Turbulent past, bright future

ROSS GIBLIN/Fairfax NZ

GOING PLACES: Rory Hamilton-Brown, the new English cricket import for the Firebirds, checks out his new home, the Basin Reserve.

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At age 24 and yet to play for England, Rory Hamilton-Brown already has enough press clippings to fill a chunky scrapbook.

However, not all of them are glowing reports. The good bits include how he is the godson of former England batsman Dennis Amiss, England age-grade rugby fullback, youngest captain of Surrey for 138 years (at age 22).

And the not so good? The inevitable question arises, one that's loomed for nearly five years and is tucked at the bottom of his player profile. When, in 2007, he was stripped of the England under-19 captaincy for allegedly drinking on match eve, then reinstated a week later when the allegations were proved to be false.

It forced an embarrassing backdown by the England Cricket Board, and apologies from media outlets that published the original story. The memories are still raw, and he gets asked about it often.

"It was a pretty tough time but because I didn't do it and I got reinstated the next game it wasn't as tough as it could have been. People are still talking about it five years on so it didn't completely evaporate," the big-hitting all-rounder said yesterday, amid much calmer waters as he breezed into the Basin Reserve to begin his five-match Twenty20 stint with the Firebirds.

His relationship with the England board was unaffected, he believes, but there's still bitterness towards two particular officials.

"I still have a massive issue with the two people who made the decision. I don't think I'll ever forgive them because if you're going to do something like that, put it in all the papers with an 18-year-old kid, you've got to be pretty sure you're right.

"They went out on a limb and made the wrong decision. In my eyes it's a disgrace that they still work at the England Cricket Board. But these things happen."

Hamilton-Brown did his talking on the field last year: leading Surrey back into the top division of the County Championship after a three-year absence, then starring in the 40-over final at Lord's with 78 from 62 balls in the win over Somerset.

He got a lofty recommendation, from England coach Andy Flower, when Wellington chased a replacement for star import Muttiah Muralidharan, now home for the birth of his second child.

A replacement for Murali?

Hamilton-Brown chuckles: "I don't think I'm quite in that mould".

Having given up rugby at 16 when a promising young signing with Harlequins, Hamilton-Brown is primarily an opening batsman in T20 cricket who gives the ball a clout, and chimes in with some offspin. And he's now a gun for hire, having come from the Zimbabwe T20 competition in December, and potentially in the new Bangladesh competition next month.

Hamilton-Brown loved his time in Zimbabwe, playing on the losing team in their domestic final, against Canterbury's evergreen Chris Harris.

But there was a big lowlight a day before he left for England last month when his kit bag was stolen from his car in Harare. Six bats, cricket gear, an i-Phone, Blackberry, even his favourite jeans were gone. It was a scramble to replenish his kit before flying in two days ago.

His only previous experience of New Zealand was four days in Auckland for a mate's wedding. He'd heard good things about Wellington from Luke Wright, last year's import, and likes what he has seen so far. And he'd like to continue into February, if the Firebirds will have him.

"I'd love to perform and be able to stay on and play as much cricket as I can here. But if it doesn't come off there's potential to play in Bangladesh. Four-day stuff would be ideal, fantastic preparation for my season – and try to get settled with a side and try to have an effect on their season."

He watched television coverage anxiously on Wednesday night as Wellington kept their campaign afloat with an eight-wicket win over Northern Districts at Mt Maunganui.

He will debut against Canterbury today knowing he has the hit the ground running.

"If we put a run together we're in with a show.

"I like that new pressure of going away from where you're comfortable in a county side, into a new side where you've got to prove yourself again. I can't wait to get out there."

- © Fairfax NZ News