In the first in the series of profiles revealing what and who makes us enjoy playing or watching cricket, it’s club captain Mark Lavelle who steps up to give his responses.
Players or past players can give us their take on the sport, at Calmore Sports or otherwise – so please answer the 18 questions and email richard@calmoresports.co.uk.
Name: Mark Lavelle
Nickname(s): Lav, Lavver, Chick
What sparked your interest in cricket: Watching Dad play down the old ground and getting involved at school
Do you prefer the T20, 50-over, county or Test format of the game: Cannot beat Test cricket!
Cricketing hero: Shane Warne
Favourite current (professional) player: Ben Stokes
Most admired/best player you have played with: Michael Wallace and Paul Cass
Most formidable opponent: Suman Ganguly (Liphook), Barney Hayes (Romsey)
Who would you most like to be isolated with from Calmore Sports – and who wouldn’t you: Jack Rutter I would, Sam Vidler I wouldn’t!
Favourite away ground: Ventnor
Favourite/most memorable match you’ve played in: Hampshire Academy super over win
Personal highlight/champagne moment: 8/17 at Tichborne Park in the 2017 title winning season
Funniest moment/s in cricket: Prouders saluting a standing ovation against the Academy & winning Division 1 in 2017 despite not training all season #AreWeSafeYet
Best way to relax after the game: Beers with the whole club upon returning to Loperwood.
Do/did you have any cricketing superstitions: Same socks (washed!) the week after a win, right pad on first, lap after the 1st over is bowled.
What will you miss most in cricket during this enforced break: playing with your mates and having a laugh on a Saturday, nothing better! And seeing what Tesco meal deal Johnser turns up with!
Is there anything you’d change about the game: No money spent on players by anyone in grassroots, hard to prove or change but I can dream!
If you could invite 3 cricketing celebrities (players, presenters, commentators) round for dinner, who would they be and why: Stokes, Flintoff, Gayle – plenty of stories!
