Anytime you miss cricket, it definitely hurts: James Faulkner

James Faulkner, who has spoken on the behalf of the Australian side ahead of the do or die match against West Indies in the Tri-Series, has suggested that the team is pretty clear about their current situation in the series.

The Aussies have a must-win game tonight against West Indies in order to reach the final of the Tri-Nation series. They were left to face a tricky situation after their previous group match against the Proteas was abandoned due to rain. Their final group fixture against West Indies is also clouded by uncertain weather conditions.

According to cricket.com.au, Faulkner added, “It’s been a pretty stagnated series so far. We haven’t played as well as we would have liked and the weather has played a role as well. If we don’t win tomorrow we obviously don’t deserve to be in the final. That’s the way I look at it and I’m sure most of the boys look at it the same way.”

The Australian all-rounder has played only 9 ODIs after his match of the match performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final against New Zealand that helped his side clinch the coveted trophy. Australia has played 19 ODIs since then. He had to spend time away from the game due to a variety of reasons.

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The drink-driving misdemeanour in England last year, injury issues and then selectors ignoring him kept him in the sidelines.  He was left out of the first two matches of this tri-series in the Caribbean as Australia suitably opted for a spin-heavy attack at Guyana’s Providence Stadium.

But he returned to the side in St Kitts last week was one of Australia’s most economical bowlers at the small Warner Park. He will be hoping to resume a more permanent place in the XI.

“Anytime you miss cricket, it definitely hurts. I’d be lying if I said (it didn’t). I want to play in all conditions and do whatever I can to play as many games for my country as I can. I obviously had a conversation with the selector. I just want to play in every single condition. I think I do well on slow wickets and I think I do well on fast wickets,” Faulkner said.

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“A lot of it depends on the dynamic of the team and the make-up of the team. I can control what I can control. When I get a bowl, do as well as I can for the group (and) when I get a bat, do as well as I can. It’s pretty simple. People can write and say whatever they want, but your career stats are your career stats and your performances right now count for everything,” the Australian all-rounder added.