Forgotten Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger has insisted that he is not 'dead' and is still a force in the cricketing world after he claimed six wickets in a spirited performance for domestic side New South Wales (NSW) in the first round of the Sheffield Shield tournament.
The left-armer, whose took 6-34 from 19 overs with Tasmania struggling to 9-195 at stumps on the second day of the Shield game in reply to NSW's 288, remains hopeful of a recall in the winter Ashes almost four years after he last played Test cricket.
According to News.com.au, Bollinger insisted that he is not dead and is planning on taking as many wickets as he can in the first three Shield games and then continue on this form hopefully into the winter Ashes, although he admitted that he needs to finish the game in a consistent form before he can think about getting a call-up.
However, Bollinger said that new national coach Darren Lehmann has assured him of having good prospects ahead of the Ashes, adding that Lehmann repeated the old cliche that batters get runs, bowlers get wickets and the rest looks after itself.
The report mentioned that Bollinger's season has improved quickly after being suspended for a match during the Ryobi Cup for throwing the ball at an opponent, adding that he was on top of the world in 2010 after being named in the ICC's Test and one-day teams of the year.