Mennie's happy returns bring selection gift

Imagine an identity parade of Australia's leading domestic bowlers, lined up as in a crime film. John Citizen, that generic member of the public, is asked to name them. If he's watched Australia play in the past couple of years, he might pick out Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Fawad Ahmed. And was that James Hopes who just left the room? But who's the tall bloke with sandy hair?

That, Mr Citizen, is Joe Mennie, the top Sheffield Shield wicket-taker of last summer and one of the competition's most consistent performers of the past five years, during which time he has collected 143 wickets at 27.89. And if you don't know him, that's just the way he likes it. Although Mennie dreams of playing Test cricket one day, public attention is something he can live without.

"I'm pretty happy flying under the radar," Mennie told ESPNcricinfo. "I'm not one for putting myself out there massively. It's probably not my thing. I'm at the stage where not a lot of people, unless you really know cricket, know my name. I'm not too dissatisfied with that."

If the average punter has not especially noticed Mennie, at least the national selectors are starting to take notice. Mennie is part of the Australia A squad for their series of two four-day matches against South Africa A starting in Queensland this weekend. And, while Mennie may lack the pace Australia's selectors most desire, he knows how to pick up wickets regardless.

Mennie, 27, has long since accepted that he will never bowl express like his childhood role model, Brett Lee. Instead, he, like his South Australia team-mates Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall, operates in the low 130s, and uses accuracy and movement to cause problems. It was encouraging for Mennie that Sayers was chosen for this year's Test tour of New Zealand, even if a baggy green did not eventuate.

"It's exciting to be recognised," Mennie said. "To be picked in Aussie A, or any Aussie setup, is a big tick in your favour. For me, it's just continue what I've been doing, playing my role and not trying to go away from that. Stick to my game-plan, and I should do pretty well, hopefully.

"There's still a big push for blokes who bowl quick, but it's good to see blokes who are performing well in Shield cricket getting noticed and picked at times now. That's positive.

"If you're not express, there's no point trying to be express. If it's not your game-plan, it's not your game-plan. That's probably not me. I'm probably never going to be pushing the 140s, 145s. Some of the other blokes do, but I've just got to recognise my role and be happy with that, and go out and perform."

That approach brought Mennie 51 Shield wickets at 21.21 last summer, which made him the leading wicket-taker in the competition, seven clear of Worrall. That Mennie's success has come largely at Adelaide Oval, a venue traditionally viewed as hard work for fast bowlers, certainly justified his move from home in New South Wales - he grew up south of Coffs Harbour - five years ago.

"SA approached me and wanted me across," Mennie said. "To get the experience at first-class level - I was probably going to struggle at New South Wales. I was probably not high up in their minds, so I always knew I was probably going to have to make the move somewhere. SA have been great to me. They've been outstanding for the five years I've been there now.

"It [Adelaide Oval] has always been seen as a batter's paradise. The last couple of years, there's been a little bit there for the quicks. Last year, there was a little bit more grass on it, which has probably helped us. It's still a great batting track, but it has offered a little bit for the bowlers. It's a tough place to bowl, but a great challenge."