Sport / FAROKH ENGINEER

In Conversation With Cricket Legend

Farokh Engineer

Farokh Maneksha Engineer is a former Indian cricketer. He played 46 Tests for India, and he played first-class cricket for Bombay in India from 1959 to 1975 and for Lancashire in England from 1968 to 1976. Engineer was the last from his community to play for India, as not a single Parsee male cricketer has represented the country after him.

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Q. Initially wanting to become a pilot, tell us about how you were bitten by the cricketing bug, take us down that memory lane?:

I was at university and learnt flying and got a pilot license and then a little thing called cricket got in the way! I was selected for test cricket playing Ranjhi trophy and was offered contracts by 4 English countys- Worcestershire, Hampshire, Somerset and Lancashire and I chose to play for Lancashire and now I am the Vice President of the club and rest is history! 

Q. How was it being the first Indian cricketer to be approached by four English counties- Somerset, Worcestershire, Hampshire and Lancashire and then playing for the Lancashire Club along with the likes of Clive Lloyd and David Lloyd-what were the highs and challenges you overcame?

I recommended Clive Lloyd to Lancashire he came a year later and I was the first overseas professional in the club. There was a lot of pressure as an Indian coming to play here in UK. I had to really strive really hard to prove myself and there was a lot of pressure. The targets were high and I had to work with focus and now I’m a Lancashire legend which is a huge honour for me as one of the three greatest players along with Clive Lloyd and we did our best to put Lancashire on the cricket map and I played more than my part to make it one of the top most counties in cricket and this has sure been a high!

Q. Many youngsters have been inspired by you, what has been your source of inspiration?

I owe everything to my parents and they inspired me endlessly and also my brother who was on the verge of test cricket and was my huge inspiration. Hardwork kept me inspired as without it nothing comes easy! Other cricketers who inspired me was Polly Umrigar he was my cricketing idol I learnt a lot watching him and playing with him.

Q. What are your most memorable moments as a cricketer which you have cherished at all times over the years?

As a cricketer I was the first person to have scored almost a century before lunch which was against the mighty West Indies with the fastest bowlers in the world and we had no helmets! Winning the test series for india in England in 1971 was mighty memorable as a team effort where I played a huge part in the victory. It was memorable to win against Australia in Australia and win against West Indies in the West Indies and win New Zealand in New Zealand and this was the emergence for indian cricket and was an honour to play for india in the test matches. 1983 World Cup was memorable when india won as I was the only indian commentator on the field and believed india could win and kept encouraging the boys in the dressing room, this was so memorable!

I was the first and only Indian cricketer to model to brylcream and those days it was like being on the cover of vogue! I began to be called by others as the brylcream boy and this I have continued to cherish, and will do for times to come.  

Q. What words of inspiration would you give budding cricket enthusiasts?

Nothing short of hard work, dedication! If I can make with my humble beginnings into being India’s legends I’m sure anyone can. Grab opportunities with both hands, enjoy cricket but dedicate yourself and give it your best determined shot and believe you can do it!