Neil Fairbrother: The Dream Debut for Lancashire Against Kent
Neil Fairbrother played as a middle-order batsman for England between 1987 and 1999. He played First-class cricket for Lancashire from 1982 to 2002. He was named after Australian cricketer Neil Harvey by his mother. Colin Bateman mentioned, Fairbrother was an inventive and intelligent left-hander cricketer.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Dream Debut:
One fine Saturday morning, Fairbrother was sleeping in his room. The phone rang downstairs and after a brief pause, Fairbrother’s mom rushed into his room. He was surprised by the sudden jerk. She said that Jack Bond was on the line and he wanted Neil to play today’s match for Lancashire against Kent because some of the players were not recovered from injury. Mr. Bond also requested them to reach Old Trafford within an hour.
Fairbrother was pretty sure it was a hoax call and politely requested his mom to go away. However, she insisted on going to the stadium. When they reached Old Trafford, Jack Bond was waiting at the gate and he escorted Neil to the dressing room.
There was captain Clive Lloyd and Bumble, Jack Simmons, Graeme Fowler all the heroes of Neil were seating in the dressing room. Neil thought, he must be dreaming. He was in his bed an hour earlier, and now he was sharing the dressing room with legends of the game. Soon Fairbrother realized it was not a dream and he was fielding for Lancashire in Old Trafford.
Fairbrother was thrilled and at the same time nervous too. Not many 18 years old blokes get the opportunity to rub their shoulders with the best of the game. He was determined to do well. Fairbrother fielded well on the first day. Next day, he went again to play in the Sunday league. He didn’t get a chance to bat but took a catch at long off. Play couldn’t resume on Monday due to rain. Finally, Kent declared the innings on Tuesday afternoon. Fairbrother didn’t get a chance to bat in the game but he remembered the magnificent hundred and fifty scored by David Lloyd.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a month later, Neil Fairbrother got another call from Jack Bond and he received a two years contract from Lancashire.
Fairbrother mentioned this story to Warren Hegg in an interview.
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Featured Image Credit: Southdunedain – CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized as per the need)