Every now and then in your life, you come across someone who gives their all in any situation. They may not always be the most talented but you know they will do everything in their power to help the team win.
Andrew Yates resembles this and was my team mate at both Campbelltown and Mosman. Tough, committed and sometimes a little too over-enthusiastic which sometimes detracted from his performance.
He was often referred to as the ‘Kettle’ amongst his team mates. Yatesy would run in and try so hard his head turned redder than a smacked arse. Steam would almost come out his ears as he endeavoured to take another wicket. I’m sure if he had a gap in his front teeth he would whistle!
In one match he tried that hard, he tore his right bicep tendon off the bone, ruptured his left quadricep and exacerbated his left knee whilst attempting a cover drive batting! Christ, imagine if he played a contact sport.
During his career, Yatesy would also remember statistics. It is not surprising that he is now Managing Partner of KPMG in Sydney. An audit man during the week and a tearaway frustrated quick on the weekend. I would often hear him mention over a beer late at night. 3 for 56 off 18! “Sorry, Andrew?” “They were my stats today.” He said proudly.
As the years wore on and his professional career at KPMG was heading ‘North’, his passion for the game of cricket never wained as he slid down the grades in cricket. I remember finishing a first grade away match early and heading back to Allan Border Oval to watch our second grade team over a cold lager. As I walked in the ground I heard a large roar and realised Yatesy had just taken back to back wickets.
His team surrounded the middle-aged quick as he whipped a tsunami of sweat off his red melon. Yatesy is on a hat trick as I quickly grabbed another cold VB and secured a front-row seat. What would he do in this key moment? Would he bowl the ball full and straight? Would he try a bouncer or even a slower ball? I could see the auditors head going through every possible situation as he sucked in more air than a bonfire on cracker night and made his way back to the top of his extremely long run-up.
"Come on big fella, you can do it” echoed from the empty stands.
In his infinite wisdom, Andrew chose to bowl a full wide ball down leg side… The batsmen shocked by the bowler’s choice attempted a leg glance only to present the wicket keeper with a diving catch! Hat trick!! You little beauty! Somebody stop him as he will run out of the stadium. Actually call the fire brigade and put out his head!
I quickly realised he will be talking about this for years to come and I’m sure the ‘pie' he bowled down leg side will become a screaming ‘Yorker’ when telling his kids of his achievements in the future.
There is an old saying. “It’s in the book.” Meaning, it doesn’t matter how you get your wickets or score runs at the end of the day. They all count!
You will find Andrew today still sharing his hat trick story with pride and leading his peers at KPMG with the same passion and commitment. My only advice to his peers at KPMG, if there is ever a corporate cricket match, they should first check their key man insurance policy before allowing this fiery quick on the paddock again.
Recently on my "Lunch with Lee" podcast I caught up with Australian actor Anthony LaPaglia and Australian Aboriginal leader and politician Warren Mundine.
Pour yourself a glass from the Gin Society or O’Brien Beer and click play, this was fun
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