No one took more pleasure than Fantasy Bob in the performance of Leigh Kasperek for New Zealand in last Friday's match against England. Leigh's 5fer was a huge contribution to her team's victory and showed again why she is so highly rated. She was ranked second in the ICC bowling rankings in women's T20 cricket last year.
Leigh is one of FB's all time sporting heroes. He and Leigh first appeared in the colours of go-ahead Edinburgh club Carlton many years ago. Leigh, then a teenager, was, FB thinks, the first woman to appear for the club, an innovation on which the club has successfully built. By contrast FB, then something a bit older than a teenager but not quite a pensioner, was the first Fantasy Bob to appear for the club, an innovation that they would like to forget.
Since they first appeared together, Leigh has followed FB's burgeoning career with interest. And on her occasional visits to her native City she will always visit the club. She is forever happy to turn out, even if it means being subject to FB's peculiar approach to captaincy. Despite that and the evident gulf in class, she always gives her all and plays with a smile on her face. She's a gem.
Sadly, CricInfo gives no indication of these appearances in their portrait of Leigh - there are mentions of Scotland, Essex, New Zealand and many other sides less prestigious than FB's own Carlton Positively 4th XI (the only cricket team in world named after a song by Bob Dylan).
Readers may therefore think that FB is having them on - surely no international player has played with FB. But the documentary and photographic evidence cannot be disputed.
Readers will recognise this photograph.
Remove the cropping will reveal
Leigh has just made a sparkling 70. FB is striding to the crease and will make an equally sparkling 0.
Neither does CricInfo mention Leigh's legendary homemade pancakes - always a treat on the tea table and something which would justify her selection alone.
Well done Leigh. What a bright star you are. There's always a place for you in FB's team.
The former WFDG tells me that he wholeheartedly endorses FB's comments; and that he is continually amazed that she always has time for a chat with him when she visits GL even though he never had the privilege of playing in the same side as her.
ReplyDeleteA lovely wee article Bob. Carlton are privileged to have both you and Leigh as two such committed Carlton people who in their different ways have made the club a much better place.
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