Stephen Parry

Full Name	Stephen Parry
Nickname	Pazza
DoB	12th January 1986
Height	5'11"
Bats/Bowls	Right-hand/Left-arm Spin
Shirt Number	4
Lancashire	Academy 2004, Scholarship 2007. Debut 2007
Tests	0
ODI	0

Profile

If 2009 is anything to go by, Stephen Parry definitely has a bright future at Old Trafford.

The Manchester-born left-arm spinner, who will be 24 at the start of the 2010 domestic season, burst onto the scene in 2009 with spectacular effect.

Parry made his first-class debut against Durham University in the early stages of 2007, and claimed second innings figures of 5-23 from 9.1 overs in a four-wicket win.

But he had to wait until May of 2009 to make his first competitive appearance for the Red Rose county, a Friends Provident Trophy defeat against Essex at Chelmsford.

He hit 31, batting at No.10, to help the Lightning post a workable, but below par, score of 157 before returning a superb spell of 1-17 from ten overs as the Eagles comfortably chased down their target of 158.

Lancashire’s coaching staff, if not the club’s members and supporters, knew before 2009 that Parry’s strength was his versatility. He readily admits that his bowling is his main attribute, but he can also bat and field.

If the fans didn’t know it then, they do now.

He subsequently played nine of ten Twenty20 Cup matches, finishing with a stellar return of ten wickets at an average of 22.3, including a best of 3-20.

He also took 13 List A wickets and four Championship wickets in his two appearances against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl and champions Durham at Old Trafford. He was also used as a makeshift opener by Peter Moores in the Durham game.

He was described by Moores as a young Daniel Vettori, high praise indeed from the ex-England coach.

And the praise was certainly not misplaced, as the player scooped the club’s young player of the year award at an Old Trafford dinner in September.

He also narrowly missed out on the magic moment award too after pulling off a stunning catch to dismiss Nottinghamshire’s Adam Voges in a Twenty20 Cup group match at Old Trafford.

Voges slashed a short Glen Chapple ball down to third man, where it seemed set for the maximum reward, but Parry caught the ball before throwing it into the air as he fell back towards the boundary rope and caught it again after jumping back onto the field of play.

It was narrowly beaten by Steven Croft’s wonder catch to rid Yorkshire’s Michael Vaughan the night before.

Parry was the professional at Saddleworth League side Bamford Fieldhouse in 2009, juggling that with his Lancashire commitments.

However, his previous stints at the leading Liverpool Competition outfits, Northern and Firwood Bootle, the latter under the uncompromising tutelage of former Lancashire batsman Iain Cockbain, have already given him valuable experience.

In preparation for the 2010 English summer, 'Pazza' travels to Australia for the sixth successive winter. He will turn out for grade club side Sale on the outskirts of Melbourne.

Parry entered the Old Trafford Academy in 2004, and was awarded a scholarship in 2007. His joining the ranks of Lancashire's contracted professionals was the next step on his career path.

After taking 19 Second XI Championship wickets in 2008, he spent much of the end of the season in and around the first team squad. When he was not required to carry drinks, he was able to learn a little more about the arts of slow bowling from the admirable Gary Keedy.

The summer of 2009 proved that he had learnt well.
Graham Hardhastle
(c) Lancashire County Cricket Club
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