Once an Aussie...
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By James Root Last updated: 31st July 2007
If I played for England I'd probably cop some stick from my mates and get disowned by my family, but it wouldn't be too bad apart from that.
- In six years at Lancashire, Law is yet to win a trophy.
- Between 1999 and 2003 he passed 1000 runs in each county season.
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Stuart Law dropped in on Cricket AM and told Simon and Anita the reasons why he left Australia and why he just wouldn't feel comfortable wearing the three lions cap.
In true Aussie fashion Law was quick to point out his origins when he greeted Anita before parking on the orange sofa: 'I'm an Aussie - we only kiss on one cheek", he said.
Not only that, but the former Essex batter was wearing flip-flops! With Lancashire having only played four days cricket this month, you would believe that he must be frustrated.
"We don't keep count because we're quite used to it in Lancashire," said Law.
"It can be fine everywhere in the world and normally in Manchester it's raining.
"This year's been particularly wet, but having got four days of cricket in we're quite glad. We got a result the other night, we're in the Twenty20 finals and we're still in the running for the county championship.
But surely the former Australia batsman must miss the glorious sunshine back home in Brisbane?
"My wife is still trying to convince me that this is the place to live, but this season has done absolutely no favours to keep me in this country so that's one thing we'll have to cross when we get to it."
"And how does Blackpool compare to surfer's paradise?" asked Anita.
"It's got bigger roller coasters but probably not as many," said Law.
"People said I only moved here to play for England, well that's not the case. Actually I only got my passport yesterday so... I haven't rung home to tell everybody, I'll probably let that sink in.
"It was a big move for me personally - I couldn't go anywhere else in Australian cricket so I called it quits in 2004 mainly because we had a little fella and my wife wanted to be closer to her family. So I did it for all the right reasons - it wasn't just for me."
Law made 54 ODI appearances for Australia and wore the baggy green on one occasion. His name has been banded around for England on a number of occasions but could he play for the old enemy?
"I'd like a pound for every time I've been asked this question," he said.
"I haven't really got an answer, but I don't think I could do it, though I am living in England now and perceived to be an Englishman, but I'm Australian at heart.
"I'd probably cop some stick from my mates and get disowned by my family, but it wouldn't be too bad apart from that."
This weekend Law and Lancashire will be playing in their third Twenty20 finals day, where they face Gloucestershire in the first semi-final, and he believes that the key to winning isn't just down to what happens on the pitch.
"We've been favourites in most finals we've gone into for some reason or another, but it's just a game of cricket to us. Gloucester are a good one-day outfit and are going to be tough to beat.
"What I have found hard is the waiting around. We've played in the first semi a couple of times and the wait between the semi finishing and the final starting seems an eternity.
"We're going to have to work out a plan of how to entertain ourselves in the five hours between the end of the semi and the start of the final.
