Plenty of 'chuckles' as Travis proves he's no Friend of Nasser (From Gazette & Herald)

Plenty of 'chuckles' as Travis proves he's no Friend of Nasser

THERE were plenty of 'chuckles' coming from Duncombe Park Cricket Club as one of their old boys hit the big time with Zimbabwe in the first test match against England at Lord's.

Travis 'Chuckles' Friend enjoyed a fruitful season at the Helmsley club three years ago and that grounding has seen him climb to the heights of removing England skipper Nasser Hussain with the first ball of his first over.

However, Friend, who has followed Gary Brent out of Park and into the international frame for Zimbabwe, spared the blushes of most of the York and District Senior League batsman as a back problem prevented him bowling in all but one game.

The warning for England, though, will be that Friend still finished the season taking the club's batting award.

Park treasurer Peter Silk said: "Unfortunately, when he came to us he was injured, so he only bowled in one match and was outstanding. But then again he still won our batting cup for the season.

"It was against Sessay and he took the first three Sessay batsman out in his first over. We were all stood watching, it was chin-dropping stuff. We thought that we had cracked it and had a world beater as he could swing the ball like a banana. Unfortunately he said to us afterwards he thought he should give bowling a rest as he was suffering with back pain and never bowled again for us. He had loads of talent and we always knew he'd go far, so we are all delighted for him."

Despite his rise to the top, Friend hasn't forgotten his connections with Park. "He has remained in contact and phoned our chairman Tony O'Neil to say he had been selected for the test side," added Silk. "We are hoping that we can all meet up with him while he is over. When he came over a couple of years ago we met up at Old Trafford and he took us in to the changing room to meet the squad. You could seen then that despite being a young lad, he was held in high regard by the rest of the squad."

There is little doubt that England and Hussain can add their names to those who also hold him in high regard now.

Updated: 16:05 Wednesday, May 28, 2003