Queensland Bulls and Australian leg spinner Mitchell Swepson has lamented a lack of cricket ahead of his inclusion for the tour of Pakistan.
Swepson spent the entire summer travelling with Australia's Ashes squad, but failed to make it onto the field at any point, instead running the drinks.
While Swepson told the media that he loved being part of the squad, a lack of cricket has left him wanting more.
There were loud calls for Swepson to play as part of a double spin attack during the fourth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground - a venue which traditionally takes turn - however, the selectors opted against it, instead electing to play three quicks as well as Nathan Lyon.
It was a Test Australia failed to win by a single wicket as the English tail grimly held on following over 50 overs being lost throughout due to rain.
The lack of preparation only got worse for Swepson at the Gabba last week in a Sheffield Shield clash against New South Wales in a match which saw no team make 200 and Swepson only bowl two overs in the contest.
“Last week wasn’t ideal,” he said.
“I would have liked to have bowled a lot more overs at the Gabba but the conditions didn’t quite suit, nor did the situation of the game.
“I’m keen to get out there at Junction (Oval) and hopefully it’s a bit more of a spinning-style wicket and I can have a good, long bowl out in the middle.
“It’ll do me the world of good I think.”
He said that playing as a squad member was a "patience game".
“It’s a role I’ve been playing for two years now … it’s definitely a patience game,” he said.
“I love being around the Australian squad. You’d rather be there than not be there.
“It’s great that they still think of me as that guy that could come in, (but) as a cricketer, you want to be playing cricket.
“Last year probably hurt me a little bit in that I didn’t quite get the cricket under my belt that I would have liked.”
Swepson's next opportunity to prepare begins today at the Junction Oval against Victoria, with Queensland winning the toss and electing to bat.
Australia's squad to Pakistan will depart in the lead up to the first Test, which is a fortnight away.
