February 2010 - Queensland Cricket

Ben Cutting laughs loudlywhen asked if he wouldhave thought a person insaneif they had suggestedto him six monthsago that he would be theleading wicket-taker in theworld’s best interstatecompetition after sixrounds in 2009-10.“Definitely,” he roared.Nonetheless, it is testamentto his commitment,determination and willingnessto learn that Cuttingshould have taken 26wickets, one more thanSouth Australian PeterGeorge, at this point of theseason.“It’s definitely very nicebut you have to rememberthere are four rounds togo,” Cutting said.To put into perspectiveCutting’s ability to keep hisfocus on the job at hand,he had no idea he hadjumped to the top of thewicket-taking list until approachedto do this interview.XXXX GOLD QUEENSLAND BULLS PROFILE 12 7BEN KEEPS CUTTINGOPPOSITION TO PIECESHe has come a longway in a short periodof time. He made hisfirst class debut inOctober 2007 as a20-year-old when aspate of injuries hitthe XXXX GOLD Bullson the eve of thatseason.He had to wait 16months for his nextopportunity, playingtwo Shield gameslast February, thesecond against NSWat the Gabba wherehe took 3-51 and 3-29 and looked like hebelonged at that levelfor the first time.Cutting was calledinto the team for theShield final, returning0-81 and 1-76 on aslow Junction Ovalwicket, and so wentinto this summer withjust four games underhis belt.In fact, the critics werewondering just howQueensland were goingto take 20 wickets in amatch with what manyof them thought was athreadbare attack.Little did they knowabout the blood, sweatand tears shed by thelikes of Cutting, fellowyoungster Scott Walterand the entire pacebattery.“It was the combinationof a few things,”Cutting said of his elevationfrom raw youngtalent to leadingwicket-taker.“I got a bit older andmore mature about thegame. I spent everymorning of the whole offseasonin the gym with‘Medno” (conditioningcoach Damian Mednis)and put on 8kg.“It was a tough grind, butonce I got going it got easier.I also spent a lot oftime working on my techniquewith (fast bowlingcoach) Joe Dawes. Bothhelped massively.”He began with 2-83 and 0-24 against WA in Perth,but hit paydirt in Round 2with 2-41 and a gamebreaking6-37 off 23 lightningfast overs againstTasmania at the Gabba.Adelaide proved more difficultwith 1-62 and 1-46against the Redbacks, althoughthe MCG was moreto his liking where heclaimed 4-60 in his onlyinnings at the crease, includingthe scalps of DavidHussey, Cameron Whiteand Matthew Wade.Continued page 8