Nathan Coulter-Nile Wins Battle Against Fitness Issues To Re-gain His Place In The National Team
Sep 19, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Nathan Coulter-Nile, the right arm fast bowler, has admitted that he desperately wants to maintain his place in the national team. The 29-year-old fast bowler has been one of the unlucky fast bowlers who had to make way for the fitter and quick compatriots in the national team.
He also revealed that in over the past 12 months the constant struggle of maintaining the competitive edge made him think that his career as an international cricketer was over.
“I was always confident I could play for WA and get through a domestic season. That’s a lot easier than the rigors and travel of playing for Australia. But it’s yet to be seen if I can get through an Aussie tour yet.”
Coulter-Nile was out of action for the entire last Australian summer due to a severe back problem. His issue crept up after already suffering from injuries to both hamstrings and both shoulders in the previous two years. Together, these fitness issues have kept him out of the contention in the national team.
“There were definitely periods where I wondered if I was ever going to play for Australia again,” Coulter-Nile said after taking 3-44 in Australia’s 26-run loss to India in Chennai on Sunday.
“I thought long and hard about (giving up first-class cricket) and I ended up trying to give it another crack. After talking to ‘JL’ (state coach Justin Langer) and a few blokes, I think it’d just be mad to give up the dream at 29.”
Coulter – Nile, who is considered as a limited overs specialist, also reiterated his ultimate dream to win the Test cap.
“I still think I’ve got a lot of cricket left in me so hopefully I can still get there. Absolutely, Test cricket is still the dream. I think it’s the dream of every kid playing in Australia. It’s not about earning money in the IPL, it’s about playing Test cricket and representing your country on the big stage.”
He also spoke about the role of his family in his struggle as a cricketer.
“I don’t know how she does it but she just makes me feel like everything is going to be OK,” Coulter-Nile said of Shani. And as well as my daughter, she loves me no matter what happens. I could not have a (fit) shoulder and she’d still give me a hug. A family is what really brings me back to wanting to get out there and do it again,” the Western Australian told Glenn Maxwell in a cricket.com.au video blog.