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Sport

Queensland speedster wants his cut at Manuka

February 1, 2012
Queensland speedster wants his cut at Manuka

Queensland speedster Ben Cutting is keen to unleash his frustration on Sri Lanka after injury and weather curses have halted his his rapid rise through the bowling ranks.

After bowling less than 20 overs in the past two months, Cutting hopes the Prime Minister's XI match tomorrow can provide the springboard he needs to rocket back into Australian selection contention.

Cutting arrived in Canberra on Tuesday night because the constant rain in Brisbane was hindering his training.

The 25-year-old feared the gloomy sky over Manuka Oval would thwart his hopes of getting extra practice, but he managed to get through a full net session unscathed.

Now Cutting hopes he can avoid the likely showers forecast for the match so he can prove he can still be one of the country's best fast bowlers.

''I really want to bowl, I just want the rain to stay away,'' Cutting said yesterday.

''I only started bowling about two weeks ago and I bowled six overs, then I bowled 12 overs but haven't been able to get any more in because of the rain up there.

''It's going to be nice to have a good bowl. The nets in Queensland were under water some days and there are always a few nerves going into games like this, so I'll be better for the training run.''

Cutting was 12th man for the first Test of the summer against New Zealand at the Gabba in December.

However, he suffered a side strain before a Sheffield Shield game for Queensland.

It was supposed to rule him out for four to five weeks.

Instead, Cutting has been on limited duties until now and hopes to terrorise the Sri Lankan batsman to get his career back on track - if the rain stays away.

While Cutting has been recovering, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc have taken their Test opportunities and Ryan Harris has worked his way back into the bowling line-up.

''I'm not trying to re-establish myself, I'm just using this game as a bit of a hit-out before our match for Queensland at the Gabba,'' Cutting said.

''I just want to get some overs under my belt, start from scratch and get my name out there for the selectors by taking wickets in domestic cricket.

''[A few wickets] would be a fantastic way to start the back end of the summer, but [Sri Lanka] are a good team and they can be a damaging batting line-up.''