Scott Morrison shows he’s no star bowler as he joins in a game of local cricket – but his delivery was still FAR better than that of another PM
- Scott Morrison took to the cricket pitch at Brisbane’s Brookfield showgrounds
- The prime minister bowled to a local junior batsman but strayed wide
- He still fared much better than former PM John Howard
- Mr Howard made an embarrassing attempt at bowling in Pakistan in 2005
- Mr Morrison is on the campaign trail in Queensland ahead of the 2022 election
Scott Morrison may have proven his rugby league prowess in the past, but the Prime Minister looked very rusty as he joined a junior cricket game on Wednesday.
The prime minister could not resist the picture opportunity at Brookfield Showgrounds, in Brisbane’s western suburbs as he bowled to a local batsman.
Electing to bowl around the wicket, Mr Morrison kept his arm high and seam straight but failed to trouble the batsman, with the delivery straying well wide of off stump.
While there’s not threat of receiving a late call-up for the Ashes, Mr Morrison’s efforts were decent by politician photo-op standards, and fellow players could be heard saying ‘not bad’ as they assessed the PM’s form.
Scott Morrison took to the pitch at Brookfield Showgrounds, in Brisbane, on Wednesday (pictured)
The Prime Minister bowled wide left on his first attempt, before rounding out two nice deliveries
The prime minister picked up his game, with his next two deliveries found the right pitch – something Mr Morrison is trying to do as he hits the campaign trail in Queensland heading toward next year’s election.
At the very least, Mr Morrison avoided the humiliation of former PM John Howard, whose own bowling efforts in Pakistan in 2005 remain one of the more cringe-worthy moments in Australia’s proud sporting history.
Mr Howard almost hit his own feet with the attempted delivery, accompanied by the nervous laughter of local children and the Australian military during a visit to earthquake-ravaged Pakistan.
John Howard infamously attempted to bowl a cricket ball 13 years ago in Pakistan (pictured is one of his attempts) but threw it at his feet
His first and third attempts bounced barely in front of him and second effort was well wide of the stumps.
Mr Howard did fare better when given a chance to bat.
Oft-resurfaced footage of the November 2005 game showed the ex-prime minister survive two deliveries before retiring in front of cheering onlookers.
He had been bowling to Pakistani Religious Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq during their visit to an Australian army medical camp in Dhanni about 35 kms from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
Although Mr Morrison’s cricket abilities could use some refining, rugby league appears to be his sporting domain.
In August 2018, shortly after assuming office, the new prime minister nailed a perfect field goal during a visit to the home of his beloved Cronulla Sharks.
Mr Morrison wowed Australia after slotting a perfect field goal (pictured) in August 2018