Paul Walter's low profile could soon grow to match his 200cm frame as the English allrounder aims to transfer his domestic limited overs form into Big Bash League value.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Taken in the third round of the draft by the Brisbane Heat, the 29-year-old is yet to announce himself to Australian audiences.
He bowled just one over in the Heat's record 103-run defeat of the Melbourne Stars on Thursday, taking 1-7 after not being required with the bat.
A shoulder injury thwarted efforts to feature in the BBL last season after his exploits with bat and ball for Essex in the Blast and Manchester in the Hundred demanded attention.
"I've always wanted to play Big Bash,' he told AAP.
"I've done well back home the last couple of years, this year popped my name in the draft and let my agent do the work.
"I couldn't have asked for a better game to begin with than that.
"At one stage I didn't think I was going to do anything."
Walter bowls cunning left-arm pace, using variations rather than outright speed to restrict the batting side during the middle overs.
And he can hit a long ball, Walter's six sixes in an over in the Essex Premier League one of the reasons he secured his first professional contract as a 22-year-old.
Walter warmed up with a century in Melbourne club cricket, where he spent a season seven years ago, before joining the Heat squad.
He hopes to play a role, if needed, when the Heat meet Adelaide Strikers on Saturday.
"But in the role I play, if I'm not doing much then the team's generally doing pretty well," he said.
"I've been waiting to get out there all week, now we're there it's good and nice to fly to Adelaide quickly and play again.
"There's lots of depth as well, guys that didn't start tonight and we'll need it with the Test guys (Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne) heading off."
Their exit could mean a recall for big-hitter Josh Brown, who blasted a 42-ball century in a Heat practice game a week ago.
Brown, in-form Tasmanian Sheffield Shield batter Charlie Wakim and allrounders Jack Wildermuth and Jack Wood have all been added to the squad to play at Adelaide Oval.
"It's a very balanced squad," import Colin Munro, who will captain on Saturday, said after his unbeaten 99 on Thursday.
"Browny will be back in the next game or two; it shows the depth and it'd be nice to open with him as well."
Australian Associated Press
