Former Australian star remains pivotal part of Tasmania’s 50-over plans despite losing state contract

The loss of his Tigers contract will not stop James Faulkner from continuing to train with the squad as he remains an integral part of the white ball set up.

James Faulkner bowls during the Big Bash League match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Hobart Hurricanes at the Adelaide Oval on January 26, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/Getty Images)

STAR all-rounder James Faulkner remains firmly in the state’s one day cup calculations despite missing out on a Cricket Tasmania contract for next season.

Faulkner’s omission from the Tigers contract list — the first time since he was rookied in 2007 he has not held a CT or Cricket Australia deal — was met by surprise in some circles across the country.

However the former Australian ODI regular and 2015 World Cup final man of the match recipient will still train with his Tigers teammates during the pre-season.

Degenerative knee problems have limited Faulkner to just one Sheffield Shield appearance in the past three seasons, while he missed a large chunk of last year’s BBL campaign after suffering a calf strain.

James Faulkner celebrates taking the wicket of Marcus Harris of Victoria at WACA on September 23, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/Getty Images)

Tigers coach Adam Griffith said while Faulkner is unlikely to play another red ball match for his state, he is still considered an important piece in both the 50 and 20-over formats.

“He is a really important player for us in the Hurricanes space, he hasn’t played red ball cricket for quite a while now,” Griffith said.

“To have him on contract and have the pressure of him committing to the Tigers program for 12 months of the year, when potentially he might play a few one day games, is quite a big ask for him.

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“We have had a lot of conversations around that and mutually we came to the conclusion we wouldn’t contract him in the Tigers space but knowing he will train with us.

“Our 100 per cent goal is to have him ready for the Big Bash and he will train in the Tigers program, but it just eases the pressure on him to be able to pursue his business interests and the other things he wants to do.”

Travel restrictions left Faulkner unable to return for a fourth season to English county side Lancashire this winter, with Griffith confident the time spent at home will only further enhance the 30-year-old’s quest to be firing on all cylinders come the start of the 2020-21 summer.

“We have a really, really strong program around him and are confident we can have him ready to go at the start of the season,” Griffith said.

“He is not going to England now with the shift in travel restrictions so it is probably like a few years ago when he had a good pre-season and he was flying at the start of the year, hopefully we can get back to that.”