By Ram Khatry, Sydney
23 September 2016
The secretary of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club says Sandeep Lamichhane has not only proven to be a good-humoured teammate but has also exceeded all expectations of his mentors at the premier grade club. Yet, he has been in the country for only four full days!
“He is a fine young man,” said a very impressed Rick Wayde who is in charge of managing the Nepalese cricketer’s debut into the 121-year-old home club of former Australia captain Michael Clarke.
Mr Wayde told southasia.com.au that since he arrived last Monday, the Under 19 World Cup star has attended few practice sessions during which the coach and other officials of the club got “a pleasant surprise” as he demonstrated his brilliant cricketing skills. The Western Suburbs secretary indicated that judging by his performance so far Mr Lamichhane has exceeded all expectations the club had prior to his arrival in Australia and that his coach, former Tasmanian captain Mark Ray, was very happy with his performance.
Tomorrow is a history in the making so far as the cricketing journey of Mr Lamichhane is concerned. He is now part of the 2016-17 Sydney Premier Cricket season which will rock into action on September 24 with Western Suburbs taking on Mosman in a One Day round of fifty overs. The first game of the season will be held at the Allan Border Oval in Mosman (LOT 1 The Crescent).
Facing Mosman would be Michael Clarke and his “little brother” Lamichhane who got flown in from Kathmandu to play alongside the legend himself.
It is not only the bosses who are happy with Sandeep Lamichhane’s cricket. He himself is very pleased and excited at his own performance during recent practice sessions, the 16 year old confided during a quick telephone interview with southasia.com.au.
But to keep that momentum on, the young player says, he needs his community’s continued support.
“To all brothers and sisters of the Nepalese community in Australia, thank you so very much for your support so far. You have been a tremendous support. And tomorrow is a very important game for me. Please be there for me. I look forward to seeing you all in the Oval tomorrow,” the soft-spoken leg-spinner urged members of the Nepalese diaspora in Sydney.
Most importantly, he wants “lot of shouting” from his “brothers and sisters”! “Not only tomorrow, I sincerely hope you will be there to support me in all forthcoming games because without your support I could not have come this far. With your continued support, I am confident I will do good in the days to come too,” Mr Lamichhane further added.
Sandeep Lamichhane will be in Sydney until December leaving for few weeks for Asia Cup in December following which he will return to Australia to continue with the season.
Mr Wayde said Sandeep Lamichhane bowled to Alec Baldwin during Tuesday’s practice sessions when he left established players like Jono Cook and Daniel Hayes “pleasantly surprised”. It is noteworthy that Mr Baldwin is not an easy target given his score of 102 runs not out (105 balls) during a second grade match at Concord in February last year.
smtuladhar
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Prouda you Bro! Just keep up that flying momentum!