Eastern Cricket Association: Despite having cerebral palsy, Paul Tesoriero lives for his weekly hit with STC South Camberwell

Paul Tesoriero has cerebral palsy. It makes life challenging, he’ll admit that. But he won’t let it stop him having his weekly hit of cricket

Paul Tesoriero has cerebral palsy.

It makes life challenging, he’ll admit that.

But Paul Tesoriero plays cricket — he lives it, he gives it his all and he’s not after any free rides.

“They can bounce me, I’m big enough and ugly enough to take it,” he laughs.

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Paul Tesoriero won’t let cerebral palsy get in the way of his love for cricket. Picture: Josie Hayden

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to parts of the brain and generally results in permanent movement disorders. Symptoms can often include problems with co-ordination and balance as well as weak or stiff muscles.

Tesoriero, who requires sticks to maintain balance while he walks, has had success as a competitive powerlifter, but it was a team sport he craved.

And, after being invited down to training at STC South Camberwell, he has found a place for himself in the club’s limited overs side (LOC5) in the Eastern Cricket Association.

“I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “I played junior cricket a long time ago and enjoyed it. I’m fitter and stronger now and wanted to stay involved in a team sport.

“I just want to play and be one of the guys, which is all anyone wants to do really. I’m around a pretty understanding bunch of blokes, the socialising I’m just enjoying being part of it.

“I was playing indoor cricket, (teammate) Marc Mansour was captain of the fourths down there (STC South Camberwell). Being a good mate of mine, he gave me an opportunity to play.”

Paul Tesoriero: “Bowl as fast as you like, I’m big enough and ugly enough to take it.” Picture: Josie Hayden

Tesoriero bats one-handed and, “with limited foot work”, relies on nudging the ball away and scoring from deflections.

“I bat with my left hand and hold the stick in the other hand for balance,” he said. “It’s a bit funny sometimes, the opposition bowlers, they feel like they have to be nice to me by bowling slowly to me. They’re actually not helping, I like the fast bowling. I’m a big boy, I can take it. But all the opposition have been really welcoming.”

Bowling is a little tougher, but that hasn’t stopped him rolling his arm over.

“I’d never had a bowl before,” he said. “In junior cricket I couldn’t make the (length of the) wicket. But now I’m a lot stronger. I bowl off a static run, very slow seam-up leg spinners, I have strong shoulders.”

And, just last week, he snared his first scalp.

“He got into me a bit but he also hit one in the air out to cow corner and one of the older guys took a great catch for me,” Tesoriero said.

Fielding is a bit more problematic with Tesoriero needing both sticks for balance and mobility.

“I stand with both sticks and put my body on the line,” he said.

Tesoriero said he can throw both sticks away and walk but, without them, that’s about it.

He said he walks until the momentum slows and then, without the sticks for balance, he falls over. But, he hasn’t ruled out having a crack at a running, diving catch some time in the future.

Paul Tesoriero rolls his arm over with his slow leggies. Picture: Josie Hayden

“One day, I’m going to give it a red hot go,” he laughed.

Tesoriero said he hasn’t set out to be a poster boy for inclusion. All he’s after is the chance to play sport like anyone else.

“I’m not after any handouts,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of support people around me (all my life) but I haven’t been wrapped in cotton wool, which has been good for me.

“You come up against it (people saying he can’t do something) and you get a bit defiant. But it’s not about doing it with a chip on your shoulder.

“I’m not really one for the messages, I’m just a bloke playing cricket.

“I think by NOT making a song and dance about it, I am making the message. I just want to get better and make more runs, and then the story becomes Paul’s made a contribution to the team.”