He’s likely among the first players picked in the Australian one-day side but Clint McKay doesn’t want to be a one-Test wonder.
The fast bowler has cemented himself in the national ODI side with his consistent performances and he’s ranked seventh in the world ODI bowling rankings – the only Australian in the top ten.
McKay admits his top priority is building towards the 2015 one-day World Cup but he’s revealed he still harbours ambition of a Test recall.
The 30-year-old’s sole Test appearance came when he was a late call-up against the West Indies in Perth in 2009 but he hasn’t been able to break back into the side since.
“I love playing one-day cricket for Australia and I’ll do everything I can to make sure I’m still around for the next World Cup,” McKay said.
“But I’ve played one Test and I don’t want to be left as a one-Test wonder.
“I’d love to play one more and I’m doing everything I can to make sure that happens by ticking all the boxes and just doing everything I can.
“At the end of the day if I don’t make it, well at least I know I gave it the best shot.”
In a sign of his ambition, McKay spent the two months between Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign and the one-day series in England embarking on a personal pre-season training program.
He knows it would be a huge challenge to break into a Test squad given the depth in Australia’s bowling stocks.
And while he admits pace is not his strength, McKay believes his consistency and accuracy could be an asset.
The Victorian averages 22.02 in 46 ODI appearances, ranking him inside the top 20 on the all-time international list.
“I obviously don’t have the pace of some of the other kids coming through do like (James) Pattinson, (Mitchell) Starc, (Pat) Cummins or (Josh) Hazlewood,” McKay said.
“But my sort of strength is consistency and making sure I’m keeping things tight.
“I think in the right conditions I’ve got something to offer in Test cricket and I’m doing everyone to one day get that second Test match.”
McKay is likely to lead the pace attack alongside Mitchell Johnson when the five-match one-day series against England begins belatedly in Manchester on Sunday.
The first match in Leeds was washed out.
