James Franklin
The BLACKCAPS all rounder talks about his solid domestic form, being a genuine all rounder and swing bowling.
On his current form…
“The last game was my first four day game in pretty much six months since I have been playing county cricket in England so its nice to have a long hit out. I had a good bowl and got 40 overs under my belt and had a decent knock in the middle there so its nice to be up here in some sort of form.”
On playing Australia…
“Ever since a kid growing up watching cricket, the trans-Tasman rivalry and all that sort of jargon. The biggest Test in cricket for a New Zealand cricketer at the moment I guess is playing Australia.”
On his role as a batsman and a bowler…
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“I class myself as a genuine all-rounder. In the last 12-18 months my batting has obviously been pretty prevalent in domestic cricket. My bowling has been a little bit lacking for great statistics of late compared to maybe five or six years ago but I still feel when I’m bowling I’m a bowler, I feel as though I can do the job as either, more an all-rounder.”
“You always go out to every game wanting to do the best you can and some days it just doesn’t happen that way and some days you’re outstanding. I like to think I can do a job, its up to whether the selectors want to pick me in this team, or not.”
“I want to, as much as anyone, go out there and do a great job for New Zealand if I ever get the chance. I was frustrated during the One-Day Series, I got given a great opportunity to bat at five and I didn’t make the most of it. If I do get another crack I want to make sure that I can contribute well to a good New Zealand performance.
On previous Test matches against Australia…
“The last time they were here I got a few wickets and did ok. They are a tough team to play and they are always asking questions of you to be at your best and that is what you want to be, you want to be tested as a cricketer.”
“I am a left arm bowler, on a good day I can swing the ball nicely so its just a variation that I think I can bring to a team.”
On swing of the ball…
“Talking around last year, the ball didn’t seem to swing as much last domestic season but this last game in Rangiora there was definitely a bit of swing around. If there is swing I like to try and take full use of it and hopefully get some wickets using it.”
“It’s a combination of ball, atmosphere and the action. Basin Reserve generally, if it’s a beautiful day it actually swings more there than on a windy overcast day and people generally say that on overcast days it should swing more. I think a lot has got to do with the atmosphere, the humidity, pitch conditions and finding out whether
