Australian coach Darren Lehmann has already guaranteed former Orange quick Chris Tremain will make his international debut in the impending tour of South Africa, but now it seems the Yeoval-born tearaway might just be handed the new ball as well.
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Tremain – who has barely played any domestic white-ball cricket at all in recent years – earned his place in the Australian squad courtesy of a bumper Sheffield Shield campaign and then a stunning winter series with Australia A.
He was named in the squad alongside fellow uncapped quicks Dan Worrall and Joe Mennie but thanks to his new-found strike bowler status the former Orange District Cricket Association player of the year is though to be first in line to earn a call-up.
If that happens, he’ll become the first Australian quick to make his One-Day International debut as an opening bowler on foreign soil since Mitchell Starc in 2010.
"I can’t wait, it’s going to be amazing," Tremain told cricket.com.au, in anticipation of receiving his yellow Australia ODI cap.
"I’ve grown up watching these great tussles between Australia and South Africa and it’s something that came to mind as soon as the selection phone call came through, that this is going to be a great tour.
"A really hard-fought tour and something that I’m going to remember for a long time.
"It’s a great honour to play for your country.”
Tremain said he isn’t under any illusions, he knows full well his selection came thanks to a number of players being rested.
That doesn’t take anything away from it though and he said he’s long been focused on seizing any opportunity that come his way, this one included.
"I understand that I’m here because there’s a few blokes being rested, there’s a few blokes injured and the opportunity has arisen not just for me, but for two other uncapped fast bowlers (Mennie and Worrall),” Tremain said.
"So I think we’re all in the same boat and when we do get our opportunity, we’re going to take it with both hands."
"Every discussion we (the current ODI squad) have had is ‘just keep doing what you’re doing’, and what I’ve been doing has been with the new ball lately.
"So if you get given the new ball, then go hell for leather.
"But whatever scenario you’re playing you’ve always got to want the ball in your hand.
"Whether it be new ball, old ball, middle overs or death (end of the innings), I want that ball in my hand."
Australia’s tour of South Africa kicks off this week.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
