Even after making his way into the national team, Faulkner never changed his style. However, he grabbed the attention of the entire cricketing world during the India series. In the third ODI, coming to bat in the 42nd over, he played an unbelievable knock of 64 runs off just 29 balls, helping Australia achieve an almost impossible victory. In the fifth match, he smashed a century off just 57 balls, becoming Australia’s fastest centurion at that time.
Australia had lost to New Zealand in the group stage of the 2015 World Cup, which only added to the excitement of the final as a chance for revenge. But the fate of this trans-Tasman battle was shaped by just one man — James Faulkner. He dismantled the Kiwi batting line-up with three crucial wickets for just 36 runs, ensuring another world title for Australia.
Faulkner had always been like this since childhood — a little more confident, a little more arrogant than his peers. He used to think of himself as Wasim Akram and even forced his friends to believe the same. This extreme self-confidence helped him thrive in big matches, mastering the art of performing under pressure.
This all-rounder never liked to bow his head down — he was always at the forefront of celebrations. His performances matched his attitude. From the 2009/10 season, he won the prestigious Ponting Medal, awarded to Tasmania’s best cricketer, three years in a row.
No, Faulkner was never the most consistent player in the traditional sense. But amid the crowd, he always stood out. When others played cautiously, he would step up and tear the opposition apart — this aggression ultimately paved his path to success.
Whenever there was a final or a do-or-die scenario, this Aussie would bring out his very best. He always wanted to win. That’s why, in every title-deciding match, he would arrive with either a superhuman innings or a destructive bowling spell.
Even after making it to the national side, Faulkner didn’t change his style. But it was the India series that brought him into the global spotlight. In the third ODI, coming to bat in the 42nd over, he played an incredible knock of 64 runs from 29 balls, taking Australia to victory against all odds. In the fifth match, he scored a century in just 57 balls, becoming the fastest centurion among the Aussies at that time.
Later, his heroic innings at The Gabba established him as the rightful successor to Michael Bevan. Although an injury in 2014 kept him out of action for a long time, his return was nothing short of royal — he scripted his own story in the World Cup.
Be it knee injuries or loss of form, Faulkner’s career faced many obstacles. Yet, he never gave up. His intense self-belief always pushed him ahead of others. In domestic cricket too, he continued to dominate in the same way.
But soon after, Faulkner’s downfall began. Controversy arose regarding his contract with Tasmania. His clash with team management turned out to be one of the darkest chapters of his life. Before that wound could heal, he sparked another controversy in the PSL, leaving the tournament midway. PCB even imposed a ban on him for that incident. Gradually, his once-bright career started to fade.
Now 34 years old, Faulkner’s contemporaries like Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc are still performing at the highest level. But he has almost disappeared from the cricketing world. Ironically, the arrogance that once made him unique eventually led to his downfall.
Yet, this all-rounder holds no regrets. He is content with his personal life and spends his retirement happily with his family. The impact he made in a short span cannot simply be erased. Not just his on-field performances, but his rare blend of humility and aggression in his personality has made him unforgettable to those close to him.
