Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the possibility of new legislation on Wednesday evening at Kirribilli House to a garden of cricketers, officials and other distinguished guests.
It involved India’s genius fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has taken 30 wickets in four Tests against Australia and been a formidable opponent this summer.
“We could pass a law here that says he has to bowl left-handed or off one step,” Albanese said with a grin to about 100 guests. “Every time he has come onto bowl has been very exciting.”
Two days out from the New Year’s Test at the SCG, starting Friday, Australian and Indian players soaked in the surroundings at one of Sydney’s most iconic locations after being invited for a New Year’s Day reception by Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon.
During a 90-minute function that takes place every year on January 1, some of the world’s most famous cricketers took their pick at a menu featuring tandoori lamb cutlets, mini lobster and prawn rolls, spinach and cheese sausage rolls, as well as fruit skewers and Zooper Doopers.
Pat Cummins (left), Anthony Albanese (centre) and Rohit Sharma (right) on Wednesday night at Kirribilli House. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird, outgoing CEO Nick Hockley and his soon-to-be-successor Todd Greenberg mingled with guests under a perfect early evening blue sky.
Sam Konstas, Australia’s newest batting prodigy, stood out with his Adidas sneakers and brought family along for the occasion. The 19-year-old’s mother Pamela, father Jim and his brothers Billy and Johnny from the Hurstville area were in their element rubbing shoulders with India’s cricketers.
Less than a week after Konstas played spectacular ramp shots against Bumrah on Test debut, the teenager’s father and mother asked for a photo with arguably the greatest fast bowler in history.
Minutes later, Konstas got his own photo with Kohli – his childhood hero who gave him a shove while batting during the MCG Test that led to a fine. The pair appear to have made up, but hostilities could resume later this week with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon with Sam Konstas.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Albanese, who picked Konstas to play in a Prime Minister’s XI match last month – the youngster made a century to strengthen his Test case – was keen to take some credit for the youngster’s rapid rise.
“Of course, he got his break in the Prime Minister’s XI [game],” Albanese said. “I’m claiming some of the credit, which is about my only contribution to national cricket.”
Teams posed for photos by a rock overlooking the harbour but interestingly, both sides did not get one together, like in some previous years.
Kohli was spotted chatting with Albanese and federal sports minister Anika Wells as Indian players posed for their own personal photos.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon host the Australian and Indian cricket teams on Wednesday night at Kirribilli House.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Indian captain Rohit Sharma was supposed to address guests but coach Gautam Gambhir, a man under significant pressure to keep his job if his team lose this series, stood up in his place.
Gambhir hasn’t spoken publicly all tour but opened up on the challenge of performing well in Australia.
“Australia is a beautiful country to travel but a tough place to tour,” Gambhir said. “Crowds have been absolutely amazing. We’ve got another Test match to go. Hopefully we can entertain the crowd.”
Australian Pat Cummins will name his XI on Thursday for the fifth and deciding Test, with his side in the box seat, leading 2-1.
“The last week in Melbourne is right up there is one of the best Test matches we’ve been involved with,” Cummins said. “Over the five days, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Looking forward to this week. It’s a decider. It’s our chance to win the series. Can’t wait.”
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