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Faster, stronger, harder: Big Billy set for big return

Towering quick to resume bowling and believes he can up his pace and cause problems for 'anyone' as he eyes big year ahead

Towering Queensland quick Billy Stanlake believes he possesses the skill-set to trouble even the world's best batsmen as he prepares to take his first steps on a potentially life-changing path across the next 14 months.

Stanlake will resume bowling in Brisbane on Friday after suffering a fractured right pinkie finger during the Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the 23-year-old is high on confidence after a breakout summer in the T20 format.

"I think I've found that if I get it right, it's going to be difficult for anyone to score or do well against," he told cricket.com.au.

"It's a simple game plan that I don't really need to overcomplicate: bowl fast, bowl aggressive and take wickets."

On Monday, Stanlake was selected in Australia's ODI and T20 squads for the upcoming tours of the UK and Zimbabwe, while news on Tuesday has him confident his finger won't prevent him from playing.

Aussie T20 squad sizzle reel: Billy Stanlake

"I saw the surgeon a couple of days ago, he said the finger is looking quite good," he said.

"I'm going to start bowling again tomorrow, so I've got plenty of time to get myself ready to go."

The Australian squad, led by Tim Paine and under new coach Justin Langer, will convene at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane in a little over a fortnight for a training camp ahead of flying out to the UK, with the first of five ODIs on June 13 in London.

The series is set to mark a new direction for Australia in the 50-over game as they fine-tune preparations for their World Cup defence under the new coach-captain combination.

Stanlake has played just two ODIs – both in January 2017 – but in the absence of injured strike pair Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, he looks likely to add to that tally in England.

His outstanding KFC Big Bash form for Adelaide Strikers (11 wickets in 10 matches, 6.47 runs per over) last summer was rewarded with a T20I call-up in February.

Stanlake takes two wickets in two, and then ...

He immediately repaid selectors' faith with a stunning new-ball spell against New Zealand, finishing the match with 3-15 and clocking around 150kph, as he had done regularly through the BBL.

That pace, together with his height, makes for a frightening combination – and Stanlake sees no reason why he can't get quicker.

"I don't want to put a ceiling on (how fast I can get), and I don't want to just be happy with where I am now – I've still got a few years for my body to mature and strengthen," he said. "So I don't see why I can't get faster.

"That's the challenge. I know I've got a big year of hopefully playing a lot of games, and getting another year older is going to play a factor in that."

During his time in camp with the national side, Stanlake said he benefited from the wisdom of former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, who was brought in as an assistant coach throughout that T20I tri-series.

Ponting's Awards: Rising Star - Billy Stanlake

"He was great for me through those games," said the right-arm quick, who finished the series with eight wickets.

"After that first game against New Zealand he said, 'that's your blueprint – if it suits you, you're going to trouble the best batsmen around the world'.

"And then before the second game, he said to me, 'What do you need to do today?' He wanted to make sure I knew I had to back it up. That you don't just do it for one game.

"So he instilled great confidence in me. When he spoke, everyone was glued to what he had to say."

A strong showing from Stanlake in the 50-over format in England next month would be looked upon favourably by selectors when it comes to next year's World Cup, to be hosted in the same country.

"That's a great goal to have, to try and make that (World Cup) team," he added. "But that's a long way away. The important thing for me is to stay injury free, and be playing cricket. Last summer, the volume of games I played, I got some continuity for once.

"And the more you play, the more confident you get."

Qantas ODI Tour of England

June 7 Warm-up v Sussex, Hove (D/N)

June 9 Warm-up v Middlesex, Lord's

June 13 First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16 Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19 Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21 Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24 Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27 Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Thursday, July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

Friday, July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 8: Final