Faulkner eager to capitalise on recall

Australia allrounder James Faulkner hopes his experience playing at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena and for county team Lancashire could put him in line for his second Test appearance in Bangladesh.

Faulkner was called into Australia’s Test squad for the Qantas Tour of Bangladesh on Thursday after young quick Patrick Cummins was ruled out with stress fractures in his back.

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The 25-year-old found out he would be travelling to the subcontinent while playing a practice match for Tasmania.

“I'm close with Pat and have spent a lot of time with him, I'm shattered for him but it is nice to get the phone call," Faulkner said at the Cricket Tasmania season launch this morning.

"A little while ago I got told that I was on standby, so I knew that I was there or thereabouts if someone went down with injury.

"I was just about to start a practice game for Tasmania and I literally picked up my phone as Rod (Marsh) was calling me so it was a nice phone call to get before I walked on to the ground for a little hit-out.”

While he will face stiff competition for a spot in the playing XI from fellow allrounders Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, Faulkner said he felt the conditions in Bangladesh could accommodate two, or even three of Australia’s all-round options.

"I think so, I think most teams around the world now are playing two or three allrounders so there's no reason why we can't all play together especially in those conditions as well," he said.

"I'd like to think that playing at Bellerive when it's been quite dry the last 12 or 18 months and then spending time in Manchester where the wickets were dry as well and reverse swing came in and spin, I'd like to think I'm a fair chance of playing but we'll see what the selectors come up with.”

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Faulkner is presented with his Baggy Green at The Oval in 2013 // Getty Images

National selector Rod Marsh also believes Faulkner’s bowling may suit the conditions in Bangladesh.

"James comes back into the Australia Test side having only played the one Test, but he is an exciting young bowler who could be very handy in the conditions we are likely to see in Bangladesh," Marsh said on Thursday.

One factor in Faulkner’s favour is he is one of only five members of the 15-man Test squad to have played in Bangladesh before – taking the field for one match during last year’s World T20.

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Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc also have four T20 caps apiece in Bangladesh, skipper Steve Smith has played three one-day internationals in the country, and Stephen O’Keefe played in an under-19 tournament there in 2004.

Faulkner’s first and only Test appearance came against England at The Oval in 2013, and while his career has blossomed in the shorter formats, he wants to follow suit in the five-day game.

"I get (my Baggy Green) out every now and again and have a look at it but there might be a little bit of dust on it because it's been a good couple of years," he said.

"It's a different feeling and I've only got the taste once, but it was enough to keep driving me to get back into the squad and hopefully I can get an opportunity again and do well."

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Faulkner celebrates with Doug Bollinger during the World T20 in Bangladesh // Getty Images

Faulkner had spoken of his desire to return to the Test team upon his return from his stint with county team Lancashire earlier this month.

“That was one of the reasons I was over in England playing county cricket, was to play some red-ball cricket – I didn’t get the opportunity to play in the last couple of seasons,” he said.

“I got to play some back-to-back games in different conditions, which was foreign to myself, especially with the red ball. 

“It was a good opportunity and I know Cricket Australia wanted me to do that, and it was something I wanted to do as well.

“I definitely learnt a lot, about the conditions over there but about my own game as well.”

Faulkner’s county season included taking a red-ball hat-trick against Leicestershire in June and a century against Surrey.

Cummins’ injury could also open the door for Faulkner's Tasmania teammate Andrew Fekete to make his Test debut at age 30.

"I think it will open the door a little bit for him, but we'll just have to wait and see what 11 they want to go with,” Faulkner said.

"I saw him bowl again today and he had some really good rhythm, so he's in good form and hopefully he gets the nod and makes his Test debut for Australia."