'The most important thing is my back is in good nick, the body's feeling' - Billy Stanlake all set to return to action

Pacer Billy Stanlake is fit and eager to return to bowling after missing the 2022-23 season owing to a stress fracture in his back that began in May 2021. Everything was going well, when he was picked to the Hobart Hurricanes squad for the first time for their match against the Perth Scorchers in Launceston last year after playing three T20 club matches for Tasmanian Premier League's Greater Northern Raiders. But then, Stanlake strained his hamstring during a training session just a day after rejoining the team.

Notably, he was ruled out for another eight weeks, adding to the 83 weeks he had already missed since suffering a back injury while bowling for Derbyshire on his County Championship debut. However, throughout his long rehabilitation period, the pacer fought his way back before the season's finish to make his Tigers debut.

Stanlake claims that rehabilitation is easier when it lasts eight weeks rather than ten months. He also stated that his back is in good shape, his body is in excellent shape, and he got through the last couple of games last season. He added that with the lack of cricket, he has played, it was important to try to get back for those last couple of games.

"It was very strange, the first soft tissue injury I've ever had. (The rehab) is a bit easier when it's only eight weeks rather than 10 months. The most important thing is my back is in good nick, the body's feeling good and I got through those last couple of games at the end of last season. I thought it was important to try and get back for those last couple of games with the lack of cricket that I've played," the 28-year-old told cricket.com.au.

It's a really good way to set myself up to hit the ground running: Stanlake 

Stanlake went on to say that he didn't want to train for six months again, so he thought it was a nice opportunity to go up and play some cricket without putting too much pressure on himself. He also stated that it is important for the body to simply get back to playing. The 28-year-old further said that one must get the body moving again, regain match fitness, and become accustomed to playing at high intensity. 

"I didn't really want to be here training for six months again, that's pretty much all I've done for the last two years. So I just thought it was good opportunity to go up and play a little bit of cricket without going too crazy on the workloads, (which) is going to be really beneficial. It's important for the body just to get back to playing as well. I think the longer you're not doing it, is sometimes worse for your body.

"You need to get the body going again, get that match fitness, and get used to playing at (high) intensity again. It's a really good way to set myself up to hit the ground running and have a really good season with Tasmania," the pacer further added.