Newcastle star swaps controversial Australia tour for new sport as he gets the better of ex-England international’s son
SEAN LONGSTAFF’S decision not to jet off to Australia with Newcastle seems to be the right one.
The academy graduate could have been watching a makeshift team of teenagers getting pumped 8-0 by the A-League All Stars.
But instead he was on the cricket field – and doing a decent job of it too.
Longstaff, 26, turned out for former club Tynemouth and was handed the ball.
He steamed in and proved he still has a fair bit of pace as he put the batter in all kinds of trouble and had him caught at first slip.
The wicket turned out to be a decent scalp as it was Haydon Mustard – the son of former England keeper Phil, 41.
One fan commented: “Christ he looks pretty decent.”
Another added: “I’d hope he put his card behind the bar too! Legend.”
A third posted: “Would’ve likely played at county level if not for football too.”
And one noted: “Bit of pace there!”
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Newcastle’s 10,000-mile Australia trip was always controversial, coming right at the end of a gruelling season.
Eddie Howe deployed many first-team stars in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham.
But the Magpies’ trip ended in embarrassment as a young side were thrashed against the best of the A-League.
Midfielder Jay Turner-Cooke, 20, and 32-year-old fourth choice goalie Mark Gillespie, who captained the team, were the most senior players on display.
But they were joined by six teenagers in the starting XI.
And some fans wanted their money back after 53,000 people attended the game.
Throw in a pitch invader and a wild flock of birds and it was not a great trip.
How 'big angel' Joelinton rescued boss after he fainted in Subway
NEWCASTLE cult hero Joelinton rescued his old boss after he fainted in Subway.
And coach Pellegrino Matarazzo still calls the Brazilian his ‘angel’.
Matarazzo was Joelinton assistant manager during the midfielder’s spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.
Recalling the scary incident, the Matarazzo revealed: “I was standing in the queue and I wasn’t feeling well.
“I tried to go over to the Coca-Cola machine to quickly get a drink.
“I realised I was about to faint, and I did faint.
“When I opened my eyes I saw Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?’
“He was like a small, no a big, angel – Joelinton, what are you doing here?”