10:44 AM
Happy new year 2012
MARK GEENTY
Dropped at the World Cup, rejuvenated in the Indian Premier League. The familiar roller-coaster which is James Franklin's career rushes on as he waits anxiously to see if he features in New Zealand Cricket's plans.
A year ago Franklin was dropped from NZC's chosen 20 and considered packing in his black cap and chasing a fulltime English county career.
Then in February he was added to NZC's payroll under the new elevated contract system.
Now he heads a list including Wellington team-mates Grant Elliott, Luke Woodcock and Jeetan Patel, of those on the cusp as coach John Wright and co-selector Mark Greatbatch nut out their top 20 for the coming season, to be confirmed on July 1.
"I'm obviously hoping like a number of other people. I take nothing for granted. Last year I missed out so I'll leave it to others to speculate [on my chances]. It's a little bit nervy but that's the reality of our sport,'' Franklin said.
Having rushed back to form in India last December and featuring with bat and ball against Pakistan at home, Franklin went to the World Cup as a frontliner.
But after two DNB's in the romps over Kenya and Zimbabwe, 0 against Australia and 1 against Pakistan, then two late cameos against Canada and Sri Lanka, he was dropped by Wright and captain Daniel Vettori for the knockout stages.
"It was fairly mixed. I didn't do what I set out to do for the team and it was pretty frustrating. There were two early games where I didn't get a bat or a bowl, and because the games were spaced apart I didn't have a decent bat for 2-3 weeks. I didn't feel in great nick and that reflected in my stats.''
His stint in India extended to four months when he made his IPL debut for Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai Indians, who signed him for US$100,000 at the player auction. After more idle weeks he got a late call-up and responded, averaging 53.50 from five innings at a strike rate of 137 as Mumbai made the preliminary final before being eliminated by Vettori's Bangalore. Franklin will return in September for the Champions League.
"I've still got belief in my own ability and my own game. It was more just getting the opportunity from the coaches and the owners to have a crack at it.''
Sharing a dressing room with Tendulkar and observing his hero status in India was a highlight.
"He's a really nice guy and it's fascinating to watch the way he trains and prepares for games under all that scrutiny. That was good fun, also getting to know him and what his interests are outside the game.'' For Tendulkar, that list is headed by cars and Formula One.
Now back home with wife Kerry and son Charlie, 2, and a second child due in July, Franklin, 30, is taking his first serious break in two years instead of rejoining Gloucestershire.
His player review with Wright and Greatbatch will focus on his bowling, which he hopes to return to the state it was five years ago. With 89 ODIs and 27 tests to his name, the premier allrounder's spot remains a big goal when training resumes next month.
"Bowling is going to be a key emphasis, to work hard and get it back to a standard where I can win games for whoever I play for. It has been a bit topsy turvy for the past two years.''
- The Dominion Post
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