Hemal preparing for his biggest innings
CRICKET: Only something extra special could come between Hemal Shah and his beloved cricket.
And besides, University needs him on board as it push for top honours in this season’s TCI two-day competition.
But Shah will have one of the best reasons of all time to miss the early on-field action when play resumes after the festive break.
He will be celebrating a traditional three-day wedding in his native India with his bride Namisha among family and friends including his Toowoomba cricket mentor Tony Apelt.
Shah and his Malaysian-Indian wife were matched on a matrimonial website earlier this year before exchanging vows during a civil ceremony in Toowoomba.
The Indian marriage is the next step in their new life which includes returning to Toowoomba next month to live.
On their return they plan to host an informal marriage celebration with friends and Uni cricket club members.
Shah was a promising Zone player in India before moving 10 years ago to Australia and becoming an Aussie citizen two years ago.
He obtained a Master of Science degree at the USQ, specialising in agricultural science and horticulture.
Like so many of his former countrymen, Shah has a burning passion for cricket which helped lead to his friendship with Apelt — a Uni club life member.
“Both my boys played A grade cricket with Hemal and I got to know him doing pitch curating work together,” Apelt said.
“He studies hard and is cricket mad.
“I’ve developed a good friendship with him and I do whatever I can to help him in his cricket and in life.
“My family and I are both looking forward to visiting India and experiencing Hemal and Namisha’s full traditional wedding.”
Hemal has scored almost 400 runs during the first half of Uni’s season and he attributes much of his successful new life in Australia to his bond with Toowoomba cricket.
“Studying at USQ completely changed my life,” Shah said.
❝ But Namisha and I are looking forward to returning to our life in Toowoomba. — Hemal Shah
“And the Uni cricket club has been great to me.
“Through the mateship and support of the club I’m very proud to say how I’ve fitted into the Aussie culture after the first couple of years.
“We will be having our honeymoon in Mauritius and I will probably miss a couple of games in the new year.
“But Namisha and I are looking forward to returning to our life in Toowoomba.”