2007 averages - Young batsmen, old bowlers

Alan Cope, who had such a good India tour, topped the batting averages (Seren Waters and Stuart Meaker had higher averages but did not play enough to qualify) with his 61 against Harrow the innings of the season. He also made his first OC hundred at home � all four centuries came from players under 25. Dane Groenveld, back for a sabbatical from Australia, was in awesome form and played some thrilling attacking innings. Rob Merry found good form, but Johnny Gates, after a good start, again struggled. He will come good and few players deserve success more than him. Damien Hill was unable to capture his form of 2006, and Matt Crump was surprisingly out of sorts other than in the Brewers Cup final.

While his body may show signs of ageing, Michael Chetwode continues to be our most parsimonious bowler and yet again he tops the averages. You have to go back more than two decades to find the last time he was not either the leading wicket-taker or topped the averages. Another not-quite-so-old oldie, Henry Watkinson, equaled Chetwode's 11 wickets, while only Matt Crump, two decades Chetwode's junior, had a double-wicket tally. Alex Craven was the pick of the cup bowlers, although Cope had his moments in the Brewers Cup, but we lacked a spinner. Graham Webb, two years off 50, came back for the cup and showed what a class act he remains . He is also still able to fit into the whites he wore at school ... and how many of us can say that, Tristan?

Click here for the full averages

Tour No. 6 ... South Africa

Having organised their final tour to India in February/March 2007, Rick Johnson and Martin Williamson have passed the reigns over to Ed Henderson, Rob Merry and Tristan Rosenfeldt, who are pleased to announce the destination for the next tour. Having debated many diverse and interesting options, ranging from the Caribbean to a Middle East/Western Australia tour, the unanimous decision and natural place to go next was Southern Africa.

So to formally announce it, the OCCC will be undertaking their 6th major overseas tour to….Zimbabwe! Only joking, we will be gracing Zambia and South Africa with our presence over New Year 2008-09.

Here are some details regarding the itinerary from which we hope to start getting commitment from players, families, WAG’s and legends (M. Payne) regarding attendance. With just over a year to organise the tour, support and help from anyone will be much appreciated and tour details will be continually provided and updated.

Provisional itinerary

Christmas Day/Boxing Day 2008 Players will no doubt be resisting the temptation to indulge in the festive spirit at home and a boot camp in the Welsh valleys has been discussed for those with intentions to hit the ground running in Africa, or have alterior motives to one day captain the club!
Saturday December 27, 2008 Afternoon flight to Lusaka, Zambia. Breakfast arrival (28th December). Day of leisure (golf, pool, sleep) at 5* hotel culminating in ‘Welcome to Africa’ dinner.
Sunday December 28, 2008 Game 1 v. Zambian Team (TBC but potentially a National side or a British High Commision side)
Monday December 29 – Tuesday December 30, 2008 Safari (Details of Safari TBC)
Wednesday December 31, 2008 AM flight to Cape Town, check into 5* Waterfront hotel and prepare to see in New Year 2009.
Wednesday December 31 – Friday January 9, 2009 OCCC in Cape Town. Based at 5* Waterfront hotel. The following is being arranged for the stay in Cape Town:

Three games plus the inaugural OCCC 20/20 game. The tour organisational team is working it’s upmost to get the team playing at Newlands and a first OCCC game under lights is very much a possibility.

Trip up Table Mountain for that perfect team photo.

Day at the Beach, however, Camps Bay (10 minutes from Cape Town city centre) is no West Whittering!

Adrenaline Junkie Day – Bungee Jumping followed by Shark diving! For those less inclined to this lifestyle, deep sea fishing will be an option.

Tour of Robben Island – tour led by former political prisoners.

Township Visit.

There will of course be the usual OCCC frolics:

Daily fines.

‘D*ck of the Day’.

Rosenfeldt Quiz Night/Hobbs and Watkinson cheating challenge.

Plus, we are pleased to announce, the Afrikaans food challenge – www.mishtancafewillbetamecomparedtothis.com

Friday January 9, 2009 PM flight to Lusaka, Zambia. Check in to another ridiculous 5* hotel.
Saturday January 10, 2009 Final game against local Zambian team.
Sunday January 11, 2009 – Monday January 12, 2009 Potentially a River Safari. Plus Victoria Falls visit, the end of tour Dinner to be held whilst the touring squad looks out over the falls (as promised by Mr. Ed Henderson)
Tuesday January 13, 2009 Flight back to London, another OCCC tour successfully completed.

Well I hope that has slightly whetted your appetite for this next adventure. This is still very much a rough itinerary and is of course subject to change (most notably the dates and times of the safaris) but the main structure of the tour (flying in and out of Zambia etc.) will remain.

The cost of the tour will be around the £2000 mark, and we will be looking for a real commitment from people with a non refundable deposit in late January 2008. We are working hard to make sure it really will be a trip not to be missed, plus, the kit is going to be brilliant!

All you students, unemployed or those put off by the price-tag, don’t worry, payment options spread over the year will be available, and we can come to agreements between us, don’t be afraid to ask. We just need that initial commitment.

The three of us are incredibly excited about this tour and all are welcome, whether you are a whole family, a cricketer, a partner or just an enthusiastic supporter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with any of us if you would like more information or have any advice or contacts for us out in Southern Africa, sponsorship of course always welcome!

Regular updates regarding the tour will be found on the Old Cranleighan Cricket Club Website.

Rob, Ed and Tristan

rmerry@deloitte.co.uk
edward.henderson@1thesanctuary.com
tristanrosenfeldt@hotmail.com

Hobbs ... is this the end?

Peter Hobbs, the most reluctant cricketer since Rick Johnson, admits that he “might have played for the last time” after another failed comeback in Australia. He sent the club’s match report, together with a physical update. “The toe is screwed now for about a month - whole foot was swollen and couldn't walk for two days!! Doc wanted to drill into my toenail....errhh no.”

“Scots won the toss and elected to bat. Hobbsy and I opened the bowling with Hobbs getting absolutely carted all over the ground. His big toenail came loose after ball one but he battled on to return figures of around 80 off 6 (I’m going on memory here it could’ve been a lot worse) .… plenty of dropped catches, the highlight being Hobbsy copping one direct on the left nut while out on the boundary (he let it bounce a foot in front of him and watched it connect directly… then the next ball almost repeated the dose and hit him on the chest, to the delight of both teams).