Nathan Coulter-Nile looking to prove decision makers wrong: The Australia pacer has expressed disappointment at losing out on a state contract.
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After failing to earn a contract at Western Australia, Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile has cleared his intention of switching states for the upcoming domestic season.
Coulter-Nile, who picked 17 wickets in seven matches at an average of 18.94 and a strike rate of 21.3 to finish as the highest wicket-taker in last year’s Marsh Cup, was left without a contract by Western Australia in the wake of winning their maiden Sheffield Shield trophy in 21 years.
“I want to play. I was the leading wicket-taker last year, I feel like I’m bowling alright. I feel like I’ve still got plenty to offer. But there’s still so much time before the Marsh Cup begins, we’ll just wait and see what happens. But I’m definitely throwing my name out there,” Coulter-Nile was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Having last played a first-class match in 2017, Coulter-Nile faced the consequence of getting injured frequently especially during the Sheffield Shield. Been representing the state for more than a decade, Coulter-Nile expressed disappointment at not getting a “minimum contract”.
“I understand where they’re coming from; they want to win a Shield title and that’s the way they thought they needed to go do it. I wasn’t too shocked. I’d been given word they were going to reward the blokes bowling the most overs, which is fair enough.
“But to not even get a minimum contract, say ‘come down, help out the young kids’ … I’ve been involved for 15 years so I feel like I know a bit about the game. To say I was not required at all, I was a bit disappointed, but that’s the way it goes,” Coulter-Nile said.
Nathan Coulter-Nile looking to prove decision makers wrong
Coulter-Nile, 32, has dismissed 124 batsmen in 37 first-class matches for Western Australia. The right-arm bowler sounded eager to play against his native state and prove “decision makers wrong” in the forthcoming season.
“I’d love to face WA, I’d definitely be fired up for it. I know the boys had nothing to do with the decision and a few of them openly said they were disappointed with it, but any chance I get to prove the decision-makers wrong, I’d definitely take that opportunity,” Coulter-Nile added.
In 12 matches for Melbourne Stars in the last season of Big Bash League, Coulter-Nile picked 10 wickets at an average of 28.60, an economy rate of 7.52 and a strike rate of 22.8. Having scored 69 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 150, Coulter-Nile also hoped to improve on the batting front for his BBL franchise.
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“I didn’t have a great Big Bash last summer, but I’ve got a fair bit of time on my hands now to get fit and strong leading up into the season. One of the things I was so disappointed about, I just didn’t perform as well as I could have with the bat.
“I can’t say it will be a bigger focus because I have a pretty big focus on it already, but hopefully it will click for me this year,” Coulter-Nile concluded.
