Despite turning in the best batting performance of his ODI career against West Indies, Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile isn’t so sure about his place in the side when Australia play next, against India, at The Oval on Sunday, June 9.
Coulter-Nile smashed 92 off just 60 balls – his career-best score by a distance – and came within three runs of equalling Chris Woakes’ world record of the highest score by a No. 8 batsman in one-day internationals.
His efforts rescued an Australian innings that was at one point sinking at 38-4, and gave them 288 to defend, which they successfully did, by 15 runs.
Fabulous innings from NCN, who left #trentbridge to a standing ovation after scoring 92 in 60 balls with 8×4 and 4×6. Previous highest score in ODIs 34 and First Class cricket 64. Helped @CricketAus to a competitive 288 #CWC19Nottingham #CWC19 https://t.co/g6s5sOa5NB
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) June 6, 2019
However, Coulter-Nile’s outing with the ball wasn’t as memorable, as he gave away 70 runs in 10 overs against West Indies. He was also hit for ten fours – the most by any bowler from either side – and went wicket-less. His returns in Australia’s first game, against Afghanistan, where his eight overs cost 36 runs, also contained no wickets.
“No,” he said when asked if he felt his spot was secure. “I took none for 70.
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“We’ve got two world-class [fast] bowlers [on the sidelines]. I’m not in the team to make runs. Hopefully, the top order does that. So I wouldn’t be surprised if I got dropped for the next game. I’m in the team to take wickets and I’ve had two wicketless games, so we’ll see how we go.”
With Coulter-Nile supporting the two frontline pacemen, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, both Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson haven’t had a game so far. Also waiting on the bench is off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has been edged out by leggie Adam Zampa as Australia’s main spinner, although it is unlikely that Australia would go in with two spinners.
Even so, Australia have one of the most potent fast-bowling attacks in the competition, but Coulter-Nile insisted that the competition doesn’t faze him.
“I actually like it,” he said. “I think it’s good to have competition and it wouldn’t be good if we had no one pushing you trying to get better, so I love it.”
