World A Team Forum Cricket Match

[Andy Mellon]

I know this idea was mooted last year, but I am going to try and make a better go at arranging it this year.

What I would like to do is organise a W-A-T social for some of our members. What I would ideally like to do is have a fun cricket match followed by a few drinks in a local bar. I realise we are all from disparate locations - even just the English members - so I would like to arrange it in a location as central place as possible. To this end, I have asked a London area based member to look into pitch availability. I realise London isn't exactly central, but it is the easiest of places to get to overall in England. If there are any members in the Birmingham area who could suggest a pitch, then that may be better.

I would also like to ask two questions in association with this. Which weekends in the summer could you make if you were willing to turn up, and would you prefer to play cricket with a cricket ball, or a more 'friendly' softball match. What I don't want to have is one person who is good, terrorising the rest of the less frequent players amongst us.

So, if you could reply with a 'Yes - I'd love to play and put faces to the names' or 'No - I'm actually scared of softballs/London? Where's that/Apologies, I'm going to be drinking Budvar in Prague/Grolsch in Holland or even 'Sod this - how's about a match in Karachi?'

The poll is for registering which dates you could make, so also please reply with 'Softball' or 'Cricket ball' if you wish to play. Even if you don't wish to play, please could you reply in the negative!!!

[Andy Mellon]

Right, somehow I've messed up the poll so you can only vote for one option. I'm obviously on form today. Therefore, if you could include in your replies which days you can and cannot make, that would be very useful (at least until I work out how to fix the poll!!!)

[Zainub]

If possible arrnage for tv/radio/onlibe ball by ball coverage

I'd hate to miss the action

[Andy Mellon]

I'm sure we could somehow sort out some regular postings on the W-A-T forum to keep you up to date with comedy dismissals/comedy fielding or even if someone plays well (you never know!!!)

[acker]

I'd like to be considered as a starter for a late 2006 or 07 match Andy , 40+ year old ex paceman now soughta chinaman who would appreciate a reserve fielder doublet or triplet and maybe a runner.
Also likely to arrive at Heathrow in a like state to which Rod Marsh arrived in the 70's or Booney arrived in the 80/90's, maybe I might even arrive on one of Booney's current tours !

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

IF, and alas its a big if, I can make a weekend (work most of them) one in august is a better option for me as work is quieter and I've a better chance of getting away. Although I dont mind travelling to london, the further away form central london te better as I always get a parking ticket if I go remotley near it. Essex would be good, and again in theory, I might be able to combine work with it. Sounds a cracking plan though.

[Zainub]

Geesh I'm getting jelouse ...take some photos too please,

[Andy Mellon]

Are you coming to England for 06/07 then? I was thinking about making the opposite trip! Goodbye Europe - hello Antipodes! Actually, I was hoping of finding a job where the period April to September was UK based and October to March based in New Zealand. Cricket all year round!!! Might even learn to play if I could get a game all year round....

Just to throw my ability in to the maelstrom - middle order batsman and occasional slow-medium bowler (gets it straight, but no movement).

I'll always remember the time in a friendly match I was bowling to a Hampshire league batsman and he struck the ball right down deep-square leg's throat to be dismissed. I was chuffed as he'd taken the bowling apart. Wasn't so happy when he came up to me in the bar afterwards just to let me know it was the worst ball he'd ever been dismissed by. Arrogant sod! Still, I had the last laugh there. Also, some guy hit me for 4 sixes in a row and had the gall to tell me where he was going to hit the next one. So I gave him my 'slower ball' (you wouldn't think it could actually get any slower) he went to slog and miss and I uprooted the off-stump (ok, knocked the bail off the off-stump)

I wonder what fun awaits me this season?!?

Actually, I could always see about a ground in Essex, RBLC.... I'll give it some thought

[acker]

Keep in tab's Andy , I will try to line you up for one of those games where we have a drinks break every 6 overs and take our "stubbie's" out with us when we feild & when we bat.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Actually with my fitness level what it is I was wondering if I could take an oxygen tent out with me when I field.