Monday 21 November 2016

Newcastle Cricket scene receives celebrity signing

BY TYLER FARDELL

Local fifth division cricket side the Bennet Hotel Centurions have made the signing of a lifetime after meeting up with cricket legend Brian Lara last Friday.

The West Indian batsman and ICC hall of fame member was in the Hunter for a number of scheduled appearances, and probably wasn't expecting to be approached with a contract.

Members of the Centurions approached Mr Lara at the Albion Hotel in Wickham on Friday and handed him a contract and took a photo.

Centurions player Darren Wilton says the cricketing legend was happy to have a laugh with the team.

"He signed it and took it in the nature that it was intended".

The nature intended was obviously a friendly joke, as Mr Lara was reported to have joked "What time do we play tomorrow?" after signing the contract.

It remains to be seen if he'll ever play a lower grade game in Newcastle, leaving many cricket fans in the area disappointed.

Brian Lara
Photo courtesy of News Republica