Allrounder Dan Christian has been waiting weeks to take the ball for Hobart Hurricanes and after a sensational 5-14 his services will likely be called on again.
The right-armer on Monday helped decimate Adelaide Strikers' batting line-up at Bellerive Oval, delivering the hosts an eight-wicket Big Bash League win.
"I feel like the ball has been coming out pretty well this year in Shield cricket so to get a bowl was nice," Christian said of his first stint bowling in BBL06.
The figures are his best in the Twenty20 format and the second best in the history of the BBL.
Scalps included Adelaide captain Brad Hodge (55) and tail-enders Ben Laughlin (0) and Liam O'Connor (0) in a single over.
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"I've warmed up every game and marked my run-up but it's just the way the game's panned out that I haven't had a bowl," Christian said.
With gun paceman Shaun Tait unfit due to an elbow injury, the door opened for Christian, but he's not confident of becoming a regular feature of the Hurricanes' bowling attack.
"I've done a lot of death bowling in the past and it hasn't gone that well for me so it's swings and roundabouts and nice to get a few wickets and hopefully that can continue."
Set 144 for victory, Hobart chased down the target with 14 balls to remaining, thanks mostly to a 105-run opening partnership by Tim Paine (41) and D'Arcy Short (60).
Hurricanes travel to Adelaide for a rematch with the Strikers on their home turf on Friday and Tait's fitness is not guaranteed.
"Hopefully he's alright, he's a huge weapon for us," Christian said of his teammate, hopeful of the chance to bowl alongside Tait.
"It takes the pressure off everybody if I'm doing a little bit of bowling, it certainly makes it easier for Shaun."
