DAVID SPINELLI
Wily club veteran who does everything including groundsman, occasional umpiring, and even plays cricket sometimes. Under-utilised in the first team.
Nickname: The Guvnor, The Godfather
Career highlight: Any time I get a bat these days – which is never
Best performance: That pitch for August 12th, 2005. It was a belter
Tour expectations: Not to get a bat, to do 20 overs umpiring stint and probably roll the pitch for the oppo afterwards
Batting style: Classical and old school
Bowling style: Round-armed and very canny
Least Fave Film: The Godfather 2 and 3 – there’s only one Godfather - me
Cricketing heroes: Denis Compton, Don Bradman
Occupation: Commercial vehicle salesman
Likes: Flogging white vans. Marking out the square. Sweeping up the pavilion
Dislikes: Umpiring. Failing umpiring exams
Fave music: Anything bar that racket my son churns out
Hobbies: Rolling and marking out cricket pitches
Often mistaken for: Marlon Brando
Ambition: To get my son to play a proper innings. To also get him to take catches off my bowling
Hairstyle: Almost gone
Body shape: Slender
Fielding position: Gully
Shots in locker: Cover drive (still got it), nudge to leg
Opinions on cricket: Groundsmen should get more credit for their work – especially at Castlethorpe
Fave food: Anything but Italian
Criminal record: Fortunately Dom’s band haven’t recorded one yet
