By IANS,
Bridgetown (Barbados) : Australian spinner Beau Casson, set to make his debut in the third Test against Caribbean in Barbados next week, says he is overwhelmed by the opportunity and insists that he is ready for the hard job that lies ahead.
The 25-year old left-arm wrist spinner with a congenital heart problem has promised to “rip” the ball with his big-turning wrong ‘un and other variations.
“I was a little bit like a kid in a candy shop when I first got over. I just wanted to be liked and amongst these sort of people,” Casson was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.
“Two great leg-spinners have gone out of the game now, so you’re never going to replace them. You’re certainly going to be open for criticism, but the opportunity is hopefully there and I think I’m ready for it,” he said.
“I’m learning a hell of a lot every day. I’m trying to give the ball a rip. There might be a few bad ones, but hopefully I can minimise them as much as possible and bowl as many wicket-taking balls as possible,” Casson adds.
The world will be watching as Australia bloods its first Test spinner since Dan Cullen played a Test in Bangladesh over two years ago.
With Stuart MacGill retiring and the debate over Shane Warne’s return raging, Casson would seem to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Casson was light years behind MacGill, Cullen, Brad Hogg and Cullen Bailey in the spin bowling stakes, but he has continued to push his case.
“I would be kidding myself if I said I pictured it exactly like this,” Casson said.
“But it has always been a goal to play at the highest level and develop. I feel I’m going up the roller-coaster at the moment.”
Left-arm wrist-spin is a devilishly hard craft, but Casson – who was inspired to bowl spin after watching Warne as a youngster – says it is becoming more popular.
“It’s a tough craft, but you’ve got to make sure you keep in the game and play as long as you can, because hopefully we’re getting consistent later on in life,” he said.