Yes, yes, I know, I’m a little bit late. So, please accept my apologies, I have been hob knobbing with the rich and famous this week at Ascot. I was able to grab a quick chat with Charles (not HRH Charles but Charlie the uber driver), he recommended a bat first day this weekend.
Anyway, enough about what I’ve been up to, lets concentrate on team news, again another frustrating week for the selection committee. I’ve decided to change the batting order this week so we'll start with the 4XI.
They travel to Grays to face Horndon on an artificial wicket. Geoff Gullett (4.5m) skippers what is a very youthful team. Ronnie Street (2.5m) deservedly keeps his place in the team after making the team of the week. He is joined by Tharun Shanmuganand (2.6m), James McCartney (4.5m) and Henry McCartney (2.5m). It also sees a return to action for Joe McCarthy (4m) who adds the experience.
The Scout verdict – Tough match but looking to consolidate 3rd position. Player to watch – Matt Evans – Wise head with the bat, spin king with the ball.
The 3XI have a home game, I see champagne corks popping everywhere in celebration. They face Epping and just 3 points separate both teams, so a tight game expected. Four players who appeared in the Team of the Week, namely Sas Muthuraaman (3.7m), Ravi Sandaname (3.5m) and Vinny Kumar (4.9m) together with Team of the Week regular Sam Stannard (4.6m) will play key roles to push the team forward.
The Scout verdict – Two evenly matched teams, could go either way. Player to watch – Deepak Kumar – Can be devastating with the bat on his day.
On the Main Square at The Rec this week will be the 2XI, led by skipper Michael Gray (5m). They come up against table toppers Frenford. Duncan Page (4m) takes the gloves whilst there is a recall for Andrew Freeman (4.5m). Dave De Jong (4.6m) and Alex Ellis (4.5m) will look to get the team off to a solid start.
The Scout verdict – Disciplined performance required. Player to watch – Rohit Duhan – can fire with bat and ball.
The 1XI travel to old foes Goresbrook hoping for a change in luck and something to go right for them this season. Captain Tom Willats (6.5m) calls up Daryl Woodford (7.5m) to add some bowling firepower. Two other changes of note from last week sees the return of Michael Edwards (5.4m) in place of Carts, whilst Andrew Love takes the scorebook from Dave Gaylor.
The Scout verdict – A wounded team waiting to resurrect. Player to watch – All – looking for the good vibes again.
That’s it then. Selection has been chaotic at best, a nightmare at worst for our hard-working captains. It can be a full-time job getting 4 teams out every week, so they deserve our thanks. If you see one of those captains in the clubhouse at the weekend, buy them a drink as a small appreciation of what they do for this club. And don’t forget your fantasy league captain pick.
Enjoy your cricket wherever you are, take plenty of sunscreen and water with you and fingers crossed the cricketing gods are smiling on our teams. Until next week, bonnet de douche Rodney…!