2013 in review: New kids on the block

3. James Faulkner

James Faulkner

Tests – 1, Runs – 45, Batting average – 22.50, Wickets – 6, Bowling average – 16.33ODIs – 19, Runs – 408, Batting average – 45.33, High score – 116, Wickets – 25, Bowling average – 32.04

Every team needs someone to rely on – someone who can produce something out of nothing; someone who the skipper can turn to when nothing seems to be going right. Over the last year, James Faulkner has been that someone for the Australian ODI side. John Inverarity described Faulkner as the sort of player who “can get things done”.

A highly talented bowling all-rounder, Faulkner strolled into the Aussie ODI squad after winning his third consecutive Ricky Ponting medal for being Tasmania’s best player. His capacity of absorbing pressure was on evident at Bangalore, when he scored his maiden century. He stood tall amidst the ruins of his team mates while chasing an improbable 384. Sometimes, his bowling tends to lack consistency. But his knack of producing the odd unplayable delivery makes him the go-to man when the side needs a miracle.

Over the last couple of years, Australia has miraculously managed to produce a multitude of effective pacemen. However, James Faulkner may turn out to be more than just another effective paceman, he may be the magic tonic Australia’s been hunting for – the X-Factor.