Minor Counties
A two-match tour to the Netherlands last week has buoyed new-look Norfolk for
the challenges ahead that include attempting to win the Minor Counties
Championship title outright for the first time in 95 years (Michael Austin
writes). Carl Rogers, the opening batsman, has succeeded Paul Bradshaw as
captain, Chris Borrett is installed as vice-captain and Chris Brown, the off
spinner, is starting his first full season as coach, but the development of
young, local players remains a priority.
Jaik Mickleburgh, who turned 18 last month, is among them. He scored 51 when
Norfolk lost by seven wickets to the Netherlands, having made 49 in the
84-run win over the Netherlands A team in Rotterdam.
Norfolk will meet Hertfordshire at Horsford, near Norwich, when the season
begins with eight MCCA Trophy group matches on Sunday.
Women's cricket
Change is the watchword for the elite, with the whole kit and caboodle getting
an overhaul (Sarah Potter writes). The figure-hugging adidas strip will be
aired in the summer - when South Africa and India tour - but of more
immediate impact is the stride towards professionalism for eight of the
players through the Cricket Foundation's Chance to shine contracts, and the
appointment last week of Mark Lane as the England head coach.
Lane took up the role in Australia in February on a temporary basis when Mark
Dobson resigned a few days before the Ashes Test in Bowral, which England
won. He begins officially on Monday.
On the same day Jenny Gunn and Lydia Greenway will start their Chance to shine
contracts. The other six contracted players started this week, coaching
girls in schools and clubs.
Schools
HMC schools have taken a bold step towards reviving traditional standards of
conduct by issuing a notice to be handed to umpires before each match
(Douglas Henderson writes). In brief, it asks umpires to enforce the
provisions of the Spirit of Cricket.
The latter is a preamble to the Laws rather than a Law in itself. However, Law
42 states that it is the responsibility of captains to ensure that the game
is conducted not only within the Laws but also within the spirit of the
game.
Therefore, if a fielding team indulge in the recent practice of “making more
noise” or the more ancient one of “sledging”, the umpires are asked to
intervene. The sanction, after two warnings, is to invite the teacher in
charge to remove his captain from the field (an umpire has no power to
dismiss him under the Laws) for ten minutes, without substitute.
The two Masters in charge discuss arrangements for any match in advance,
usually on the day. It would be almost unthinkable for one to propose to
follow HMC guidelines and the other to disagree. It has been the absence of
any guidelines which has led to the appalling behaviour all too often seen
on school cricket fields and has even led to the cancellation of future
fixtures.
James Kirtley, the Sussex and England fast bowler, played for Clifton in the
Sir Garfield Sobers schools’ tournament in Barbados in the early 90s. This
inspired him to set up a similar kind of Under-19 schools’ tournament as a
pre-season event in Dubai, where the facilities are outstanding. The
inaugural competition, held in late March, involved Eastbourne College,
Wellington College, St Bede’s School and Worth Abbey.
After a round-robin [all playing all] section, Eastbourne defeated Wellington
in the final. In the final, Max Finzel and Oli Smith narrowly failed to
notch what would both have been excellent centuries with scores of 99 and 97
respectively in an Eastbourne total of 233 for three in 40 overs. In reply,
Ed Lowe extended an impressive run of batting with a quick-fire 83 before
succumbing to the guile of Aaron Saunders. But it was Harry Clarkson-Bennett
who ripped the heart out of the Wellington middle order with a fine return
of four for 17 from five overs. Schools interested in taking part over
Easter 2009 should contact Roger Myall on 07976 685024.
Another fine initiative was by MCC, who took a schools tour to India to
promote “The Spirit of the Game”. A fortunate party of 14, who had all
expenses paid by the club, represented the MCC under the supervision of
Roger Knight, its former Secretary, Sandy Ross [Master i/c at Caterham], and
Paul Atkins as Coach. The party was chosen largely by Peter Deakin of
Charterhouse based on recommendations by MCC Match Managers [against
schools].
The festival in Chandigarh was in declaration format, though with the side
batting first having to declare after 55 overs. A record of one loss and two
wins – all played in excellent spirit - made this a memorable pre-season
trip, with Will Vanderspar (Eton), Adam Ball and Adam Riley (both Bexley
Grammar School), Hugo Snape (Tonbridge), Sam Billings (Haileybury) and Dan
Stickels (Homewood) shining individually.
Now in its fourth year of publication, the Preparatory Schools’ Cricket
Almanac admirably fills a gap which could not possibly be filled by Wisden
itself. Each preparatory school, the cricketing cradle of many of the game’s
future stars, has a double page spread with very full details of the 2007
season. With a Foreword by David Gower OBE and a variety of other
interesting and often quirky articles, this is a most welcome addition to
the cricket-lover’s bookshelf. It may be ordered on 01684-541167 or at
psca@yahoo.co.uk
In a low-scoring game, Magdalen College School required two to win against The
Perse and one to tie off the last ball. The ball went through to the keeper
and the batsman was run out attempting the single. A great game to start the
season.
Showing the virtues of pre-season tours, in this case to Spain, Westminster’s
Alex Rankine scored 157 from 149 balls against the Lords and Commons, who
managed to hold out for a draw chasing 244 for 8.
After last year’s glorious April sunshine, the weather reverted to its normal
pattern of raining heavily on the first day of the schools’ season, with few
completed matches and many low scores. Douglas Henderson
Results:
Malvern 161-8 dec, *Stowe 164-3
Colston’s 101, *St Albans 102-0
*Stowe 175-8 (40 overs), Reading Blue Coat 156-9
Stowe won by 10 runs (D/L)
Perse 118-8 (35 overs), *Magdalen College School 117-9
Caterham 120-3 (35 overs), *Epsom 121-4
*Wellingborough 222-5 (45 overs), Bedford Modern 141-7
Southampton Institute 134-7 (35 overs), *RGS Guildford 135-5
*KCS Wimbledon 186, Merchant Taylors', Northwood 57-0
(rain)
*Merchant Taylors', Northwood 224-6, Watford GS 102-4
(rain)
XL Club 107-7 dec (H Philip 5-23), *Fettes 108-3
*Westminster School 244-8 dec (A Rankine 157), Lords & Commons
164-8
*Loretto 85 (40 overs), Merchiston Castle 89-1
*Stowe 212 (R Patel 5-41), Merchant Taylors' 103-3 (rain)
*Rugby 203-7 dec, Repton 30-1 (rain)
Aldenham 149-6 (40 overs), *Haberdashers' Aske's 48-1 (rain)
Woodhouse Grove 209-8 (50 overs), *St Peter's, York 163
*Chigwell School 206-7dec (S Betts 5-45), Dulwich College 209-3
Grasshoppers CC 189-7 dec, *St George’s, Weybridge 190-6
St John’s, Leatherhead 58, *Sevenoaks 60-1
Judd 51, *Sevenoaks 52-2
*Sevenoaks 171-9 (30 overs), Old Oaks 63
Gresham’s 79, *Perse 80-3
Edinburgh Academy 165-8 (45 overs), *Fettes 162
Culford 171-6 dec, *Woodbridge 84-3
Nottingham HS 185-4 (50 overs), *Uppingham 186-7
Wellingborough 240-7 dec (J Dunkely 100*), *Uppingham 205-7
*Canford 260-3 (40 overs)(C Ridley 101 not out), Wimborne 173-4
