Offspinner aims high despite setbacks

Test goal remains for rebuilding Hauritz

Cricinfo staff

June 13, 2008

	Nathan Hauritz says his desire is still strong © Getty Images

Nathan Hauritz has not given up hope of playing for Australia and adding to the one Test cap he earned in 2004. Hauritz has moved states and remodelled his action since taking five wickets against India in Mumbai and is preparing for another season with New South Wales.

"The burn and desire is there, so strong," Hauritz told the Sydney Morning Herald. "The dream is to get back there and play for Australia again." Beau Casson, Hauritz's state team-mate, has been promoted to the Test team and if he gets more international opportunities it will open the door for Hauritz to try to impress for the Blues.

After his Test he was cut from the national team and later in the season was dropped by Queensland, which eventually led to his move south. "I went back to first-class cricket and thought: 'I'm a Test player, I should be able to get these blokes out.' My focus was all wrong.

"How quickly it was taken away from me, being part of the Test set-up, it was a massive reality check for me. Not that I took it for granted, but I was happy with my action and the way things were going."

After struggling for wickets he worked out he needed to alter his technique. "Coming to New South Wales, you get to speak to a lot of guys and it changed it for me," he said. "At Queensland it felt like I was just petering out.

"The thing I realised was that you can only control the controllable - your own form. If you are doing everything you can, then whether the selectors pick you or not is up to them, but at least you know you could not have done any more."

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