Sport

PROFILE: CHRIS WHELAN

CATCHING UP WITH ONE OF CRICKET’S YOUNG STARS

David Naylor

For those of you who don’t know, Chris Whelan announced himself into the world of cricket at the tender age of 18, making his first class debut for Middlesex county cricket club in 2005. Since then, although the right-arm medium pace bowler has been kept out of the reckoning for first team action due to injury, it is clear he is tipped for stardom in the future.

Indeed, his potential has already been recognised in the plaudits he has received from fellow cricketers across the country. He made an instant impression for Middlesex taking seven wickets in the two games he played, and won the Merseyside Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005; quite an achievement in a city so dominated by football.

This winter Whelan has moved on to further his career at Worcestershire where they are acutely aware of his ability. Director of Cricket at Worcestershire Steve Rhodes clearly believes the plaudits are deserved: “I have been aware of Christopher’s talent for a couple of years now and am delighted that we have been able to sign such a young talent who I believe has a good future ahead of him.”

Liverpool does not usually produce cricketers, with many budding sportsmen favouring the more popular sports of rugby and football. A product of St. Margaret’s High School in Aigburth, he is the second recognized sportsman to come out of the establishment in recent years along with former footballer Gary Ablett. However, for the sake of cricket in this part of the country it would be quite an achievement if Whelan pushes football out of the way for once and keeps rising to national recognition and beyond.

60 seconds with Chris Whelan…

Nickname? Wheelo, Crick.

Club supported as a boy? Lancashire

Strengths? I can bowl the speed of light.

Weaknesses? I can be very impatient.

I’m a bit like… Stuart Broad.

Highlights: Playing at lords.

Lowlights: Getting stick from own supporters!!

Best player played against? Kevin Pietersen.

Best player played with? Owais Shah.

Biggest Influence? Chris Silverwood.

Best advice you’ve been given? Be generous, it’s no good being the richest man in the cemetery!

Biggest practical joker at the club? David Nash.

Flicks? Saving Private Ryan, Transporters, Hitch.

Chicks? Lots haha but only one right now, Vic!!!!

If I hadn’t been a cricketer… Probably working in MacDonald’s by now…

Tell us something we don’t know about you… I can eat an orange whole!

With my first pay packet I bought… Probably some terrible clothes…

If I could play alongside any player… Freddie Flintoff.

Most embarrassing moment… Playing on the telly after getting the worst haircut I ever had!!

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