Joe Mennie pleased with surprise inclusion for South Africa series

Not many reckoned Joe Mennie to be a part of the Australian plans until the squad was announced by Rod Marsh. The 12-mmember squad for the first Test at Adelaide includes Mennie who may very well make his debut in the match, something that much more does not expect. The first encounter between Australia and South Africa will be somewhat of a historic occasion for the Proteas as the match will be played with the pink ball and under lights.

Mennie had made his ODI debut last month when he was joined by David Worrall whilst making his debut where he was smashed all over the park on ODI debut. However, he impressed in the following match at Cape Town with figures of 3/49. This did not help the Aussies one bit as they were thrashed out of sight and whitewashed 5-0 in the ODI series.

Speaking about his selection, Mennie stated that he has had some good fortune along the way apart from adding that bowling in the right areas was a very important aspect of the game. The 27-year-old was the leading wicket-taker in last year’s Sheffield Shield competition capturing 51 wickets in 11 matches for the tournament runners-up.

“I’ve had some good fortune over here in Perth,” he said. “The games I’ve played over here, I’ve taken a few wickets. (It) can be a great place for bowlers, but it can also be a horrible place. It’s a quick outfield and the ball comes onto the bat really well.

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“(But) if you get it in the right areas, it’s a great place to bowl,” he added.

“If there’s ever going to be a time, it’d be now,” he said. “I’m in some good form, I know my game and I know what works for me. I feel I’m ready, I’ve got a good knowledge of my game.

“I’ve played against some of them there (in South Africa) and I’ve got some wickets, so it gives me a bit of a confidence boost if I do get the opportunity,” he said.

“He’s a very good length bowler, Joe,” he said. “That’s something that in Test cricket is of paramount importance. He bowls well everywhere because he bowls a length. He is a real dead-set professional length bowler. That’s what I love about him.

“I just get back to that word ‘length’,” he added. “No one likes bowlers who bowl a good length.”

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