Was it midsummer night’s dream? No, it was winter, and certainly a day. But was it a dream, me bowling to ‘Pup’ Clarke, beating him twice with my slow off-spin and almost catching him twice off my bowling?

The attached video confirms it was for real!

This was at the launch of Vodafone Ashes 2010-11 sponsorship at the SCG on Wednesday], 176 days before the first Test in Brisbane this November.

Present at the function were captain Ricky Ponting, vice-captain Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Nathan Hauritz, Doug Bollinger, and hundreds of photographers.

The cricketers were pleased with the Vodafone sponsorship and wore their Test whites showing the new logo with pride. “I love the Vodafone logo”, Ponting said. “We are all excited about the new partnership.”

Then about the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia, he added: “We are focusing on it ever since the last ball was bowled in the Oval Test last August. We want to be in the best physical and mental state.”

Michael Clarke, the ambassador for Vodafone, seemed equally excited about the upcoming Ashes. All of us can watch every ball of the Ashes on the Vodafone wherever we are, he added.

Then there was time for interviewing and photographing players.

I chose to speak with my favourite, Phillip Hughes. Looking smaller than he does on the TV screen, his left hand was heavily bandaged. “I was operated on few weeks ago. I hope to be alright before the cricket season.”

Then I told him something he did not know.

This was about amazing similarities between him (seven Tests between 2008 and now) and former Australian Test cricketer John Moroney (seven Tests between 1949 and 1951). Both Moroney and Hughes were born in Macksville, NSW, first played for Australia on a tour of South Africa (in 1949-50 and 2008-09, respectively), made ducks on Test debut in a Test in Johannesburg, followed by a century in each innings later in the series.

Both were subsequently dropped against England after a poor series.

Now to my personal highlight – my bowling to Michael Clarke at the SCG indoor nets in tandem with Bollinger and nearly getting the ‘Pup’ out four times.

Of course, it was a soft red ball and he was toying with me. But not many get an opportunity to bowl to a Test star.

You don’t believe me? Then see the video below!

Bowling to Clarkey took my mind back to November 1977.

I was watching the Indian team under Bishan Bedi practice at the SCG nets. To my shock, Bedi – a good friend – threw the ball to me and said, “Kersi, bowl”.

So I bowled to Ashok Mankad, Surinder Amarnath and manager Polly Umrigar.

They toyed with me, but I felt ten feet tall. On a high, I asked Prasanna what he thought of my off-spin. He hesitated and said, “stick to your writing, Kersi.”

Then he gave me his memoir to review.

When we met next time before the Sydney Test in January 1978, he asked me as to what I thought about his book. I nodded my head wisely and said, “Pras, stick to your off-spin!”

He was not happy.

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.