Nick Winter’s mission to continue bumper English form as Redbacks seek redemption
Nick Winter is out to extend his Dukes ball form in England as South Australia bunkers down for its one-day Cup opener against Queensland.
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Nick Winter is set on replicating a bountiful English summer as South Australia targets redemption in its one-day season opener this month.
Winter took 59 league wickets at 7 and 77 across all competitions for English side Brentwood to reinforce a prowess that includes 48 first-class wickets at 22 with the Dukes ball for the Redbacks.
Left-armer Winter replaced Australian leg-spinner and Redbacks teammate Adam Zampa at Brentwood, becoming a firm favourite at the Essex club this northern summer.
“Zamps sent me a message before my first game saying ‘mate I took six wickets on debut so don’t disappoint them’. I happened to get seven so I sent a message back to him,” said Winter with a chuckle.
“It was good to assert myself as the overseas player and do well for the team.”
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Winter wants to be at the coalface as SA atones for fourth and last placings in the one-day and Sheffield Shield respectively last season.
“I know speaking to the boys there is a big emphasis on being relaxed and backing our abilities,” said Winter, who has figured in 14 of SA’s past 15 Sheffield Shield games taking 59 wickets at 26.
“Collectively we had a pretty poor year. We can only get better. It was only a few years ago we played in back-to-back finals so we know we are a good team.
“It is just about building on where I have been.”
Australian duo Alex Carey and Travis Head could front for SA’s Marsh Cup opener at Allan Border Field.
“Most of the boys are ready to go. We should have Kez and Heady available for that first game so we will be pretty much full strength,” said Winter with swingman Daniel Worrall the only Redback sidelined by a back injury.
Cricket Australia has belatedly allocated the Redbacks home fixtures after six seasons of a carnival format where games were played predominantly in Sydney and Brisbane.
“I have been in the system for six years and never had the squad play a one-day game in South Australia. CA has listened which is good and hopefully we can perform for the SA fans,” said Winter with SA hosting Tasmania on September 29 and October 1 at Karen Rolton Oval. It opens the season against Queensland on September 24.
Winter, 26, was in June seconded by Australian coach Justin Langer to help prepare Australia for its World Cup confrontation with New Zealand left-armer Trent Boult. It was proof of Winter’s evolution since taking 34 wickets in five matches during his debut 2017-18 season.
“It was great to actually go out on to the ground and see the slope at Lord’s and train with all the guys like Steve Smith and David Warner. We had a really good contingent of South Australian boys with Zamps, Alex Carey and Kane Richardson,” recalled Winter.
Carey was man of the match against the Black Caps with an undefeated 71 in a performance that underscored his World Cup team of the tournament selection.
“Kez had a really good tournament and you could tell he was really relaxed in his own abilities,” said Winter of keeper-batsman Carey.
“He is a very hard worker so it is great to see those guys get rewarded.”