England paceman Liam Plunkett is keen to take advantage of Steven Finn’s misfortune and make an impact at the ICC World Twenty20.
Plunkett did not feature on England’s recent tour of South Africa in any format but was a late replacement in Eoin Morgan’s 15-man World T20 squad following the injury to Finn.
And now he has got his chance in India, Yorkshire fast bowler Plunkett is ready to make the most of it.
“It’s been a frustrating time but I feel fit and strong now and bowling as fast as I have done,” the 30-year-old said.
“It’s a good thing for England cricket that we have so many good cricketers but I’m here now and if I can perform really well I can be around for a while.
“I feel like I offer something different and I’ve been bowling quick for the last year or two.
“You need to work on different skills like yorkers and slower balls, but I’m also in the squad to bowl as quick as I can.”
Plunkett proved his credentials in T20 cricket with two impressive fast-bowling performances in United Arab Emirates last year, helping England whitewash Pakistan 3-0.
He did not initially make the cut for the South Africa tour and after replacing Finn in the limited-overs squads, suffered a thigh injury on England Lions duty that ended his hopes of making a final impression on the international scene before the World T20.
But Plunkett has continued to work on his weaknesses, identified by England Head Coach Trevor Bayliss, and has been rewarded with a late call-up.
Media done before practice #WT20 pic.twitter.com/rgctUpkPAa
— Liam plunkett (@Liam628) March 9, 2016
“When you don’t get picked you’re disappointed but I’m not going to sit around and cry about it,” he said.
“I’m not a person to sulk and be upset so you just ask the question.
“The coach will say ‘this is what you need to work on’ and that’s all you want as a cricketer. You just want that clarity.
“I’ve felt in the past couple of years I’ve been good enough to make the squads and when I’ve played I’ve always taken wickets.
“If they want to pick someone else, fine, but every cricketer generally thinks they’re better than someone else in that position.”
Source: ECB