WC 2015: Like father like son, it’s a family affair Down Under!
Mumbai: The ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is proving to be an exciting one with nervous matches, unexpected results and extreme chants and cheers from fans who have descended both in Australia and New Zealand. This edition of the World Cup is more of like a family affair for some and gen-next have lived up to their father’s reputation.
Like father, like son!
When Mitchell Marsh stunned England with a five-wicket haul in co-hosts Australia's 111-run thrashing of England in their opening World Cup match it represented the latest chapter in a remarkable family history.
Saturday's match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was Marsh's World Cup debut and his return came 28 years after his father, Geoff Marsh, marked his first match in the tournament with a hundred against India at Chennai.
Australia went on to win the 1987 World Cup, with opener Marsh a mainstay of the side. Marsh's eldest son, Shaun, a batsman, has also followed him into the international arena and just missed out on selection for Australia's squad.
(Photo: AP/AFP/DC/File)
After presenting Mitchell with his prized 'baggy green' cap, Marsh joked "speak to my wife, we should have kept going!" as he confirmed his own personal production line of international cricketers was at an end.
Marsh is not the only player at this World Cup looking to emulate his father by lifting the trophy. Medium-pacer Roger Binny was one of the stars of India's shock success in winning the 1983 World Cup.
Check: ICC World Cup 2015: Can Stuart Binny do a Roger now?
Not only is his son Stuart a bowler of similar type, but Roger Binny is now a member of India's selection panel and, inevitably, there have been accusations of nepotism. However, India great Sunil Gavaskar insisted such charges were wide of the mark.
(Photo: AFP/PTI/DC/File)
Brothers in arms!
New Zealand's McCullum brothers, Brendon and Nathan will be looking to emulate the Aussie Waugh brothers, Mark and Steve at this World Cup, although off-spinner Nathan will need to force his way past Daniel Vettori if he is to join skipper Brendon in the Black Caps' side.
(Photo: AFP)
Meanwhile Ireland's O'Briens, Niall and Kevin, are seasoned World Cup campaigners. Four years ago, Kevin carved out his own place in cricket history with the fastest-ever World Cup hundred, scoring 113 off just 63 balls as Ireland recorded a stunning win over England while Niall made an unbeaten fifty against the Netherlands.
(Photo: ICC)
They missed it!
Pakistan and the West Indies could have also had the opportunity to feature a family in their team. Pakistan wicketkeeper Umar Akmal succeeded his brother Kamran after the latter was dropped from the team, but hopes to make a comeback again.
(Photo: AP)
West Indies duo of Darren and his half-brother Dwayne Bravo could also have featured in the side but the exclusion of Dwayne along with Kieron Pollard led to claims of victimisation specially against the backdrop of the players’ role in the abandoned tour of India last October.
Check: Goodbye: Dwayne Bravo bids adieu to Test cricket
Check: Ridiculous to keep Dwayne Bravo, Pollard out of WC team: Chris Gayle
(Photo: AFP)
Uncle’s not with me!
If that’s not convincing enough this next story should clear all your doubts. There’s a famous adage that goes, ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ A family can sometimes be your opponent too and that’s the exact case for two members of the Simmons' family, who found themselves in opposition on Monday with Lendl playing for the West Indies against an Ireland team coached by uncle Phil, himself a former West Indies batsman. Phil Simmons, having seen Ireland reduced the West Indies to 87 for five, then had to witness his nephew make a brilliant hundred as his old side piled up a commanding 304 for seven at Nelson's Saxton Oval.
(Photo: AFP/AP/DC/File)
