Almanac cricket: When you meet your hero

 

 

 

There is always that one standout sporting figure from your childhood. That figure who you want to be when you are at that impressionable age and falling in love with the game. That first poster on the wall. Last Wednesday, on a non-descript stroll down the main strip of Coogee I came face to face with that figure – The man simply known as AB.

 

At 45 years of age I don’t get starstruck anymore. It is fair to say if Pat Cummins was on the other side of the street I wouldn’t cross over to say g’day. That’s not to say I don’t respect Pat or the position he holds in the game I love, rather, an acknowledgement that I’m 20 years his senior and would rather let him just go about his day and not make a goose out of myself.

 

AB was, and is, different to me, and I suspect all other balding, pot belly cricket warriors in their 40s who grew up in the 1980s and knew with 103% certainty that if AB got out cheaply Australia was stuffed. A time when everyone drove a Commodore or Falcon, Cassette Tapes were cutting edge, The Poms flogged us and we struggled to even beat New Zealand.

 

It seemed like the West Indies toured every 3 months. At one end the wickets would fall, while at the other this short stocky chap with a mo and granite like resolve just took them on the body then cut, pulled and punched down the ground this production line of 4 Windies quicks on rotation. AB was just at a different level to the other Aussies and you could not help but admire his skill, determination and ability. As a kid there was no one else to be in the backyard battles.

 

I suspected the xxxx he drunk must have been some magic like potion that enabled you to average over 50. I wanted an AB 5 Star and that helmet with ear guards and no grill. I mean what sort of weak prick needs a grill on their helmet when facing Patrick Patterson at Sabina Park?

 

AB just taught you to dig in, hold your ground and NEVER give in. Qualities for cricket and life at times.

 

While up in Coogee on holiday from Melbourne I was just waiting for Mrs D and my young son 8 year old Harry to finish up some shopping and then AB appeared on his stroll. I instantly went from a coherent 45-year-old public servant to a starstruck kid. I started waving and dancing like Peter Garrett 18 songs into an Oils concert at Mrs D to get her attention so that she could take a photo with AB and me for posterity. Mrs D came scurrying out fearing I was having a Heart Attack.

 

Mrs D had not even seen this level of nervousness on our Wedding day, so was slightly deflated when she grasped what was going on. Not the first time, nor the last, this will happen.

 

AB was now but a cricket pitch away. My limbs wanted to stride with purpose to meet him mid pitch but I was stuck deep in the popping crease like Rodney Hogg facing Michael Holding. Eventually, we caught glances and I mumbled out a request for a photo please Allan.

 

No worries said AB. Perhaps, comforted in the fact that this weird looking bloke who had been parading around like a distressed Emu seconds earlier, had intended him no harm.

 

As Mrs D took the photo I was able to impart such an indepth and probing conversation starter as:
“Allan, I was at the SCG and saw your name on the Honor Board for taking seven wickets today?”
Didn’t leave AB anywhere to go with that one other than a quick, “yep thanks mate.”

 

My mind had so many questions but I just couldn’t get them out. I froze like that night in 1999 in Canberra when that stunning lass who I had met on the dancefloor, and who I can only recall in memory as being more attractive than Maria Sharapova, invited me into her car for a trip to her apartment (which I suspect wasn’t to have a coffee) only to stand bolt upright stunned in silence for 10 seconds wondering why me? The moment passed 25 years ago but the regret lingers like it was yesterday.

 

As AB made his way down the street I cursed myself. I would have loved to have asked more questions. An opportunity to ask what advice would he give my young Harry on how to Bat? That advice would certainly carry more weight than his Dads 11.64 batting average.

 

Best bowler AB ever faced? Yes, it’s a drip tray type question but I would love to know who he had at the top? Perhaps Malcolm Marshall?

 

I would have loved to have simply been coherent enough to thank AB for being the inspiration that helped light my fire of love for cricket as an 8 year old. Perhaps, that would have been nice for AB to hear. Perhaps he gets stopped in the street every day and hears it and the effect has worn off over the last 40 years?

 

My moment was fleeting but at least I had it.

 

The postscript to our brief encounter being when I picked up the papers a few days later to see that Allan has been fighting Parkinson’s disease for several years. I had for a while suspected AB was crook but it was really tough to read and accept that this giant and loved figure from my childhood was crook. My heart goes out to Allan and his family, and all the other Australians in a similar position.

 

It made me think about our interaction a few days earlier. With details of his battle about to go public I suspect AB had a lot on his mind, yet in our moment he was nothing but polite and genuine. This speaks volumes of the man that AB is.

 

I can offer nothing but my best wishes. I get the feeling that AB is not the type who wants people feeling sorry for him, rather a bloke that will roll up his sleeves and get on with life.

 

Some people say don’t meet your heroes, but I am glad I met mine and he measured up and exceeded expectations. AB THANK YOU and all the best.

 

 

More from Craig Dodson can be read Here.

 

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE