NEWS » d up infielder T.J. Rivera

Imagine an identity parade of Australias leading domestic bowlers, lined up as in a crime film. John Citizen, that generic member of the public, is asked to name them. If hes 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 whos 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 competitions most consistent performers of the past five years, during which time he has collected 143 wickets at 27.89. And if you dont know him, thats just the way he likes it. Although Mennie dreams of playing Test cricket one day, public attention is something he can live without.Im pretty happy flying under the radar, Mennie told ESPNcricinfo. Im not one for putting myself out there massively. Its probably not my thing. Im at the stage where not a lot of people, unless you really know cricket, know my name. Im 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 Australias 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 years Test tour of New Zealand, even if a baggy green did not eventuate.Its 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, its just continue what Ive 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.Theres still a big push for blokes who bowl quick, but its good to see blokes who are performing well in Shield cricket getting noticed and picked at times now. Thats positive.If youre not express, theres no point trying to be express. If its not your game-plan, its not your game-plan. Thats probably not me. Im probably never going to be pushing the 140s, 145s. Some of the other blokes do, but Ive 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 Mennies 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. Theyve been outstanding for the five years Ive been there now.It [Adelaide Oval] has always been seen as a batters paradise. The last couple of years, theres been a little bit there for the quicks. Last year, there was a little bit more grass on it, which has probably helped us. Its still a great batting track, but it has offered a little bit for the bowlers. Its a tough place to bowl, but a great challenge. 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Rivera from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday to fill the roster spot opened up when outfielder Brandon Nimmo was optioned.The 27-year old Rivera leads Triple-A baseball with a .349 batting average and is a .323 hitter over his six-year minor league career. He also was tied for the team lead in runs batted in with 80.You start to wonder if this year is the year you are going to get the call, Rivera said. I just tried to put together good at-bats consistently and luckily I was able to finally get the call.The undrafted free agent grew up in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, a short drive from Citi Field, and was immediately placed into the lineup, wearing No. 54, and batting sixthh in his major league debut.dddddddddddd Manager Terry Collins suggested that Rivera would get a chance to prove himself in a lineup searching for production minus stars Yoenis Cespedes, David Wright and Lucas Duda.I think right now, the plan is going to be to give him a chance to play some third base here, Collins said.The Mets are last in the majors in hitting and next-to-last in runs.Duda was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to create room for Rivera on the 40-man roster. Duda was placed on the 15-day DL on May 24 with a stress fracture in his back and recently encountered a setback in his recovery. ' ' '