James Franklin wants to play all three formats – Cricket News Update
New Zealand’s all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JEC-Franklin-c1684, is keen to cement his place in all three formats of international cricket and does not want to be labeled as a T20 specialist.
The 31-year-old cricketer was recalled to the Test team after almost 18 months during the recently concluded Test series in India, where the visitors were whitewashed (2-0). The all-rounder however, has been a permanent member of
the Kiwis’ limited-over setup.
The cricketer from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864, having performed well in domestic cricket, made his way to the international level in 2001, primarily as a left-arm swing bowler. However, Franklin developed his batting skills with the passage of time
and now he is regarded as a genuine batsman, who can also bowl.
After the Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in January 2011, the left-hander was ousted from the Test team but Franklin is happy to have returned to the fold and now he wants the selectors to show faith in his skills.
"I've been lucky to have the opportunity in the last two Test matches, here in India, to have a crack at the longer form for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 again and hopefully that will continue in the future. Hopefully the selectors back me as well,"
said Franklin.
So far, Franklin has six international fifties and a Test hundred under his belt. The middle-order batsman scored 97 runs in the two Tests against India on his comeback, with a highest of 43 not out. However, the all-rounder failed to impress with the ball.
The hard-hitting left-hander is expected to play a huge role for the Kiwis in the World T20, with his ability of hitting huge sixes. The first match of the on-going two-match T20 series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at Visakhapatnam was washed out due to rain, which is
a massive disappointment for Franklin, who believes that match practice is crucial going into such an important event.
"Main thing is getting some playing time before the World Cup starts. You can achieve all the strategy and tactical stuff as a team, go to the gym and get some physical work done [during the rains]," he added. "We can do everything that we can except play
the game."
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