The moment that transformed Coulter-Nile

After his World Cup dreams were shattered by a hamstring injury just months out from the tournament, Nathan Coulter-Nile decided something had to change. And it started with his diet.

Coulter-Nile broke down bowling for Australia in a one-day international at the MCG against South Africa last November, sidelining him for two months and ruling him out of contention for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

"I think that was the big eye opener," Coulter-Nile said on the eve of Australia’s second ODI against England at Lord’s.

"I was probably about five kilos overweight for whatever reason. Strength was good but missing that (World Cup) was absolutely shattering, especially watching the boys go on and win it.

"I was obviously wrapped for them but not to be involved through injury was a little bit disappointing."

Watch: The injury that ended Coulter-Nile's World Cup dream

Coulter-Nile eliminated starchy carbohydrates from his diet following the setback, adopting the diet used by teammates Shane Watson, David Warner and Mitchell Johnson.

Since then he's starred with both the white and red ball, playing in the Perth Scorchers’ second KFC Big Bash League triumph and bowling his heart out in Western Australia’s valiant Sheffield Shield final draw against Victoria.

Coach Justin Langer said the "penny dropped" for his talented fast bowler in the Shield final, where he battled a groin complaint to be Western Australia’s most threatening bowler throughout the match. 

"I didn’t really realise what it took to compete at the top level and perform and consistently,” Coulter-Nile explained.

"I’d always perform and get injured or get dropped or something like that.

"When I missed the World Cup it really hurt me a lot and I thought ‘I really want to do this, this is something I really want to do,’ and from then on I was really strict with my diet, really strict with my training and I saw the rewards at the end of the season."

Watch: Coulter-Nile takes two in two against England (restrictions apply)

It’s almost two years to the day since the Perth product made his ODI debut against England in Wales.

In that time Coulter-Nile has played 12 one-dayers and taken 21 wickets in what has been a stop-start career as he gradually adapts to the unforgiving nature of the game at the highest level.

"It’s been fantastic,” Coulter-Nile said. "(I) haven’t done too much of it in a row.

"Every time you come up you don’t get a respite. In domestic cricket you get one or two players finding their feet so you come up to international cricket and they’re ready to go.

"I’ve been around a long time and know what to do. It’s a challenge but that’s what’s exciting and fun about it."

And with a surplus of fast bowlers waiting for any opportunity to feature in the green and gold, Coulter-Nile says he’s not taking his position lightly.

"(You) never feel comfortable,” he said. “I feel comfortable when I have my spot.

"There’s that many fast bowlers coming through Australia at the moment, if you get comfortable that’ll be the time when you’ll get dropped."