My cricket skills can be useful in all three formats claims Swepson
Australian leg-spinner Mitch Swepson the 28-year-old cricket star who has 10 wickets in his first four Tests is confident that his cricket skills can be useful in all three formats, as the Queenslander braces for what could be a T20-heavy preparation before a next Test appearance.
Swepson has played Australia’s last four Tests in Pakistan and Sri Lanka since making his long-awaited debut in March this year, but is realistic about his chances of making the XI when the home Test summer kicks off against the West Indies in Perth on November 30.
Barring injury to Nathan Lyon, Swepson’s next international cap appears most likely to be against India next February when Australia embarks on a much-anticipated four-Test tour.
At a BBL|12 Draft launch event on Monday Swepson told cricket.com.au.
“The last couple of years I’ve been starved of game time, particularly with the boys at Brisbane,”
“The priority for me is obviously trying to crack into that Test team but if it doesn’t happen, which is probably most likely the case over the summer, it means I’ll be fronting up for Brisbane for pretty much every game.
“I can’t wait – it’s been a long couple of years without playing for the guys so I’m so keen to get out there and play in teal again.”
While 14 games of T20 cricket might not be ideal preparation for an important Test tour, Swepson said that challenge is all part of being a modern-day cricketer.
“You have to be ready to do that, to be able to adapt,” he said.
“You see guys floating down the white ball path and then others floating down the red ball path but I think leg-spin can be really effective in all formats of the game.
“For me, I think my skill set can be useful in the three formats and it’s just about developing how I use them in any scenario.
“Fourteen games of white ball cricket might not be the best prep for a Test match, but it’s still 14 times four overs out in the middle in a high-pressure situation against quality opposition – it’s still great preparation for something like an India Test tour.
“A good leg-break is still good in a Big Bash game and still good in a Test match.
“As long as my stock ball is coming out really nicely, I think my variations will come around with it if I need to use them in a white-ball game, and that’s basically what I’ve been basing my preparation around.”
“So I’m really just building towards that and looking to try and take as many wickets as I can.”
“They’re massive hitters of the ball so any of those guys would be a great pick up for us,” Swepson said.
And while he is holding out hope of being part of Australia’s T20 World Cup title defence on home soil having been a member of the 15-player squad during the nation’s maiden triumph in the UAE last year, Swepson’s focus right now is starting the domestic season well for Queensland.
Swepson clarified that he was yet to speak with selectors around whether he might play a role in the Test side this summer given Australia’s hectic ODI and T20 schedule prior to the first Test against the West Indies.