Trent Copeland Profile
Too slow. That’s all you will hear around the media about Trent Copeland on why he’ll never make it on the
international stage. Personally, I cringe every time I hear it.
The ridiculously tall New South Welshman made his first class debut at the beginning of 2010. In that game he ripped Queensland to shreds, claiming a 10 wicket haul for the match including 8/92 in the first innings. From there he has never looked back and in his 31 first class games has taken 121 wickets at the superb average of 25.60.
However his incredible ability to bowl mammoth spells while giving away no runs in the process is his trademark. An absolute master at building pressure, Copeland’s career first class economy rate is 2.47 – just better than Glenn McGrath. On average he bowls 40 overs a game.
All these aspects make Trent as reliable a pace bowler as you will find. Where he lacks in pace he makes up for in control, movement and awkward bounce. The height that his deliveries come from result in steep bounce and this makes him deceptively quick.
He was picked in the Australian Test side to play in Sri Lanka in 2011. There he played 3 tests and was not at his prolific wicket taking best (6 at 37.83). On the other hand he gave nothing away, his economy was 2.10, as tight as ever. Unfortunately this would be Copeland’s only chance in the test team to date, he was dumped from the side following the tour. To summarise all the reasons as to why: ‘too slow’.
For these reasons Trent Copeland has attained the endorsement of TC Ink. While bowling styles are important to consider when choosing sides, in the end only one thing matters: results. Copeland is someone who gets results either in the form of a bag full of wickets, a ridiculously low economy or both. He is the sort of bowler I would pick without hesitation in any bowling line up. Throw him the ball and you have peace of mind that he has an end tied up. If he doesn’t get wickets, he’ll build tonnes of pressure and allow more of a strike bowler cash in at the other end.
Copeland Sheffield Shield Stats Season 2012/13
10 wickets (4th) at 22.80. Economy 2.5