Western Australia’s rookie paceman Simon Mackin hasn’t played a single first-class game but already he has a couple of Test scalps.
A late call-up for Queensland quick Alister McDermott gave the 21-year-old Mackin a chance to play for the Chairman’s XI against England in Alice Springs.
The home side includes up-and-comers like himself and a bunch of fringe Shield players, none currently first-choice players for their states.
Captained by former Test spinner Michael Beer, the Chairman’s XI sent England in to bat on Friday in their two-day game and restricted the tourists to 7-212 declared. The home side reached 0-16 at stumps.
Mackin (2-32) picked up the key wickets of Test pair Matt Prior (19) and Ian Bell (13), both caught behind by 16-year-old NSW Second XI representative Jake Doran.
“I was a late inclusion for Alister McDermott so Monday night I got the phone call to come and play,” Mackin said.
Mackin said the underdog tag motivated them all.
“Yeah 100 per cent. A lot of the blokes are pushing to get back in their Shield side and there’s no better way to do it than taking wickets or making runs against England,” the former sushi delivery man said.
Mackin said even though Test hopefuls Gary Ballance (55) and Jonny Bairstow (31 not out) were the only two England batsmen to reach 30, the tourists shouldn’t be too embarrassed about not being able to dominate a team lacking any Test experience, apart from Beer.
The pitch was doing a bit early and the outfield’s lush.
Prior in particular, with a score of 19 after making 0 and four in last week’s Brisbane Test, would have been disappointed with his performance.
But Mackin says he’s not sensing the tourists have dropped their bundle ahead of Thursday’s second Test in Adelaide.
“Matt Prior came out and looked really confident and he’s been in a bit of poor form,” Mackin said.
“Out there they’ve got a bit of an aura about them. I didn’t really notice too much of a lack of confidence.”
Mackin and his teammates have no aura at all.
“It’s more about a personal opportunity to get out there and show what you’ve got. I’d say 90 to 100 per cent of people don’t really know most of our team’s players,” Mackin said.