The Kent and Kent Regional Cricket Leagues started up on Saturday - hope everyone had a good weekend, if they were playing!
Now, I'm sure there are a variety of us here who play a bit of cricket (or, like in my case, do a not-that-passable imitation of cricket actions in match situations), and I thought maybe we'd all want to share our experiences, updates, notable match incidents, and perhaps most importantly - source a few players for friendlies/times of desperation!
I'm skippering the Old Colfeians 4th XI this year, and am in fact in the esteemed company of
@AshBurton, AshBurton Jr, and
@Leuth - a true mix of quality (needless to say, Ash's 13yo son is the best player by a mile). We start on the 13th, and as it happens I'm wondering if anyone's interested in a game or eighteen this season! We're always looking for members, and ability is of no concern (seriously, watch me bowl, it's highly amusing). Do let me know if you might fancy it!
I hope we all have great seasons - unless we cross paths...
Paddy
Comments
I actually scored my first runs since 2013 on Saturday (3 not out in a pre-season friendly) - it's not as bad as it seems, as it was just my third game since then, and just my sixth since 2013!
We were thinking of folding the 4s based on a lack of availability last year, but that was mainly down to the almost impressive levels of disorganisation at 1st XI level. We also had a few gents leave over the summer, including the 3s skipper and a few of his players/mates/relatives, leaving us in a little bit of a quandary.
That's now sorted with a much more efficient 1s skipper, and to the lower sides' credit, we've become pretty good at finding players, so there's a fair amount of fresh blood. Quality does remain to be seen to some extent, but I've got every hope for the season ahead.
Excellent start - got to protect that average now! Who do you play for?
Actually mis-typed, it was just my sixth game for Chislehurst & West Kent since 2003! I only fill in when they are desperate these days, as I can't run much since the knees went all those years ago. These days I umpire on the KCL panel. Less physical strain!
Highest score of 101*
Best bowling of 6-34
Captained at three different clubs
Now without a club
If I can get my garden into some sort of shape this Spring, you may get an inquiry from me as to whether you need to recruit a former opening batsman who used to bowl tidy offspin, stand at second slip and would always adopt the mantra, "strike the ball repeatedly out of the ground, without taking chances" whenever possible.
63 50s
21 100s
Now without a club.
Played at a decent village league level, medium pace/fast medium when I can be arsed. Best figures is 8-18
Not great bat tho.
Where do you live?
Four slips and a gully; point; cover; mid off; and mid-wicket to mop up the occasional one off the legs.
I back my bowlers.
To be fair if that was me I would never show my face again!
More than 6 runs a ball.
After 20 runs it would have been better to continue underarm.
Good for the confidence.
The club has had a long fall over the last 19 seasons, going from the Surrey Championship Premier down to the 2nd Division of the feeder league (called The Fullers League I think). But they've found their level and at 2nd and 3rd team level, they've had a couple of recent promotions.
It's all a bit different playing at Mitcham, with all the traffic buzzing around the ground and having to cross the road to bat etc but I loved my 7 seasons there. Go for it.
When the opposition needed 80 to win off five overs but were 9 down so were blocking everything to secure a draw.
Bring on a bowler to bowl tactical wides. Position the keeper on the boundary. Each wide was allowed to cross the boundary. 60 off the over. Leaving 20 needed off four.
The batting team is then compelled to go for the win. Game on.
Bring the two openers back on. Win the game in the penultimate over.
Beers all round.