Paris primed for Warriors' campaign

After an injury scare six weeks ago threatened to derail Joel Paris’s preseason, the promising young Western Australian quick says he is feeling strong and confident ahead of the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

The 22-year-old left-armer announced himself on the domestic stage during last year’s tournament, taking 14 wickets at an average of 12.92 and impressing with his pace, bounce and late swing.

He set the tone for the Alcohol. Think Again Western Warriors’ pace attack with 3-34, 4-13 and 3-50 in his first three matches, but his dream start to the summer turned into a nightmare when a series of injuries cut his season short.

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The last time Paris took the field was during the Warriors’ triumphant Matador Cup final against New South Wales.

“It was the quad in my right leg, the tendon just kept tearing,” Paris told cricket.com.au of his injury woes last summer.

“As it worked out, it would have been better for it to fully tear, then it would have been over and done with. You can actually keep playing with a full rupture, but I kept having little tears over and over again which was the frustrating bit.

“I couldn’t get back to the point of playing and obviously after having a really good start last season, and not playing again, it was frustrating.”

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After rehabilitation and a gruelling pre-season under coach Justin Langer, Paris had another scare six weeks ago, but confirmed he was back on track for the Warriors’ first Matador Cup match on Monday.

”I had a little bit of a setback (with my quad) probably about six weeks ago,” he said.

“The last thing I wanted to do was miss anymore cricket. We had a chat to all the medicos and got all the best information we could and we decided to keep going.

“I’ve been bowling flat out now for a month-and-a-half now and its feeling really good.

“I’m really confident with my body and really excited to get out there.”

Paris’s frustrating run of injuries would be enough to have any bowler tearing their hair out, but he was upbeat when discussing his hopes for the upcoming summer.

While he hopes to play as much cricket as possible for the Warriors and the Perth Scorchers in the KFC Big Bash League, Paris is also realistic about the need to manage his young body.

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“From a bowling point of view I’m still really young. You’re going to have times during the season where you are must miss a little bit of cricket and spend a bit of time out,” he said.

“I haven’t played first-class (cricket) yet. Injuries have been in the way of that.

“The plan this year so far is that we’re not looking too far ahead. If I get through the one-day stuff, we’ll reassess from there. I would love to play Big Bash as well.

“It’s not so much about limiting my bowling, just managing it. There’s so much cricket in the summer. If you’re feeling really good, keep going and keep playing as much as you can.

“But if you get a little bit sore, you might have to miss a game or back off a little bit.”

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Paris in action during the 2014-15 Matador Cup // Getty Images

Like any young paceman in Australian domestic cricket, Paris has his sights set on one day earning a coveted Baggy Green.

So far, his time in the domestic set-up and Australia’s Under-19s squad has given him the opportunity to work with coaches including former Test players Glenn McGrath and Craig McDermott, while Paris said he was also enjoying the tutelage of Warriors’ bowling coach and former Tasmania quick Adam Griffith.

“When I was growing up Glenn McGrath was the bowler I watched quite a lot and I have been fortunate enough to work really closely with him at a bowling academy in India,” he said.

“I’ve had some fantastic coaches in my short carer so far.

“Adam Griffith has done such a good job. We’ve been able to bowl sides out and defend low totals as well, so from a bowling point of view Western Australia is going well.”

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When he isn’t training or playing, Paris turns his attention to Murdoch University, where he is studying exercise physiology.

And while it’s hard to find a silver lining to any injury, Paris’s time with the WACA’s physios has at least helped his studies.

“I think it’s really important off field to keep my mind ticking over and take my mind off cricket. It helps me relax,” he said.

“Being in sporting environment with the physios has been really beneficial for me, too.

“It’s a similar degree to physiotherapy and it’s made it easier going into university to get a head start of other students.”