Liam Plunkett surprised to get a call but remains hopeful to play for England
Liam Plunkett, England’s fast-bowler, remained hopeful that he will be playing for England after flying out from the Caribbean island to travel two-thirds of the way across the globe to Australia, on Sunday.
“I was surprised (to be recalled). But I’ve got the call up, I’m here and hopefully I will play,” Plunkett stated on Thursday.
However, he added he is aware that he features in the pecking order in the squad for the final One Day International (ODI) against Australia, on Sunday.
“I might be the 12th man yet, but hopefully I’ll play, I’ve got fresh legs,” he said before adding that he feels confident about his bowling at the moment.
Plunkett arrived in Perth on Wednesday to practice with the team for the last ODI of the seven-match series, which England are trailing 5-1. He got an emergency call-up when England was struck by yet another injury to deplete their bowling stocks as Ajmal
Shahzad and Chris Tremlett awaited further injury bulletins.
Shahzad and Tremlett are suffering from hamstring and side strains respectively, with Shahzad’s injury posing to be more serious ahead of the World Cup. He was not able to bowl his last two overs in Sunday’s defeat in Brisbane, whereas Tremlett’s absence
hurt England’s chances to at least win the sixth ODI at Sydney.
The pace duo added to team director, Andy Flower’s woes almost two weeks before the World Cup goes underway in the Subcontinent.
Tim Bresnan is nursing a calf injury, whereas Graeme Swann flew back home to recover from back and knee problems. Stuart Broad also joins the list as he was ruled out of the Ashes series from December 2010, due to an abdominal strain. Broad, who last played
in the Adelaide Ashes Test, took only two wickets and his return to the team is still debatable.
With all the agonies, skipper Andrew Strauss has only three fit seamers at his disposal. Steve Finn, who took three wickets in the series, made his ODI debut along with Chris Woakes in this series. The right-armed medium-fast bowler James Anderson is the
last choice for England. Plunkett will be challenging the trio for a place on a fast-paced wicket of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Western-Australia-c865 Association Ground (WACA) at Perth.
Plunkett, who featured in 28 One-Day fixtures for England, stated that despite embarking on a 40-hour journey, he is ready to play.
“...I’ve been here two nights now. I’ve had plenty of time to rest...I feel strong,” he added.
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