A LONG-serving Lucas Cricket Club member has passed a major team milestone.<\/p>\n
Russell Brookes played his 350th game last month, becoming the first to reach the club record.<\/p>\n
Brookes said the milestone as \u201ca great achievement\u201d and came during a game against Ballarat-Redan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe friendships I\u2019ve made are what\u2019s kept me here,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m really a one-team player.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys are great to have a drink with, and I\u2019ve seen juniors coming up who end up playing with me as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019m always looked up to by some of the junior players and I\u2019ve enjoyed the time here.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, we lost that day by about 20 runs but all-in-all, at least I got a couple wickets.<\/p>\n
With previous experience in rowing and indoor cricket, Brookes has been with the club for about 30 years.<\/p>\n
He said highlights include winning Lucas\u2019 first division one grand final against Delacombe and captaining the division two squad to their first grand final wins.<\/p>\n
As the first in the club to also reach 250, and 300 games, Brookes said he might consider slowing down at 400.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see why I should give up just now so long as I\u2019m enjoying the cricket. I might think about it at 400,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got my younger daughter playing in under 11s girls at the club so maybe there\u2019s a possibility we\u2019ll get a few games with her while the body\u2019s able.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got the most wickets. I was made a life member in 2008. I\u2019ve been president, captain, committee member, leading wicket taker and now leading games.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe younger ones who are 70 games behind me no doubt will pass me at some stage. I\u2019m happy to hold it for now while I\u2019m in front. I\u2019ve never been one for accolades.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A LONG-serving Lucas Cricket Club member has passed a major team milestone. Russell Brookes played his 350th game last month, becoming the first to reach the club record. Brookes said the milestone as \u201ca great achievement\u201d and came during a game against Ballarat-Redan. \u201cThe friendships I\u2019ve made are what\u2019s kept me here,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m […]<\/p>\n