When ANU Cricket Club players Eric Bell and Lachie Simpson both received calls from ACT Comets Head Coach Jono Dean last week, the last thing they were expecting was to be told they’d be 12th and 13th men for the Prime Minister’s XI squad to play Pakistan in December.
Funnily enough, both the boys were at club training and missed Dean’s initial call. When they called back, they got the shock of their lives.
The news has been celebrated by both Bell and Simpson’s teammates, family and the broader Canberra cricket community.
A tremendous start to the ACT Premier Cricket season saw ANU win their first six games straight, and another win on the weekend has them sitting pretty in the First Grade standings. The call-ups for Bell and Simpson reward some outstanding performances to date this season.
Opening batter Bell made a brilliant 182 from 164 balls against Wests earlier in the season, while as well as taking a bagful of wickets, allrounder Simpson posted his first ton in Canberra a few weeks later, finishing unbeaten on 159 against Queanbeyan.
“I’m grateful and appreciative,” said Eric Bell when asked about that magic phone call.
Bell is looking forward to training with the side prior to match day and is ready to ask lots of questions of the likes of Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw and soak up all of the knowledge he possibly can.
“I'm hoping to just learn from them,” Bell said.
“There's some serious high-profile players in the group and all of them are well established and professional cricketers, so it'll be excellent to see how they go about their business.”
Lachie Simpson said he was over the moon to receive the call-up, and the news travelled quickly in his home state of WA.
“I’ve grown up watching the PM’s XI every year,” he said.
When asked what he’s hoping to get out of being in and around the team his objectives are clear.
“Firstly Todd Murphy; I'd love to spend a bit of time with him. Bowl a bit with him. Obviously, I watched him in India... he's just so talented. I'd just love to take everything I can from him.
“Cameron Green; I went to school with him in Perth. He's a few years older than me. My brother played a lot with him, and I've played against him ever since, really.
“So just even getting back on terms with him, chatting to him, advice from him as a tall batsman. I'm sure he'll have some wise words from all of his experiences.
“And then hopefully take a catch, not drop one! But really I just want to soak it all in.”
We wish both of the boys the best of luck when they step out with the PM’s XI from 6–10 December at Manuka Oval.
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Article by Brett McKay