The tour that never was

In a recent issue of The Wisden Cricketer there was a special supplement on Sri Lanka and it contained an account of a tour made by the OCCC to the island. But the account of the tour might differ from the rain-soaked reality …

Day 3 After a day shopping we hit the nets. For a while we are pretty impressed with our efforts and then a local school turns up and starts practising alongside. It is quickly clear that their 11-year-olds are far better in every department than us. Our captain, who fancies himself as being quick, sidles over and offers to bowl at a kid barely higher than the stumps. The first half-volley fizzes back past the skipper at knee height. He feigns a back injury and sulks. We retreat from battle, the mocking laughter of the children ringing in our ears. Our one slow bowler develops the yips after three balls and refuses to play again.


Day 8 Almost all of us travel south to the beach resort of Bentota, the exception being our captain who is so ill that he has to remain behind, refusing to leave his hotel room despite the pleas of the staff that they need his room. He adds to his own misery by misreading the instructions on the packet of Imodium and taking 18 rather than the suggested two. We make the most of the beach, and later the captain’s absence to hold a late-night fines session.

Click here to download the PDFs of the article. Page One | Page Two

Season ends with a win at Elstead

OCs 256 for 9 (Johnson 63, Watkinson 38, Cope 29, Gates 24*, Henderson 22) beat Elstead 166 (Boxhall 30, Crump T 2-7, Williamson 2-16) by 90 runs

We finished our season with an emphatic 90-run win at Elstead, a new fixture and a pleasant way to complete a most successful summer. A record of 12 wins, two draws and the one defeat is probably the best in the club’s 118-year history.

Click here for the full report.

South Africa 2009 the next tour?

The new era of OC touring began last night at The Angel in Thames Ditton when Tristan Rosenfeldt, Rob Merry and Ed Henderson agreed to succed Rick Johnson and Martin Williamson as tour organisers.

A long discussion about destinations ensued and the happy trio went to away to examine the possibilities. The favourite is a two-week jaunt to South Africa, with a shorter trip to Dubai the alternative. Damian Hill suggested Devon.

Prices, availability and interest is being researched and a more concrete proposal will be circulated to all the club shortly.

In the meantime, contact Tristan, Rob or Ed for more information.

Meaker spills the beans

In August, Stuart Meaker played two Tests and three ODIs for England Under-19s against Pakistan. In the September issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, Jenny Thompson spoke to him.

Why he’s special

Originally from Durban, he moved to England aged 12 with his mother and sisters and Cranleigh School immediately offered him a sports scholarship for cricket and rugby, both of which he played at junior provincial level. He is strong at hockey, water polo and athletics, too. But cricket is his major sport and he has come through Surrey and national age groups to be an England Under-19 fast bowler. He also plays for Surrey 2nds. Like another tall, blond Stuart (Broad) he has a good action and is quick (around 80mph) and aggressive. He can swing it both ways and his batting is improving.

England or South Africa?

“It’s a tricky question. My grandparents are sort-of Rhodesian but they’re relatively English. They had their roots there but we were never strongly South African. We were of Dutch origin. I still love my home country but England has become my home.”

Rugby or cricket?

“My main sport was rugby. I could have played for Surrey youth and I played provincial stuff but I wasn’t ever going to compete to be a professional, I’m too small. I stopped growing at 6ft. It’s unfair. But then again the speed comes from the chest and arm; I’m quite a skiddy bowler.”

He bowls like Brett Lee ...

“I wish I could bowl as fast as him. I’m not too far off him looks-wise, anyway.”

... but has also been compared to Allan Donald …

“Really? He’s my hero. Growing up I watched him on TV. I used to love how aggressive he was. I almost used to model my action on his.”

… and there’s similar aggression

“Certainly, if I’m fired up for a game, I’ll try to get stuck into the batsmen, have a few words and unsettle them. If it’s a close game, I’ll get more fired up. I used to have a housemaster who was in the military, Mick Haddock, and his favourite motto was ‘Never give up’. It’s been drummed into me. If people around you are giving their all, that’s
what you’ve have to do.”

What he says about himself

I need to work on my action – getting the pace and control together.

What they say about him

Stuart Welch - Cranleigh School coach

“He’s a fantastic prospect and has all the attributes to play first-class cricket. We’ve been working on trying to get him to stand up more and swing it away consistently. He’s raw. At times he just wants to run in and bowl as quick as he can. Batting, he has a talent, he just needs to play against better players. But he’s worked hard to become a No.6 or 7. He doesn’t get flustered, he’s a tough nut. The tactical side lets him down at times but he can learn that. What you can’t teach is bowling 80mph and striking the ball well. He’s as talented as Rikki Clarke, whom I’ve also coached: whether he goes on is down to how much he wants it.”

Mark Butcher - Surrey captain

“He came away on our pre-season tour to India and he impressed everyone with his athleticism and his attitude.”

Rory Hamilton-Brown - England U-19 and Surrey junior team-mate

“His season has gone up and up and up and the England call is richly
deserved.”