Cowan aims to become match winner for Australia

Sydney: Australian opener Ed Cowan has said he needs runs in the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba to cement his place in the team.

Cowan averages 29.83 from seven Tests and is yet to score a century since his debut against India last summer. In his book released last year, titled “In the Firing Line”, Cowan made the shock revelation he was told by a former Test selector he would never make it as a Test cricketer because he lacked the ability to score freely and quickly. The stinging critique came in June 2010, just after Cowan had blasted a ton playing for Australia A against Sri Lanka, The Herald Sun reports. With Test debutant Rod Quiney breathing down his neck at No.3, Cowan is confident he can overcome a slow start to the Sheffield Shield season and cement his place at the apex of Australia’s top order. “At no stage have I felt out of my depth (at Test level). Knowing what to expect means you can prepare accordingly and seven Tests is now a point in time where you know what Test match cricket is about and what you need to get to that point for peak performance,” said Cowan, who has managed just 150 runs at 21.42 for Tasmania entering the first Test. “I am pretty comfortable with how my preparation has been and it’s something that has been building for six or seven months now. It feels like a crescendo to November 9 and I’m looking forward to turning it on then.” While he has yet to post a triple-figure score in the Test arena, Cowan is determined to emulate the likes of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey and become a regular match-winner. ANI