keeps the faith in Australia

AUSTRALIA: Keilor went into yesterday’s final round against Victorian Turf Cricket Association rival Old Paradians hoping to ensure a position in the top two. In the minutes before the game, Jim Willmott, a 37-year-old bowler with a big heart and eight club championship awards, made an impassioned speech about giving everything in what might be his last game at home. Then Willmott stepped back and Trinidadian recruit Darrel Brown, whose performances with bat and ball were the talk of suburban cricket before Christmas, called his team-mates into a huddle.

“OK, we’ll say a prayer,” he said. “Hats off.” The cricketers held their hats in hand and put their arms around each other’s shoulders. All heads were bowed while Brown asked God to enable the team to play to its ability. Willmott later admitted that, as a former coach and president of the cricket club, he had made a few speeches over the years. But until this season, his words were never followed by prayer. “Browny’s the first one — probably the only one,” he said. “But that’s all right.” Brown’s faith stopped him playing cricket until he was 20. A Seventh Day Adventist, he observed the Sabbath until deciding to practise under his own code, which meant allowing for cricket.

A Couva boy

The turning point was chancing across a nets session in his home town, Couva, in central Trinidad in 1994. Curiosity got the better of Brown, who knew his father, Theophilus, was a brilliant cricketer before finding God, and he asked if he could join in. Brown’s unschooled deliveries led to a few games at club level and, a few months later, a ticket to London to play with Hounslow in the Thames Valley league.

In his second season with Hounslow, the club converted a corner of its social rooms into an apartment to persuade him to stay. In 1999, Brown made his debut for Trinidad. Two years later, he made his debut for the West Indies in a limited-overs match against Zimbabwe at Kandy, in Sri Lanka. “I’m a nervous person sometimes,” the 193-centimetre all-rounder said. “But that day, from the first three balls, I felt good.” His second wicket was the prized scalp of Andy Flower, and his final figures of 3-21 suggested a healthy future. But Sri Lanka belted him for 72 runs from his 10 overs before he tore ankle ligaments against Pakistan in Sharjah early last year. Two months on the sidelines left him out of the reckoning for international cricket, so he returned to Hounslow.

A month after the English season, Keilor captain Mick Andreadis picked Brown up at Melbourne Airport and deposited him at a motel across the road from the oval at 3 am. Four hours later, Brown was running laps and measuring out his run-up. Later that day, he confirmed his class with his first boundary for his new club. Despite long grass that prevented other batsmen finding the boundary without lofting, Brown drove a ball along the ground, through the covers, to the fence. Vice-president Chris Willmott showed his delight by repeatedly hitting Andreadis on the leg. “How good is this?” Willmott said.

Later that day, Andreadis threw Brown the ball and promised free chicken from a takeaway outlet for the rest of the year if he took a wicket in his first over. Brown gained a lbw decision with his second ball. Six weeks later, Andreadis promised free fare from another outlet if Brown took a wicket in his first over. The all-rounder duly earned himself more junk food at the captain’s expense. By Christmas, Brown’s 320 runs and 24 wickets left him well within reach of achieving his goal of 600 runs and 50 wickets. But an injured back has ended his domination. Since the Christmas break, which he said upset his rhythm, he has barely bowled and his batting has been subdued. Brown’s distaste for inactivity affects his recovery. The club suggested he sit on the sidelines for a couple of games but Brown refused. “I would like to rest, but it’s not in my nature,” he said. “When I finish cricket, I will have years to rest.”

Calls Trinidad for cooking recipe

The 29-year-old admitted it was difficult to step aside because he started playing so late. He learnt by closely watching Brian Lara and accepting bowling advice from Ian Bishop and Phil Simmons, all Trinidadians. He was proud to say his nickname in his native land, Black Panther, reflected the aggression of his early career. Now, a black panther adorns a ring that he hangs around his neck on a gold chain. “It’s a symbol of me,” he said. He would like to return to play in Trinidad and, hopefully, force his way back into the West Indies team. But such dreams appear remote if he continues his recent form for Keilor.

Yesterday, he was bowled cheaply. During the Old Paradians innings, he fielded in the outfield and took 2-38 from 10 overs. During the week, he might seek comfort by ringing his mother and asking for help with a rice and beans dish, as is his wont. His distance from Trinidad must have been emphasised yesterday by the cold wind and scudding clouds. He and his club will be hoping for sunnier times in coming weeks.