The Inbox

November 28, 2008
Posted on 11/28/2008 in Australian Cricket
Letter to Mr. Hilditch

From Nick Wennerbom, Australia

Dear Mr. Hilditch, I wish to apply for the vacant position of Australian Test spinner following the announcement of Jason Krezja's injury and the pencilling in of Nathan Hauritz, while I assume you are perusing other resumes.

I have been involved with cricket for most of my life and believe I have the necessary attributes to contribute to the success of the team. With your recent change in selection policy to 'horses for courses', it ought be noted that I lived in Adelaide for 6 months and have visited the ground twice to watch games which makes me somewhat of a specialist for this venue.

Recently I have been sending down some useful deliveries on the industrial carpet at our office and was far too good for one of our employees, a Spanish lass named Lorena. Furthermore, I have also been bowling at Anderson Park after work on Friday afternoon where I managed to land nearly every ball on the pitch, which I understand is a pre-requisite for selection.

While I have never actually managed to ever turn a delivery, either to off or leg, I don't think this should hinder my chances as neither Cam or Nath have ever turned one either and which affords me to believe that this is no longer a requirement of an Australian Test Spinner. Another skill that I can bring to the team is my ability to get through the overs rather quickly. After bowling two overs the other day, I reverted to the short run up of one pace, where I was still able to land the ball on the cut portion of the synthetic wicket fairly consistently. This I believe will enable us to get through our 90 overs in day and as such reduce our fines.

When I was younger, my brother and I would often get through 152 overs in the backyard after school until Mum had dinner ready. I also have a Certificate IV in workplace training and assessing, and as a qualified trainer I am willing to put in some overtime to provide some assistance to Mr. Ponting in this regard. My movements in the field have been referred to as gazelle-like by myself and I am confident that I would stop most balls hit directly at me and a reasonable portion of those a metre or so either side of me as well.

As a part time umpire, I am well versed in the tactics of intimidation and this coupled with my recent foray into acting as an extra in a TV ad, leaves me with no doubt that I would be convincing and melodramatic on camera whenever things don't go my way. During my umpiring career I once received some invaluable advice from Stuey Macgill who told me all I had to do was "f***ing well watch and listen" advise that I am more that willing to pass onto Rudi or Billy Bowden during my first spell. As an added bonus I have a short temper and swear profusely - an attribute my work colleagues and manager could attest to and one which surely will enable me to fit in with your organisation's culture with a minimum of fuss.

There are some areas of my game that I need to work on such as my batting and although I was unlucky, I managed to get dismissed via every method possible last Friday in the dozen or so balls I faced. However, with the strength of our 1-10 in the batting order, I don't see this as a major issue. Besides, like for like, Chris Martin is only marginally more adept than me and I can't see this as being a major obstacle to my pending selection. As for my personable attributes, I believe that I have always been a pretty good bloke and have always made myself available for drinks on a Friday afternoon with my teammates from work - although it is to be noted, I have never gotten into a fight at the pub, and I wouldn't drink on match days if that was a requirement.

Would you be kind enough to advise me ASAP of your decision, as I need 24 hours notice to tell my boss Sue-Anne that I would be unavailable till Wednesday, However I do have 30 days annual leave up my sleeve and as such I can avail myself for Perth Melbourne and Sydney Tests as well. I look forward to discussing this further at an interview; if you wish and I can get referees from some of the guys at work upon request. Yours Sincerely

Comments (25)
Posted by: daffy at November 28, 2008 5:21 AM

That was a good one Nick :)
You forgot to mention fishing in your piece. Digger will be interested in that, dont you think??

Posted by: Hariharan at November 28, 2008 6:28 AM

Nice one Nick.

Maybe one more claim you could have made was that at the least, your name sounds ridiculously close to a manner of dismissal. Closer than any of your spinners have gotten to dismissing their opponents.

Posted by: Rejoy at November 28, 2008 6:33 AM

Hilarious! Laughed my guts off which, sitting in India, is very hard to do these days (thanks to the disgusting Mumbai attacks)! Thanks for the post.

Posted by: Farooq at November 28, 2008 7:22 AM

That was brilliant! Absolutely amazing with great wit and commentary. Thoroughly enjoyed the bits about the over rate and the ability to turn the ball. Keep it up!

Posted by: Angi at November 28, 2008 7:27 AM

Brilliant!! Absoulutely HOWLARIOUS! Funniest read I've had in a long time.

Posted by: KR Sriram at November 28, 2008 7:41 AM

Nick,
Absolutely brilliant. A copy of this letter could be marked to Mr. Ponting too.

Posted by: surya at November 28, 2008 7:57 AM

Naughty Nick...
It is really nice to read a sarcastic piece....
Way to go nick..

Posted by: SR at November 28, 2008 8:04 AM

Absolute beauty!
Only point missed out was helping puter will the toss for once..

Posted by: Srinivas,K at November 28, 2008 8:29 AM

Nice one mate...

Posted by: Jay at November 28, 2008 9:09 AM

Genius mate, absolutely genius!.

Posted by: Krishna at November 28, 2008 10:11 AM

A 'blog' to rival(?) Andy's! That's an accolade. Now, if you do not succeed in satisfying CA, please try to get into the commentary box along with the majority of recent retirees. Our days will be made.

Posted by: Abhay at November 28, 2008 4:05 PM

too hilarious the post :)).... nice change from the mumbai attaks...

Posted by: Ram at November 28, 2008 4:48 PM

Killed me, mate! Killed me.

Posted by: Kumar at November 28, 2008 6:29 PM

freaking fabulous man...that was just on the nose...

Posted by: mat the bat at November 28, 2008 10:19 PM

if you can provide medical proof of sound ankles then i'd say the job's yours...

Posted by: இழிச்சவாயன் at November 29, 2008 1:43 AM

absolutely hilarious!
you can be a pro!

Posted by: Param at November 29, 2008 6:55 AM

"My movements in the field have been referred to as gazelle-like by myself"... LOL

I read the blog twice... I dont think I've ever done that.

Posted by: Khurram at November 29, 2008 2:01 PM

so funny, keep it coming, lol

Posted by: Jen at November 29, 2008 6:19 PM

An absolute jaffa!!

Posted by: CRICINFO at November 30, 2008 2:01 AM

NICK, THE EDITOR OF CRICINFO WOULD LIKE YOU TO WRITE FOR US REGULARLY. COULD YOU PLEASE SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. THE WAY TO DO IT IS SEND IT THROUGH THE 'SUBMIT YOUR PIECE' LINK. I'LL TAKE IT FROM THERE. CHEERS, CRICINFO.

Posted by: Sue-Anne at December 1, 2008 12:04 AM

Dear Nick, as the afore mentioned manager in your blog, I see your talents and ambitions lay elsewhere. I'd be more than happy to be your referee (or should that be umpire) for any positions you may be applying for! Only joking, very funny - Sue-Anne

Posted by: Vipul Gupta at December 1, 2008 3:32 AM

Great one mate! This is easily one of the wittiest pieces I have read in recent times. Keep it up!

Posted by: Ravinder Khakh at December 1, 2008 6:28 AM

"While I have never actually managed to ever turn a delivery, either to off or leg, I don't think this should hinder my chances as neither Cam or Nath have ever turned one either and which affords me to believe that this is no longer a requirement of an Australian Test Spinner" hahaha dude, this was very funny!! I can't stop laughing. Keep the good work up PLEASE!!

Posted by: Cinagian at December 1, 2008 10:17 AM

Excellent work Nick. Every line was worth reading multiple times. Looking forward to reading more from you.

Posted by: aman at December 1, 2008 12:58 PM

just simmply great man. i can call it a piece of art by you. certainly with the fast pace that aussies are traveling in the spin department of the game i have full confident in your ability and you temperament and the allround qualities that you have mentioned that you will soon recieve a call for national duty in cricket field as for the selection on nathan is the indication of situation of crisis even jason has also got limited talent. it was great fun dude reading to the letter. keep the good work up and keep trying you may just get a call

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