Next up, we’re shining the spotlight on player, George (Mush) Mushahwar. Great with both bat and ball, George was running as our number 5 batsman in 2020. Just last week, he was one of our star ‘Performers of the Week’ with a five-wicket haul and an incredible 5-33. Not only is George a great player, he also gives up a lot of his time to coach our younger players too.
Now, moving on to the less serious stuff. Normally, when the Comms team are putting together a Q&As post, we ask the players if they have a ‘great’ photo they can share with us…well this is the one we got from Mush! We think, even if he never wins another cricket game ever again, he will always be a winner with this one!
What is your name and which ORTCC team do you play for?
George Mushahwar, 3rd XI and recently captained 4th XL MC whilst Mark finished his masters.
Do you have a nickname and if so, can you explain its significance?
Mush/ Mushy, pretty self-explanatory.
I also get called Roberto Martinez because I supposedly look like him (I don’t…)
What sparked your interest in cricket?
Growing up I couldn’t stand cricket, I used to find it really boring and would hate it in high school when Mr. Ashton would tell us we’re playing cricket in PE instead of football.
As teenagers, my brother and I used to take it in turns to play on the Xbox. One day in summer 2009, my brother was on the Xbox and I didn’t have much else to do, so I went into the living room and my dad was watching a T20 between Australia vs Pakistan. I really enjoyed watching it with him which then led to me watching the 2009 Ashes and I was hooked after that.
After a couple of years of watching cricket on TV, I decided in 2011 that I would then give playing a go, and that’s when my playing career started nearly 10 years ago.
Do you have a cricketing superstition, if so, what is it?
After every ball I face when batting, I always take a few steps towards square leg just to reset before walking back to the crease to take guard again.
Who is your club cricketing hero?
John Lawrence – a model club man who if we all tried to replicate, the club would be an even better place to play and be a part of. He’s given plenty to the club over the decades both as a player and a part of the management committee and continues to do so, despite being well within his rights to say that he’s done his bit and deserves to put his feet up.
In the handful of 2nd XI games I played with him, it was impressive to see him still diving around everywhere as a keeper despite being close to retirement as a player. He wasn’t afraid to put his body on the line and so both on and off the pitch he did everything he could to help our club.
Who is your favourite professional player?
Current pro – Jonny Bairstow. One of the most underrated players in the world who doesn’t quite get the plaudits that he should.
Former pro – Brett Lee. All I wanted to do when I got into cricket was bowl fast, and Brett Lee was the bowler that I wanted to be.
Who is the funniest at the club?
Luke Unsworth rarely fails to make me laugh when we play together, usually just by being himself!
Which team-mate is the tidiest in the changing room?
I can’t think of anyone particularly tidy, but considering all the gear that he brings with him, One F does well not to take up half the changing room so I’d have to say Geof.
Who is the most humble player you’ve played with?
Matt Hayes. He’s worked very hard for years to get where he is but doesn’t rest on his laurels, he continuously wants to improve and contribute to the team. He goes about his business quietly without any fuss.
Who has been the biggest influence on you?
I’d have to say my first captain, Paul Burrows. He gave me plenty of opportunities in games whether it was with the bat or ball and would make me feel like a match winner, even though sometimes I probably had him tearing his hair out! The confidence that he gave me whilst I was coming through after I had only started playing cricket as an adult was key to me enjoying the game and wanting to carry on playing and then going on to captain one of the Sunday teams.
What one tip or piece of advice would you pass on to our juniors?
Play to your strengths in-game and work on your weaknesses in training.
What is your favourite post-match drink?
I love a Moretti after a game these days, but back at uni I used to love a pint of snakebite & black after a game. I’d still probably drink it to this day if I knew that I wouldn’t get fined for it!
What is your favourite food?
Pizza and garlic bread.
What is your favourite football team?
Liverpool.
What is your favourite away ground?
Liverpool CC – the facilities are brilliant and the hospitality on a Sunday is great.
What is your favourite band/singer?
Meatloaf.
What would be your T20 theme tune song and why?
Let me entertain you by Robbie Williams as I’d try to put on a show (‘try’ being the key word!!)
What is your funniest or most memorable moment at ortcc?
Funniest moment would have to be when the swarm of bees stopped play at S&B a few years ago. One minute we were playing a game of cricket, the next minute 13 people were being chased by bees all over the outfield!
Most memorable moment would be a one-handed diving catch away to Rainhill some years ago. I celebrated with my arms out wide which the skipper that day Adam Sixsmith said was a messiah celebration. It’s since been dubbed as the ‘Mushiah’ catch by Cheesy.
What is your proudest cricketing achievement?
Seeing people enjoying themselves in my Sunday team when I was captain. When you’re the captain, you’re responsible for everybody’s game of cricket, so I was proud to be part of a dressing room where people enjoyed each others company and enjoyed playing with each other as that hadn’t always been the case on a Sunday.
The non-cheesy answer though would either be being captured on TV doing the conga after Eng v NZ at Edgbaston or being stalked by Chris Gayle on Instagram. For some reason, he liked one of my recent pictures at the time and then the following day, I had a notification that he’d liked a photo from 6 months back!
1 Comment
Great first picture – should be 10bob every week for that 🙂 lol