Men of Cricket
Shaun Tait
Twelve Australian team members are set to sizzle in this year’s calendar with Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Graham Manou, Tim Paine, Shaun Tait and Shane Watson all participating as part of Cricket Australia’s Cricket Cares initiative.
Graham Manou
Each of the ‘Men of Cricket’ gave their time in aid of the McGrath Foundation, with all proceeds from the calendar contributing towards the placement of McGrath Breast Care Nurses nationally and increasing breast cancer awareness among younger women in Australia.
Last summer, 3 mobile was bowled over by the success of the inaugural calendar which became hot property and helped 3 mobile and Cricket Australia raise $50,000 for the McGrath Foundation through sales of the calendar alone.
Commenting on the calendar, Glenn McGrath, Co-Founder and Chairman for the McGrath Foundation and Australian cricket legend, said he continued to be impressed by the guys’ willingness to get involved with the project. “There’s no doubt that when you’re travelling as a team there is an amazing sense of family among the guys but I’m blown away that everyone continues to offer so much support to the McGrath Foundation.
“Yet again this year everyone at the McGrath Foundation is really impressed by the boy’s physique. No doubt Watto wouldn’t have been shy in putting his name on the list but I’m super impressed Kato backed up again. He was certainly popular with the girls last year!” said Glenn.
Internationally renowned celebrity photographer Simon Upton said he was impressed by the players’ relaxed attitudes at the photo shoot. “The guys definitely aren’t camera shy! They were right into the spirit of the calendar, really relaxed and comfortable in front of the lens. We had a lot of great pictures to choose from.”
As the sponsor of the 3 mobile Test Series, Nigel Dews, VHA CEO said; “Last year’s calendar created a lot of buzz and excitement and we’re so proud of its success. It’s the perfect way for us to combine 3 mobile’s dedication to cricket and the McGrath Foundation.”
The 3 mobile Men of Cricket calendar 2010 is part of 3 mobiles ‘Pink Zinc’ campaign which features a number of fund raising activities across the 3 mobile Test Series with 3 donating all proceeds to the McGrath Foundation. Here’s how you can show your support:
Purchase the 3 mobile Men of Cricket calendar priced $29.95 from 19th October at 3 mobile stores, online via 3’s dedicated website www.three.com.au/menofcricket and at 3 mobile Test Series matches.
Purchase Pink Zinc sun cream for a gold coin donation at the 3 mobile Test Series or at your nearest 3 store
Or simply text PINK to 19 33 63 to make a $3 donation to the McGrath Foundation *T&Cs apply
Get to know the Aussie cricketers who are set to sizzle in the 3 mobile Men of Cricket calendar
Shane Watson (Mr January)
Born: June 17, 1981
State: Queensland
Right-hand bat
Right-arm fast-medium
Test cap number: 391
One-day number: 148
Quick singles
Twenty20™ nickname: “Watto”
My ideal holiday destination is: South of France
Best Advice I’ve ever received is: Have no regrets
The meal/food I am best at cooking is: Spaghetti and meatballs
When I was eight years old I wanted to be: An Australian cricketer
My favourite way to relax away from cricket is: Go to the beach and listen to music
My worst habit is: Biting my nails
My sporting (non-cricket) hero is: Lance Armstrong
Mitchell Johnson (Mr February)
Born: November 2, 1981
State: Western Australia
Left-hand bat
Left-arm fast-medium
Test cap number: 398
One-day number: 156
Quick singles
My ideal holiday destination: Greece
Best Advice I’ve ever received: Go out and give it your best, that’s all you can do, and then you can have no regrets
The meal/food I am best at cooking: Chicken Pasta
When I was eight years old I wanted to be: A soccer player
My favourite way to relax away from cricket: I love going to the beach
My worst habit: Chewing my nails
My sporting (non-cricket) hero: Muhammad Ali and Pete Sampras
Shaun Tait (Mr March)
Born: February 22, 1983
State: South Australia
Right-hand bat
Right-arm fast
Test cap number: 392
One-day number: 162
Quick singles
Twenty 20™ Nickname: Sloon
My ideal holiday destination is: Greece/Greek Islands
Best advice I’ve ever received is: You only get so far with natural ability. The rest is hard work.
Meal/food I am best at cooking is: BBQ
When I was 8 years old I wanted to be: An Australian cricketer
My favourite way to relax away from cricket is: Relaxing at home with friends
My worst habit is: Swearing in public
My sporting (non-cricket) hero is: Shaquille O’Neal
Tim Paine (Mr April)
Born: December 8, 1984
Club: University
Right-hand bat
Wicket-keeper
Height: 180cm
Weight: 78kg
First-class debut: v WA, 2005-06
Quick singles
What posters were in your room as a child: Warwick Capper
Who makes you laugh the most: Michael Dighton
What talent do you wish you had: To make people laugh
What do you sing in the shower: Spandau Ballet
Favourite sandwich filling: Any from the BelleriveOval change rooms
Favourite place: Anywhere in Australia celebrating a TasmanianTigers win
Callum Ferguson (Mr May)
Born: November 21, 1984
Club: Prospect District
Right-hand bat
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75kg
First-class debut: v VIC, 2004-05
Quick singles
What posters were in your room as a child: Daniela Hantuchova and Mohammad Ali teaching Sonny Liston a lesson
Who makes you laugh the most: Tom Plant
What talent do you wish you had: A serve like ‘Pistol’ Pete Sampras, and predicting the stock market
What do you sing in the shower: You give love a bad name (Sex Shooter)
Favourite sandwich filling: Chicken, lettuce, tomato and mayo
Favourite place: A week in Coffin Bay fishing for King George Whiting with the boys
Graham Manou (Mr June)
Born: April 23, 1979
Club: Northern Districts
Right-hand bat
Wicket-keeper
Height: 181cm
Weight: 85kg
First-class debut: v VIC, 1999-2000
Quick singles
What posters were in your room as a child: Posters of Liverpool and John Barnes
Who makes you laugh the most: Napoleon Dynamite
What talent do you wish you had: To hit a golf ball as well as Tiger Woods
What do you sing in the shower: I whistle the last song I heard on the radio
Favourite sandwich filling: Chicken
Favourite place: Channel Point, Darwin
James Hopes (Mr July)
Born: October 24, 1978
State: Queensland
Right-hand bat
Right-arm fast-medium
Test cap number: –
One-day number: 151
Quick Singles
Twenty20™ nickname: “Catfish”
My ideal holiday destination is: Hawaii
Best Advice I’ve ever received is: Trust yourself
The meal/food I am best at cooking is: Roast Beef - and when I’m feeling adventurous, I do the vegetables
When I was eight years old I wanted to be: A truck driver
My favourite way to relax away from cricket is: Golf
My worst habit is: I’m easily distracted
My sporting (non-cricket) hero is: Lance Armstrong
Nathan Bracken (Mr August)
Born: September 12, 1977
State: New South Wales
Right-hand bat
Left-arm fast-medium
Test cap number: 387
One-day number: 142
Quick singles
Twenty20™ nickname: Andy G
My Ideal holiday destination is: Las Vegas
Best advice I’ve ever received is: Enjoy yourself
The meal/food I am best at cooking is: Chicken stir fry
When I was 8-years-old I wanted to be: A cricketer
My favourite way to relax away from cricket is: Spend time with my wife and animals
My worst habit is: Being untidy
My sporting (non-cricket) hero is: Michael Jordan
Brett Geeves (Mr September)
Born: 13/06/1982
Club: Glenorchy
Height: 185
Weight: 88
First Class Debut: v WA 2004/05
Quick singles
What are you scared of? The dark still gets me. Spiders
Which sports teams do you support? Hawthorn, Dallas Mavericks and the Glenorchy Footy Club
What’s currently on your iPod? Springsteen, Ray LaMontagne, Gomez, Blind Faith (Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton).
The happiest moment in your life? Watching the Hawks win the 2008 Grand Final from the Australian Consulate in Delhi
Which city in the world is your favourite and why? There is no city like home – Hobart
Simon Katich (Mr October)
Born: August 21, 1975
Club: Randwick-Petersham
Left-hand bat
Slow left-arm wrist spinner
Height: 182cm
Weight: 80kg
Test cap number: 384
One-day number: 143
Quick singles
My last meal would be: A buffet
My motto for life is: Have fun
Favourite sport other than cricket: Australian Rules Football
When I retire I will be: An old man
In my spare time I like to: Cook
Three words that describe me: Relaxed, aggressive, persistent
Nathan Hauritz (Mr November)
Born: October 8, 1981
Club: Randwick-Petersham
Right-hand bat
Right-arm off-spinner
Height: 181cm
Weight: 82kg
Test Cap Number: 390
ODI Cap Number: 147
Quick singles
What posters were in your room as a child: David Boon
Who makes you laugh the most: Doug Heffernan
What talent do you wish you had: Creativity
Favourite sandwich filling: Chicken and salad
Favourite place: Fraser Island
Ben Hilfenhaus (Mr December)
Born: March 15, 1983
State: Tasmania
Right-hand bat
Right-arm fast-medium
Test cap number: 407
One-day cap number: 161
Quick Singles
Twenty20™ nickname: Hilfy
My Ideal holiday destination is: Whitsunday’s
Best advice I’ve ever received is: Work hard and be good to your mother
The meal/food I am best at cooking is: Green Chicken Curry
When I was 8-years-old I wanted to be: A Power Ranger
My favourite way to relax away from cricket is: Play golf
My sporting (non-cricket) hero is: Tiger Woods