HE has consistently been one of best bowlers in the Sheffield Shield competition and has produced arguably the spell of the summer thus far, yet Trent Copeland knows he is unlikely to play any more Test cricket.
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Copeland was a member of the Australian team which won the three-Test series against Sri Lanka in 2011, the Bathurst star taking six wickets across those games.
Since then he has not worn the baggy green even though he has shone on Australia's domestic scene. He boasts 384 first class wickets.
In his three shield matches this summer he's taken 10 wickets, which include a 5-17 in the win over Queensland. In that game he at one stage bowled 66 consecutive dots balls and his figures stood at 5-6 off 14 overs.
While Copeland - a five-time winner of New South Wales' most valuable shield player award - says he is 'not bitter about' being dropped from the Australian side, he feels he could have earned more Test caps.
"I've thought back at different stages where, certainly the last Ashes because I thought I was at the peak of my powers and could have offered something to the squad, certainly at different stages throughout I thought there may have been chances," Copeland said.
"But I'm not tasked with making those decisions, they've got every right to be making them as they have, so certainly no hard feelings here."
I am incredibly thankful to play in one Test series. We won that in the subcontinent ... I'm bloody proud of that
- Trent Copeland
While Copeland's success with the ball is more about his consistent line and length rather than pace, he feels that a fast-medium bowler such as himself could still play a role in a Test bowling attack.
It is why he has not tried to alter his action in the pursuit for more speed.
"There was a time when Craig McDermott was the bowling coach and he was talking about run up velocity and things like that .. [it was suggested] maybe I could have a dip at bowling faster," Copeland said.
"But really it was about having your own intestinal fortitude to say 'You know this is what I do, this is how I can be the best value-add to the team'. Certainly in the teams I've played in and the games that I've watched - and I'm a cricket nuffy, I watch a lot - you know there is room to be a skilful, moving the ball late, moving the ball laterally, methodical type bowler to go with guys with their speed."
For Copeland the fact he got to wear the baggy green is still something he cherishes, even though he would have preferred his Test debut to have come at a different venue.
"Had I dreamt up a place to make a debut top of the list might have been Sydney being at home even though that's not perfect conditions, England, New Zealand - you name it, it wouldn't have been Galle in Sri Lanka," he said.
"[But] I look back at that so fondly and the guys that came along to displace me are pretty bloody good. When you look at it the three guys, even the four guys that are in and around the Test team right now, all came onto the scene when I got dropped.
"I am incredibly thankful to play in one Test series. We won that in the subcontinent ... I'm bloody proud of that."
