NO ONE is more surprised at Daniel Worrall’s progression within a year from
middling club-level cricketer to state-level paceman than the player
himself.
The former Point Cook resident, 21, had intended this year to be the third of
a long stint at university leading to a law degree. Instead, his academic plans
were interrupted by an off-season approach by South Australia that has already
led to five interstate appearances for the Redbacks and possibly a sixth on
Wednesday, at the MCG against Victoria in the Ryobi Cup.
”It’s something I’ve had to get my head around over the past couple of
months,” Worrall explained. ”Cricket was just a way to have a laugh with
mates. I’d never seriously considered a career in cricket.”
The right-armer represented Melbourne Cricket Club from the age of 15, not
because he had been poached from elsewhere but because the coach of his school
team, Justin Graham, was already at the club and was worn down by Worrall’s
nagging to train there.
Worrall, nicknamed ”Franky” after the champion West Indies player Sir Frank
Worrell, did not break into the Demons’ first XI until he was 20. His record, 25
wickets at 25.64, was not dazzling but it was enough to get him two second-XI
berths for Victoria. In that second appearance, in March against New South Wales
at Ringwood, he snared five wickets.
While Worrall at that stage was finalising plans for a winter stint playing
village club cricket in England, news of his exploits reached former Victorian
paceman Rob Cassell, the SA bowling coach. He talked to head coach Darren Berry
and director of cricket Jamie Cox.
A month later the England trip was off and Worrall deferred his study, moved
to Adelaide with a rookie contract and officially became a Redback.
