin option. His stroke play was sound and fluent suggesting there are more runs to come from him.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
On last nights performance, more chance of Stoinis and Maxwell going especially after that horrendous shot Maxwell played to get out.
Neel
Roar Guru
Oh definitely Paul. A bloke and I were discussing it at the Tavern last night. If he finds a bit of form with the ball then he could be a player in the mould of what James Faulkner was before Faulkner lost his form. Also, he can bowl express pace when he is on song, so yeah, if he can find form with the ball, then he could play a major role in the Aussie team for the rest of this World Cup.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Neel, do you think NCN might play a Chris Woakes or Tom Curran type role for Australia? Woakes is not the best bowler in the England lineup but can be counted on the get the odd wicket and really makes their batting tail a whole lot stronger. If NCN was chipping in with the odd wicket, or keeping it to less than 6 an over, as well as hitting some handy runs, I can see a place for him in the side, given the other 4 guys we have to choose from aren't world beaters with the ball.
Neel
Roar Guru
Hopefully he can fire with the ball. If that happens then he will become a huge asset for the team.
Paul
Roar Guru
Great to see NCN being honest with himself. It would obviously be hard to take if he was dropped but as he said, two wicketless games including a none for 70,doesn't guarantee a spot in the team.