Big Billy again hits selectors' radars

He's provided the sizzle to the KFC Big Bash League's best-performed bowling attack but towering paceman Billy Stanlake's focus hasn't drifted to a potential recall to Australia's limited-overs sides this summer.

Ladder-leaders Adelaide Strikers continued their hot start to BBL|07 on New Year's Eve in front of a raucous home crowd, blowing away the Bash Brothers and Brisbane Heat by 56 runs to continue their undefeated run courtesy of another clinical bowling effort.

Stanlake has collected four wickets at 17.75 in the Strikers' three victories and had the likes of legendary former gloveman Adam Gilchrist raving about his pace on Channel 10's broadcast after twice breaking the 150kph barrier in his opening over on Sunday evening.

The 23-year-old's speed, combined with his enormous 204cm frame has been the perfect counterpoint to Adelaide's new-look bowling line-up.

Afghan leg-spin sensation Rashid Khan has stolen the BBL's attention but crafty T20 specialist Ben Laughlin, Test quick Peter Siddle and Sunday's surprise hero Michael Neser, who snared 2-7 off two overs after bashing a match-changing 40 off 22 balls, have been equally important.

"We've all got different strengths, we all feed off each other," Stanlake told cricket.com.au. "So far it's working really well.

"That's what's great about our bowling attack.

"(Rashid) is doing a great job for us. He's pretty much getting 2-20 every game.

"There's a really good vibe around the group at the moment."

The Strikers' bowling looms as their trump card for a BBL|07 title run, but coach Jason Gillespie might need to seek a back-up for Stanlake for the tail-end of the tournament.

National selectors have made no secret of their fondness for the Queenslander. Last summer he was picked to make his one-day and T20 international debuts despite having only two first-class games to his name.

While he claimed just the one wicket in two ODIs against Pakistan and a sole T20 against Sri Lanka, Stanlake showed enough to earn a spot on Cricket Australia's contract list for 2017-18.

Among a select few around the country who can consistently top 140kph, Stanlake will be in the reckoning for the five-match Gillette ODI series against England in January and the ensuing T20 tri-series also featuring New Zealand.

Following the final Test against England next week, Magellan Ashes stars Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will likely need to be managed to ensure they're in peak shape for March's Test tour of South Africa.

Stanlake admits he'd had to blow out a few cobwebs in the early stages of the BBL having not played any competitive cricket bar a single Queensland Premier Cricket match before the T20 tournament got underway. 

"Each game I'm starting to get a bit better as I'm starting to get some games under my belt," the Gold Coast product said.

"I'm a bit rusty coming into the tournament with no match practice. I'm slowly starting to get better and starting to get back to where I was at the end of the pre-season before the toe dramas."

His use of "dramas" to describe his toe injury is no embellishment.

Stanlake was forced into surgery on the big toe of his left foot after an open wound near the nail got so infected from bowling during the pre-season, there was genuine risk of amputation had he left it a few days longer.

"It ended up being quite serious. I don't think I was that far off losing it (his toe)," he told cricket.com.au earlier this month.

"I think if it (the infection) had gotten into the bone or the tendons, I might have been in some serious trouble."

Stanlake says his toe is now 100 per cent and while he says he'd love nothing more than to don Australian colours again this summer, his focus for now is squarely on getting the Strikers some silverware.

"I'd love to get back in that set-up but … that's something that's out of my control," he said.

"I really enjoyed my time (with Australia) last year but at the moment I'm loving my time down here with Adelaide.

"We're off to a great start and hopefully we can keep building."