Cricket Experince Poll

[flanflinger]

It would be great to know what depth of experince we all have, in terms of playing cricket...

[Andy Mellon]

I play for Sway in the New Forest: www.swaycricketclub.co.uk

I also captain my office team

I umpire for New Forest Ladies when they play

I played a single game for my School's first XI contributing 1 not out and taking a skied catch.

I didn't play cricket at university except for the Chemistry department. I have no idea why.

[flanflinger]

www.whiteleyvillagecc.org.uk

is my club, work as the Press Officer, play mostly for the Seconds with an occasional call up for the 1st's when there is a shortage...

Played for the University of Huddersfield's 1st XI, selected mostly on my ability to consume beer..

Not selected for my school, because they were a clique and I wasn't in it...

[Occasional Fan]

I was a hopeless player whenever forced onto the field (it only happened a couple of times). I can't see a ball in flight coming towards me, can't connect with the bat and can't catch. And I throw like a girl. So you can see one or two handicaps here!

My only claim to fame is that I was once forced to bat in a school house match - number eleven, I expect. God knows why: there must have been someone who was better than me! Anyway, the main problem I had was that on arrival at the crease I couldn't see the bowler because he was somewhere over the horizon. After about twenty minutes or so he steamed into view and it was clear from his general demeanour that he was going to buzz a hard missile in my direction, so I did exactly what has kept the family going for so long, namely retreated. In fact, knowing a bit about the game, I took one good step back, lifted the bat and whipped the bails off. I was a good six feet back towards the pavilion where the Primary Club application form was already filled in and awaiting only my signature before the bowler had reached his delivery stride. And I was horrified at that point to hear the umpire, who clearly wasn't all that keen on cowardice being shown in the ranks, call "no-ball" and insist against my arguments that I had to face another one. "I was looking at it, Sir, and it seemed pretty fair to me: I was out fair and square!" Didn't wash at all. And I still don't qualify for the Primary Club, which is a shame. But I was clean bowled next ball for a duck, and I neither saw nor heard it coming.

Anyway, FF, you'd better put me down as "no experience at all".

[Statto]

I play club 1st/2nd/3rd/U21/U17 cricket and have played for the league representitive sides in a few age groups, our school only had one cricket match after 5 years of pestering the teacher and I skippered that side to a glorious defeat in our team of two cricketers and 6 who fancied a day out. I also do a lot of scoring for sides I dont play for (the origin of my name) and help run our Under 11s. My main hobby while playing is bowling out anyone batting in a county jumper because most of them seem to think theyre far better than they are (given that most of these are Derbys players it may explain their current lack of talent)

[Richard Jenkins]

I played cricket whilst living in the UK for several clubs, namley Town Malling ( Henry Blofield is this years guest speaker! (http://www.tmbc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=1342) and the ground was featured on a ten pound note (see the back of the Charles Dickens tenner) The team will take on the might of Lashings who feature here. (http://www.tmbc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=1439)) Pluckley in Kent (allegedly the most haunted village in the UK) and New Romney and Littlestone cricket clubs , (the only club to have three lions on its cap other than England, causes quite a stir when worn as people think you have an England cap!!) nice picture here http://homepages.tesco.net/~davyo/nrtour/maude.htm
This year sees the 300 years of cricket in Kent.
I also played University cricket, but only in the nets.
I bowled finger spin and some fast stuff, also a bit of seam ( but i couldn't claim to have mastered any of them)
I also played for the staff team at my last school in the UK in Maidstone.
I'm a fair bat, probably a genuine no 7 or 8, can hold an end up and score a few runs, but won't keep out the really quick stuff. I prefer facing seam up or spin, but I have been known to score a few runs. Having said all that my top score is under 30.
I'm a fairly good feilder, but make the odd schoolboy howler.

I suppose all this should be in the past tense, since I've not played any cricket since 2002. I'd love to play though!( but at 34 coming on 35 time is running out !)

Like tea time fat cat I was also known for wolfing down teas,cakes,and beer. And probably unlike ttfc i was known for smoking a pipe (a habit I no longer practice!)

I scored a few games and umpired a few times, ( lighting a pipe at mid on or at the stumps causes mild alarm amongst players!)

What was most amusing is the surname, which opponents assumed meant I was related to CMJ of tms fame. I'm not!
Also my initials are rmj, the same as cmj's son. But I'm nowhere near as good as Robin!

The nearest club to me in France is at Samaur in Maine and Loire, about 90 minutes drive away.

[Paoli]

Myself? Play for a local club and the Year 10 B team (Form Four). I made a swift 75 earlier this year for club and 52 for school; maybe in Year 12 I'll play firsts.

By the way, where's Vinoth. I seem to have read him saying he plays for the Indian National Team!!!

[Teatime FatCat]

I am, of course, as you all know, the Captain of the most celebrated 3rd XI on these boards, and have played club cricket for 18 years. Actually, we play very close to Flanflinger, and I am amazed our paths haven't crossed. However, we are a pretty average standard, but play for the love of it. This weeks glorious victory against the mighty Guildford 3rd XI was brought about by my aged fast bowler (37) skittling 'em and my youthful opener 'Wiggy' Wiggins (17) making a patient 40. Don't you just love it?

I am, however, International standard at teas.

[Mongoose]

Sadly, my carrer peaked when I was about 17. I was beginning to develop a bit pf pace to go with my pinpoint accuracy and massive outswing. I also loved bowling under pressure, and was nerveless at the death. Then I turned 18, the outswing suddenly stopped and I started spraying it everywhere.

I didn't even have much batting to fall back on. I'm from the Matthew Hoggard school of attacking strokeplay, hitting about three boundaries a season on average. Luckily I'm also from the Matthew Hoggard school of stout defence, and have often come in at no.11 and effortlessly survived 10 overs for the draw. The downside is, when I come in at no.11, the guy at the other end usually gets himself out a couple of overs later!

I haven't played any competitive cricket since a knee injury in 2001 - I'm hoping to get fit enough to play again in 2006, but it's been a hell of a long wait.

I played at U13, U15, 3rd XI, 2nd XI and some 1st XI for my club, Grappenhall, in the Cheshire league. I also played for the 1st XI at school, although my best achievement was being part of the U15 team that got to the Lords Taverners final at Trent Bridge in 1994. We had only one junior county player, but still managed to beat several teams with 5/6 county players and the odd England youth player. I bowled economically and took a few wickets on the way, including the scalp of an England U17 opener. In the final we got thrashed by Eton.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

My finest hour was taking 2 catches in the derbyshire schools under 15 final including a stunner where I covered 50 yards (50 yards now I' d need a car) and took the prize wicket of some kid I cant remember the name of fwho I think went on to play for derbyshire. he definatly played for derbyshire under 15s, although (and no doubt some will agree) if you get selected for a county under 12 side your in - if you dont get in then you never will. Played for a club side up to about 98. Couldnt bat (although progress was being made) bowling was pants (that was improving too) and often found myself in garath batty land - not bowling or batting, only paying for the priviledge. Work commitments have stopped any resurgnace , but I've a feeling that will change next year. (although maybe at a different club)