BROWN’S NUMBERS COME IN
I could have been an accountant, but now I’m playing for England UPBEAT WEDDLE TO END HIS WEMBLEY HOODOO
IN the crash, bang, wallop world of Twenty20 cricket, it helps if you have a head for figures.
Which is why Pat Brown could be just the man England need as they try to build a team capable of making it a 50- over and 20-over World Cup double in Australia next winter.
The Worcestershire seamer could make his England debut against New Zealand in the opening T20 of their five-match series in Christchurch on Friday.
If he does, it will crown a remarkable rise for a cricketer who was first spotted at an open day after slipping through the net as a junior.
But, if things don’t work in cricket, he won’t be short of career options elsewhere.
“This beats accountancy,” said Brown, with a smile.
“I’ve got a degree in business management, but I’m not too sure what I would have done if I hadn’t made it as a cricketer.
“I’d have probably gone down that accountancy route, which would have been pretty boring in comparison. It [a career in
ERIC WEDDLE is hoping for third time lucky when he steps out at Wembley this afternoon.
The Los Angeles Rams defender already has two bitter memories under the Wembley Arch during his 13-year career.
But having lost narrowly with San Diego against New Orleans in 2008, and then being demolished by the Jacksonville Jaguars while playing for the Baltimore Ravens two years professional cricket] looked unlikely. When I was going to trial days, being a professional cricketer wasn’t my dream. It wasn’t the be-all and end-all.
“I was just trying to be the best player I could be.
“If that was enough to be a pro, then great. If not, I wasn’t going to lose sleep about it because, at times, it seemed a long way off.”
After being picked up by Worcestershire in his late teens at a Pace Factor competition – a sort of X Factor for fast bowlers – the 21-year-old has been on a fast-track to T20 stardom.
Superb performances at successive Finals Days for Worcestershire have propelled him into England’s plans as they look to add a global T20 crown to the 50-over World Cup they won at Lords this summer.
Brown’s mix of slower balls and cutters have bamboozled batsmen in domestic cricket. And now he wants to do something similar against the Kiwis.
One thing is for sure – he won’t be fazed by the challenge, regardless of who is ready to take him on at the other end.
“It has been a pretty mad three years,” he admitted. “I was pretty ago, Weddle is upbeat about breaking his London duck today.
He won’t get a better chance than when the Rams host the Cincinnati Bengals, who have lost all seven en games this season.
And after overcoming the transatlantic flight, Weddle (right) is ready to improve the Rams record to 5-3.
He said: “We’re here and we’re ’ excited. I love playing here. I hope to get my first win in London. I’ve played here twice. Our energy was calm and chilled out about it until I got my playing kit delivered.
“I saw my name on the back of my shirt, with the Three Lions on the front.
“That’s when it hit me – ‘Oh my god, I’m going on an England tour!’ I love getting into the competitive battle.
“I love it when someone is coming all guns blazing for me – and me letting them know that I’m coming for them too.
“Bowling at the death isn’t always a pleasant experience, but I’ve got the kind of character that can cope with that pressure – it brings the best out of me.”
After thinking his chance had passed him by, Brown is clearly keen on making up for lost time. up and we have had a great practice. Sunday can’t come soon enough.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay led the team to a 33-0 victory over
Ariz Arizona at Wembley two years ag ago but doesn’t expect an e easy ride today.
He said: “Complacency has n never been an issue. There’s too many good players and coaches h in this league. No matter what the record is, when you flip on the film for the Bengals they’re a very competitive team.”