ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
A local father of two has today declared his cricketing ambitions are no longer rooted in fantasy after seeing batting all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne’s bowling efforts in the first Test against India.
Brad McIntyre, 35, from Betoota Heights, made the bold claim during smoko this morning at his job managing the loading dock at the Betoota Home & Garden Warehouse.
McIntyre, who captains the Gelded Seahorse Hotel’s third-grade side in the Remienko Shield, admits that while his cricketing career peaked with a hat-trick in 2007, yesterday’s events have reignited the dream.
“Mate, if Marnus can lob those half-trackers at 130 clicks in a baggy green, then there’s no reason why I couldn’t,” McIntyre said, smoking.
“It’s not like I’m that far off. Sure, I’ve got a bit of a dad bod now, and the back’s been crook since I put the old Nimbus on it’s roof coming home from the Christmas Party last year. But I’ve still got the arm, mate. I’ve been working on a variation of the slower ball in the nets.”
Despite only bowling four overs for 26 runs in last weekend’s match against the South Betoota Polytechnic College Paddy Melons, McIntyre maintains his performance is on par with Australia’s premier medium pacer.
His wife, Courtney, remains skeptical of his potential for a late cricketing career.
“Brad needs to wear a nicotine patch just to get through the afternoon session,” she said.
“Clive Palmer could beat him up some steps at this rate. But I agree with everything he says.”
More to come.
