Published: Mar 10, 2015, 12:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 10, 2015, 01:35 PM (IST)
Melbourne is not only buzzing with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 but also the upcoming 2015 Formula One season opener, the Australia Grand Prix in Albert Park. Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Vijay Mallya led Sahara Force India F1 team driver Sergio Perez headed out for a promotional event in Melbourne.
The event for Fox Sports News involved Perez playing cricket with Australian cricketers Brad Hodge and John Hastings. Sahara Force India F1 team’s official Twitter handle before the event had tweeted about Perez heading out to play some cricket.
Hello Melbourne! #AusGP week is underway. Coming up today is a cricket lesson for @SChecoPerez in Albert Park. pic.twitter.com/us2qrGOc8F
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) March 9, 2015
And later on, the official Twitter handle of the Grand Prix, posted the pictures of Perez fielding and playing a shot along with posing with Hodge and Hastings:
When in #Melbourne: @SChecoPerez discovers cricket skills he didn’t know he had with @bradhodge007 & @johnhastings194 pic.twitter.com/2RrG3sGpPx — Aus Grand Prix (@ausgrandprix) March 10, 2015
Later on, Sahara Force India F1 team’s tweeted about Perez playing cricket:
Anyone for cricket? @SChecoPerez met up with local players Brad Hodge & John Hastings for a knock about in the park! pic.twitter.com/YTlNwd0zwL
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) March 10, 2015
Media present at the event also posted some behind the scenes photos:
Force India’s Sergio Perez learning the finer points of cricket from @bradhodge007 and @johnhastings194 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/BkZVpyoG3h — ESP (@EliteSportsProp) March 10, 2015
Force India’s @SChecoPerez on @FOXSportsNews ahead of @ausgrandprix Had a hit with @bradhodge007 & @johnhastings194 pic.twitter.com/AytCqXzHpD
— Chris Stubbs (@ChrisStubbsFOX) March 10, 2015
This is not the first time that a F1 driver visiting Australia has brushed with cricket and it was not the first time for Hodge to be a part of an event like this. In 2012, Hodge and Peter Siddle played beach cricket with the then Red Bull Racing drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.
For the Mexican Perez, this is the first time playing cricket. Although, his team owner owns Royal Bangalore Challengers (RCB) team, Perez hasn’t got the opportunity to come down to India for any event during the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Perez said, “I don’t have much experience in cricket, we don’t have it in Mexico. So, it is always nice to get introduced to different games, to different sports. It is always to meet some sportsmen that share the passion.” And Hodge concluded that Perez could be the future ‘Mexico team captain’.
