Fergus O'Neill, the Victoria fast bowler, has stated that he is prepared if Australia approach him to be part of the Ashes. O'Neill, 25, feels that the experience gained playing at Trent Bridge would help him settle quickly if selected to play for Australia in England.

 

O'Neill, however, carried on where he left off at the start of this season to claim 200 wickets in first-class cricket when reaching the total at the outstanding average of 19.43. His spell at Nottinghamshire served his case for greater recognition, claiming 26 wickets in his five County Championship games at 16.38 for the right-arm pacer. His average with the bat during the same period was 57.00.

 

During two spells at Nottinghamshire, O'Neill snared 47 wickets in only nine games at 17.06. In his final game before leaving for England, another fantastic season arrived in the Sheffield Shield, taking 35 wickets at 18.80.

 

O'Neill Confident About an Ashes Opportunity

 

Speaking ahead of the series on SEN radio, O'Neill declared he would not be overawed by the occasion if called upon to play in the Ashes.

 

O'Neill said:

 

"My home ground [in England] is a Test venue at Trent Bridge, so I feel like I wouldn't be too starstruck by the occasion or by the ground and the conditions. So, yeah, if that opportunity arises, I think I'd be in a good position to put my best foot forward."

 

The fast bowler's knowledge of English conditions and steady accomplishments in county cricket have earned him a place as one of Australia's hopefuls in the pace department in the years to come.

 

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Patient Despite Australia's Strong Pace Attack

 

As impressive as O'Neill's record is, he is aware that grabbing a place in the Australian Test side won't be straightforward. Given the wealth of experience in the Australian pace attack, he knows it will take time.

 

O'Neill said:

 

"With the players you've got ahead of you, you can never whinge about what they've done and how they're still cracking on now. You know it's a very tough team to crack, but I think I'm doing the right things to be there or thereabouts for when they do retire and move on or if there are injuries."

 

He also acknowledged that his international aspirations will depend a lot on the timing.

 

He added:

 

"So I think I've just got to keep putting my best foot forward. It's about timing, though, I suppose. I've got to keep doing that at the right time, and probably two, three years, I think there might be some opportunities."

 

O'Neill's next appearance for Victoria comes in the One-Day Cup, after which he will line up for another Sheffield Shield season, having signed another three-year deal with Nottinghamshire. That will give him another shot in English conditions before a defining Ashes contest.