The Perth Scorchers look set to unleash Nathan Coulter-Nile on the Melbourne Stars in Sunday's Big Bash League semi-final at the WACA Ground, and the competition's top run scorer feels it could be a match-winning move.
Michael Klinger is leading the BBL with 288 runs at an average of 41 and strike rate of 138 in his first season with the Scorchers after coming across from the Adelaide Strikers, but even he is glad that he only has to face Coulter-Nile in the nets.
The 27-year-old paceman injured a hamstring in Australia's one-day international win over South Africa at the MCG on November 21 when he was pushing for a spot in the Test team and in the plans for the World Cup.
He hasn't played in the two months since, but Klinger has had to cop the brunt of his recovery in the nets and has no doubt that the pace and bounce that he could bowl with on Sunday at the WACA could be a match-winning move for the Scorchers.
Spinning all-rounder Ashton Agar does appear the man likely to make room for Coulter-Nile in the final XI, particularly after he struggled in Wednesday's loss to the Stars at the MCG thanks to a remarkable century from Peter Handscomb.
Klinger is just glad that the Scorchers have the option of unleashing a weapon like Coulter-Nile on the Stars, with a spot in Wednesday's final in Canberra at stake.
"With a player of that quality, if he's fit I'm sure the selectors will look to get him in," Klinger said.
"I don't think it's a risk at all. I've been facing him in the nets for the last two or three weeks and he's bowling pretty quick."
The Stars have been the great teasers of the first three seasons of the BBL, looking so good during the season, but coming up short at the pointy end.
However, this time around it has gone the opposite way as they hit back after losing their first three games to win their last five and finish third to qualify for the finals.
Now they need one more strong performance on Sunday at the WACA.
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