Extract from JL's book
JL has written his own book, called 'From outback to outfield'. It's the story of the '98 season he spent playing for Middlesex CC in England.
The book is definately worth buying yourself - very interesting protrayal of the positives and negatives of English cricket, and includes many funny tales about both cricket and his family life. The book is published by Hodder Headline (ISBN 0 472 2261 4). To get a hold of it click here to email Hodder Headline and they will tell you the location of your nearest stockist.
Below is an extract from 'From outback to outfield'
Page 135
Friday, 19 June - getting a bowl
"You know how kids beg their mums for an ice-cream or a chocolate bar in a supermarket? Well, like one of those nagging little kids I have been reduced to begging Ramps or Browny for a bowl ever since arriving in England. Until today my efforsts have been futile. Both captains have just smiled politely, shaking their heads as if to say, 'Please don't embarrass me. How can I possibly let a pie-thrower like you bowl in first class cricket? All that it will do is bring the game into disripute'.
Now I will be the first to admit I ahven't got the perfect Imran Khan action. I don't get bounce of Curtly Ambrose or the reverse swing of Waqar Younis. In fact, I will even admit that I look like your perfect Peter Pie-thrower when delivering the cricket ball. But aesthetics apart, I also know that if I put enough balls in the right spot, swing it a bit this way and that, and get a few to stay a bit low, I can do a job for the boys.
I have tried all the lines: 'Trust me, I take wickets in club cricket back home' and 'What ahve we got to lose at this stage?' even 'I promise they come out better than they look'. Everyone of them has just been knocked back by my smiling, disbelieving skipper. That is, until today.
The over before tea, Browny finally succumbed to by relentless pleas and psuedo warm-up actions in the field, and threw me the ball. 'Go on Alfy, (after Allan 'Alfie' Langer, the famous Australian rugby league player) have a go. Let's ahve a look at what you've got'.
Obviously having an eye for talent, Browny must ahve been at least semi-impressed as he threw me the ball for a couple of overs after the break. Five overs, and the figures of one for ten later, I was asked to take a spell. How pumped do you think I was?
A little inswinger down the leg side gave Browny a stumping and me my first wicket in county cricket. Yes! Having bet Jamie Hewitt fifty quid at the start of the season that I would take ten championship wickets for the season, I am now on my way. Ten wickets is quite a few for a bowler of my lack of ability but you just never know.
The way I see it, all I have to do is keep bugging my captain, like that persistant little child, until he can no longer put up with the pressure. I figure he will eventually get sick of my begging and surrender, just like the mum who eventually surrenders and lets her kids have that chocolate bar or ice-cream. If today is anything to go by, all I need is continued persistance and nine more unfortunate county batsmen to help me over the line."
