He’s the man with the Midas touch when it comes to short-form cricket, and James Faulkner will still have a major say in the Twenty20 World Cup despite missing Australia’s opening match with Pakistan, according to skipper George Bailey.
A knee injury sustained in the summer one-day series against England will force the 23-year-old out of Sunday’s clash in Dhaka, but Bailey says he’ll be back in time for Australia’s next game against West Indies on Friday.
From there, Bailey says he’ll be central to Australia’s efforts in capturing the last remaining piece of international silverware which has eluded them.
In his brief international career Faulkner has already built an impressive CV of match-winning knocks.
The fast-bowling allrounder appeals to selectors primarily due to his versatility, death bowling and ruthless competitive nature.
But more recently he’s popped up in opposition team talks because of his devastating, match-winning lower-order hitting.
Faulkner launched himself into the spotlight in last year’s one-day series in India, where he smashed 64 off 29 to carry them home in Mohali, and backed it up by scoring a 57-ball century – the fastest by an Australian, bettering Matthew Hayden’s 66-ball ton – in a losing effort in the series-deciding seventh game in Bangalore.
To prove that was no fluke he matched those efforts with a staggering one-wicket win over England at the Gabba in January – smashing an unbeaten 69 off 47 balls.
“We’re hoping he can have a big impact, I think his record in T20 is pretty handy,” Bailey explained.
“He’s certainly played a huge role for this Australian side in the T20 and one-day teams since his debut which doesn’t seem all that long ago.
“He’s a really important player for us. He’s really versatile.
“He adds another dimension to our team.”
At a pinch Faulkner, who has been batting and bowling in training, could’ve faced Pakistan – but his value over the length of the tournament ensured he wouldn’t be risked.
“We are making the call that we are going to need him at the back end – that’s where we think he will add most value to us,” Bailey said.
“I think the way he plays he’ll become more and more important to us as the tournament progresses and the wickets start to slow up.”