Out-of-favor Alex Ross expressed his desire to return to first-class cricket for any state in the country. He has played for South Australia in white-ball games but Ross indicated that opportunities are all he cares about; doesn’t matter where he gets them.

The 29-year-old has started off on the right note in Big Bash League Live XI. He has scored 155 runs in 3 games for Sydney Thunder without being dismissed. Those runs have come at a healthy strike rate of 146.23. In Adelaide grade cricket, he has scored over 2500 runs at an average above 50.

With these performances, Ross intends to get back on the selectors’ radar. If not, plenty of T20 franchises will be interested in him. Experience from those leagues, rubbing shoulders with the big stars, and plying his trade on different surfaces and in different conditions will only improve his game further.

“I’ve always loved white-ball cricket so I’d love to play white-ball cricket back in state cricket. I tried to last year, that was the plan around South Australia and was obviously surplus to their requirements. An opportunity to play in that format again would be great. I’d still love to play (Sheffield) Shield cricket but it’s probably not really on the radar at the moment. I haven’t been state-contracted or within a state system.”

Alex Ross

“Perfect world, yes, absolutely, whether it’s on the radar it’s not really up to me, it’s up to everyone else. (I’m) really just enjoying my cricket in the Big Bash at the moment and if anything came up, I’d be willing to have a look and see what it looked like,” Ross was quoted as saying to cricket.com.au.

“Geez, what am I doing here?” – Alex Ross during CPL days

Back in 2016, online cricket betting sites reported that Alex Ross played for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The team was stacked with stalwarts like Kumar Sangakkara and Dale Steyn. Ross was completely awestruck in the moment. He also implied he would jump any opportunity he would get from a league around the world.

“I’ve had a little bit experience playing for Jamaica a few years ago. Our side was incredible – we had Andre Russell, Kumar Sangakkara, Dale Steyn, Shakib Al Hasan, and I thought ‘geez, what am I doing here’,” he mentioned.

“To be able to rub shoulders with some of the best in the world is what those competitions do. Any opportunity I’d be given… as a domestic player to go test your skills in different conditions and against some of the best players in the world… I’d be absolutely wrapped to jump all over,” Ross further added.

Melbourne Stars

Slight technical and mindset changes have helped Ross

Known as ‘The Sweepologist’, Alex Ross has been good against the slower bowlers. The equation wasn’t the same against the faster bowlers so he tweaked his game plan.

“I’ve probably tried to show a little bit more intent against the fast bowlers to either get them out of the ground or tick the ball over and put them under a little bit more pressure. I’ve moved around my crease a little bit more this year.”

“It was a little bit of a criticism that came from the Brisbane Heat when I was up there. Probably starting a little bit slow and not showing enough intent, which I took on board. Moving around, back, forward, and then across the crease trying to create angles and access for my hands and then I back my hands to find the ball from there.”

Promotion up the order in Thunder’s batting order on the back of Ross’ mind

Having played at No. 4 for the Thunder, Alex Ross is keen on receiving a promotion. If he continues his good form, our free cricket betting tips is that there is no reason why the team management won’t let him face more balls at the top of the order.

“I’ve batted four for the Thunder a few times now when we’ve had missing players or internationals hadn’t arrived yet in other years so it would be nice to head back there. Obviously, everybody wants to bat as high as they can when there’s limited balls available but we’ll see what happens.”

Sydney Thunder

“I do enjoy that role of being able to bat in any situation – we can be 3-0 or 3-180 with a ball to go – so it’s nice to be valued there in that role. Any opportunity to go (up the order) is something I would jump at for sure but at this stage, I’m really happy where I am,” Ross added.

The BBL XI season is the last year on Alex Ross’ contract with the Thunder’s but he is keen on re-signing with the franchise. If he keeps up his excellent performances, it would be hard for the Thunder to let him go.

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