'Short of runs' Cowan 'not surprised' at missing out on CA contract

Sydney, June 23(ANI): Australian Test opener Ed Cowan has said he wasn't surprised with not making it to Cricket Australia's ( CA) 17-strong 2012-13 contract shortlist, and acknowledges the fact that he requires more runs under his belt to secure his Test spot.

"The communication has been really positive. They are happy with the role I am playing...(but) the selectors want some more runs. I have had a great opportunity to really cement that spot at the top of the order but I probably haven't scored as many runs that I probably should have," Fox Sports quoted Cowan, as saying.

"That conversation (about earning a contract) would have been ended pretty quickly with a couple of Test hundreds. I am looking forward to opening for Australia hopefully at the Gabba in November, putting some runs on the board and earning my way back onto the contract list. That's a really great incentive to keep the fire burning in the belly," he added.

In seven Tests, Cowan has scored three half-centuries at 29.83, and when asked if he was surprised he missed the cut, Cowan said: "Not really."

"You tend to do the sums in your head and I thought I could have been anywhere between number 16 and 20 on the bottom end of that list and selectors chose to only award 17 contracts," he added.

"So I wasn't shocked, but I was naturally disappointed as you would be, but I think it's great for Australian cricket that it is going to be so competitive for contracts moving forward," he said. (ANI)