Brett Dorey

Brett Dorey was a surprise call-up for the 2005-06 Australia VB Series squad and he came with an interesting background. He represented Western Australia at Under-17 and Under-19 level in 1995 and 1997 before heading to Europe on a travelling adventure, where he worked as a bodyguard to the children of a wealthy Russian businessman. After returning to Western Australia in 2004, he decided to play cricket again and was called into an injury-depleted state side to make his debut against Queensland.

A giant at 2.03m like Bruce Reid, Dorey has a stronger physique than his Perth predecessor, although a snowboarding accident on his European vacation left him unable to walk and threatened his sporting career. His bowling is also worth talking about, and his steepling bounce impressed Merv Hughes, the selector who watched his career-best 7 for 86 against Queensland before his national call-up. He finished that summer on top of Western Australia's Pura Cup bowling list with 38 wickets at 25.02. His next campaign was quieter as a toe injury troubled him, and his six games brought 21 victims at 26.28. Dorey again battled to put together a full season in 2007-08, when a torn quadriceps kept him on the sidelines early in the summer. He was a strong performer in his five first-class appearances and grabbed 20 wickets at 24.90.
Andrew McGlashan September 2008