‘taken aback’ by recognition
LINDSAY BREEN is a gracious host.
When the Otago Country Cricket Association needed somewhere to hold their meetings, he suggested his office. That was 13 years ago and they haven’t left. Perhaps he should stop filling up the fridge with beer?
That sort of sums up the 49yearold. He makes sure the little things get done and his large contribution has not gone unnoticed.
The longserving committee member was made a life member of the Otago Country Cricket Association at its annual general meeting late last month.
Perhaps it was the beer? More likely it was all those jobs he gets through.
Like when the sight screens need painting between the limitedovers and firstclass games, or when some scaffolding miraculously appears just when it is needed.
Arguably his biggest contribution has been the work he has done in tandem with former Otago and New Zealand leftarmer Shayne O’Connor. For more than a decade the pair have helped deliver elite cricket at Molyneux Park and laboured tirelessly to ensure the venue does not drop off the schedule.
Molyneux Park had a rough stint for a period. It lost its New Zealand Cricket warrant of fitness after the 200809 season and it was withdrawn again in 2011.
But Breen and O’Connor, and the likes of OCA chairman Malcolm Jones, kept pushing for games.
It was Jones who nominated Breen for life membership and who outed him about the beer.
‘‘It was a very nice surprise,’’ Breen said. ‘‘I was a wee bit taken back at the meeting. I did not say too much.
‘‘I am very proud of helping to deliver those local games and to help keep cricket in Alex.’’
Breen, who has been a committee member for 13 years, grew up in the area and took to cricket from a young age. He scored a huge century at the South Island Primary School tournament.
It was record which stood for many years.
He went on to play for and captain the Otago Country Hawke Cup team and also had a stint in the Otago side.
Breen made his debut aged 18 in a onedayer against Central Districts in Levin in December 1991.
‘‘I failed measurably and got a bit of a break,’’ he joked.
He was bowled for a golden duck and waited two years for another shot. Mike Pawson got him out cheaply again.
But his highlight was scoring a century at his beloved Molyneux Park against a New Zealand Academy team which had an attack featuring the likes of Dion Nash, Heath Davis and Mark Haslam.
Breen embraces every opportunity to watch and host cricket at the venue and will be busy again this summer.
Molyneux Park will host four twenty20 matches during the period between Christmas and the new year this season. It is very likely a firstclass game will also be played at the ground this season.
‘‘I’m really happy with that. We’ve just done a new wicket. There was a bit of criticism of the old one.
‘‘But we have a new one. It will be peppy, no doubt.’’