Test greats praise young Canes quick

Riley Meredith entered this KFC BBL season wondering whether he would even get a game for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Four matches in, and he’s already the go-to fast bowling option captain Matthew Wade can turn to and expect big wickets and speeds upwards of 150km/h.

By the end Sunday’s clash with the Perth Scorchers in Launceston, the 22-year-old had figures of 3-15 and praise from two of the best pace bowlers Australian cricket has seen in recent years.

“I’ve been really impressed by the pace of Riley Meredith,” tweeted Brett Lee, while Mitchell Johnson added “Meredith (is) looking very good. Great pace and carry.”

These accolades were justified by the names of his victims alone. The right-arm quick rattled the stumps of Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner, secured the key wicket of Cameron Bancroft in his return to cricket, and then completed his spell by having Nathan Coulter-Nile caught in the outfield by Ben McDermott.

“It’s pretty special, those old Australian cricketers giving you praise,” Meredith told cricket.com.au.

“It’s a good feeling.”

Another good feeling would no doubt be his sense of security in the Big Bash’s top performing team. The Hurricanes have won four consecutive games and are sitting comfortably on top of the BBL table heading into the New Year.

Meredith watched similar trends of strong performances from the sidelines last season, before finally receiving a call-up to the Hurricanes’ team for the BBL|07 Semi Final against the Scorchers at Optus Stadium. He maintained his spot for the final, which the Hurricanes lost, but returned to camp this season again unsure of whether he was good enough to again be named in the starting XI.

“I probably thought I was just out of the team at the start of the tournament,” he said.

“I think Tymal (Mills) probably would have started but unfortunately obviously he got injured and opened a bit of a door for me, which is good for me, but obviously bad for him.

“I felt really good towards the back end of the Shield halfway mark. I guess I’ve carried that in.”

It’s no surprise Mills’ injury woes would draw sympathy from the young bowler you grew up and played junior cricket in the small Tasmanian city of Clarence.

Meredith’s development has been halted at crucial times in his career, with numerous injuries interrupting continuity and preventing him from making his Sheffield Shield debut until November last year.

“I haven’t had a serious injury for two, two and a bit years now so I’m pretty confident bowling and don’t feel like I’m going to get injured,” he said.

“I think there’s a bit more clarity around my role and coming in and executing what the coach and captain want me to do.”

National ambitions will no doubt beckon for Meredith, who has time on his side and a long list of BBL batsmen to terrorise first.

In doing so, he has the support of Lee, Johnson and another former Australian quick in Jackson Bird, who in September told cricket.com.au he believes Meredith can go all the way and represent his country.

“It's good to see a homegrown Tassie player coming through the ranks,” Bird said.

“He's got all the attributes to play at the highest level."

And after Meredith’s start to BBL|08, it’s hard to think Bird’s prediction won’t come to fruition.