31st March 2006, 05:44
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Newcomer
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Debut: May 2005
Runs: 49
Wickets: 6
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Lara Makes Derek's Wish Come True
Quote:
The life of one seriously ill youngster was made super special by master batsman Brian Lara during the truncated final Test match against New Zealand in Napier.
And it had nothing to do with Lara's top score of 83 which won him the Man-of-the-Match award even though that did make it even more special.
Lara is 16-year-old Derek Medbury's all time Man-of-the-Match because the world record holder has always been Derek's favourite cricketer.
Derek, who is living with lung disease, had always wished to meet Lara. Derek who is from Darwin in Australia was flown over to New Zealand by the Make A Wish Foundation especially to meet Lara.
One official of the Make A Wish Foundation described Derek's bedroom as a "shrine to Brian Lara".
Lara hosted Derek for the Test match and presented him with a multitude of highly sought after items from his personal cricket kit.
'NUMBER ONE FAN'
On the first day of the Test match Lara presented Derek with a West Indies training cap and Test shirt. Both were autographed and Lara also wrote "I have now become your number one fan" on the shirt to let Derek know that he was inspired by his story of having to live with such a challenging ailment.
Derek also met the entire West Indies team and got the chance to watch them warm-up on day one from close quarters on the field and played some cricket with the coaching staff and some players in the dressing room after the first day's play. He spent time chatting and mingling with his favorite cricketers, took photographs, got autographs and received several other cricketing gear and kit.
At the end of the Test match Lara presented Derek with one of his prized MRF bats, a pair of pads and a pair of batting gloves, all which he used in the game and all autographed especially for the youngster.
Though there was not much cricket played during the drawn Test which was severely affected by rain Derek was pleased to see Lara make his most substantial score of the tour and was very emotional, as was Lara, when they parted for the final time.
Lara has promised to stay in contact with the youngster in future. Now that he has met his hero, Derek's next wish is to play cricket for the West Indies.
Derek traveled to Napier, his first overseas trip, with his mom Debbie and dad Paul and returned to Darwin after the Test.
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http://www.windiescricket.com/Article.asp?ID=375069
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