Averages 2015 - Batsmen dominate as bowlers toil

Given that the cricket week on Jubilee was played out on some of the most batsmen-friendly pitches we have ever used, it is unsurprising that the 2015 averages make better reading for the batsmen than the bowlers.

Brad Scriven, who like his brother missed the early part of the summer, including the Cricketer Cup matches, through injury, scored the most runs thanks to an excellent cricket week in which he scored over 300 runs in four innings, including two hundreds.  The week also saw two of the most remarkable knocks. Mike Burgess slammed 131 in XX minutes on the Wednesday while Will Rollings – 52 runs in 13 OC matches going into the game against Buccaneers – broke Nigel’s Paul’s OC 52-year-old  record for the highest score .  Eds Copleston, returned from his sojourn to the USA, broke Paul’s record for the most career runs while his fourth OC hundred same 15 years after his third. In all, we scored nine hundreds in the season - easily a record, as were the six in the week.

The bowlers suffered, especially the seamers, and 52-year-old Michael Chetwode was the joint leading wicket-taker with the marginally younger Jack Scriven.  Scriven also managed one of our two five-wicket hauls, the other being Seren Waters’ 7 for 32 in a losing cause in the Cricketer Cup at Eton.

We fielded more players than usual, but it was heartening that a lot were recent leavers.

The averages are, regrettably, incomplete as we are still waiting for a copy of the scorecard from Millfield who have told us “it will appear at some point before the start of next season”. When it does, the records will be amended accordingly.

Qualification: Five matches or five wickets

Duncan Allan joins Seren Waters in Kenya's side

The investment in cricket at Cranleigh and the hard work done by coach Stuart Welch was again in evidence as Duncan Allan became the second OC to play a full ICC one-day international when he played for Kenya against Netherlands in Holland on September 12. What made it all the more pleasing was that Seren Waters, who made his own international debut in 2008 and is now a regular member of the team, was in the middle with Allan during his first innings. Allan scored 27 and took a wicket, while Waters top-scored with 71.

Allan, who last week was given a one-year contract by Cricket Kenya, made headlines during the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier in Ireland in August when he was named Player of the Tournament for his 455 runs which included two centuries.

In early July, Kenya's U-19 cricketers played as the men's team in the ICC Africa Twenty20 Division One tournament. With Kenya's presence in next year's World Twenty20 Qualifier guaranteed due to the country's ODI status, it was a chance for the U-19 players to get time in the middle ahead of the U-19 World Cup Qualifier that followed two weeks later, while also affording some insight into who could hack it against other teams at the next level.

Allan shone at that tournament in Uganda, finishing fourth overall in the run-makers' list behind three Namibian batsmen, another indication of his class. "I was very happy with that and managed to get a fiftyagainst the Namibia national side, which I was very happy with because they're a quality side," Allan said.

The 19-year-old's journey to the senior team might not have been possible, though, if it wasn't for his older brother's desperation for a training buddy when he came back from a summer camp as a kid. "He needed someone to bowl at," remembers Allan. "So he pretty much taught me how to play when I was really young, gave me a bat and said, 'Right, you've gotta stand here and hit it while I bowl at you.'" Allan's mother is originally from Australia (and he was born there before arriving in Nairobi as an infant), and her side of the family did their best to mould his passion according to their heritage.

"Having a mom who is Australian, grandparents who are Australian, I've definitely been brought up to follow that Australian team that dominated everyone for 10 years or so," Allan said. "I think my grandmother was quite keen for me to support Australia, so every Christmas I was getting DVDs of Bradman, Warne, McGrath, all of those guys."

When he turned 14, Allan went to join his best friend, Waters, at Cranleigh School. In his first year, Allan also played alongside England Lions fast bowler Stuart Meaker, while honing his skills under the tutelage of Welch, who said Allan stood out among the new pupils for his toughness.

"I remember hitting him several times [with] the bowling machine at 80+ mph and he did not flinch," Welch said. "His steely determination and how tough he was are the things that stood out in his early days at Cranleigh."
Kenya U-19 head coach Joseph Angara echoed Welch's sentiments. After watching Allan carry the junior team almost single-handedly in Ireland with a string of impressive performances, Angara thinks he is ready to contribute positively to the senior side.
"He's a hard worker, he's disciplined, he's so composed, and I think he's a fighter," Angara said. "He loves his game, he loves to bat, he loves to bowl. He's a person who wants to win every game. Looking at Allan the way he's batted, he deserves a call-up, and why not."

The selection to play for Kenya in the Netherlands means time off from studies at the University of Queensland, where Allan hopes to break into the first-grade side as fast as possible. That could be a stiff task, considering the UQCC roster is already chock full of talent and has claimed the one-day title in the Queensland premier grade competition four times in the last five years. Last season, several Queensland Bulls players including Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon and Chris Hartley guided the club to a one-day and Twenty20 Cup double.

Allan's father is a safari guide, and while the teenager was raised on expeditions that got him up close to elephants, lions and other wildlife, playing first-class cricket in the ICC's four-day competition for Associates is a different but welcome adventure. "I've only played a couple of two- and three-day matches, but that's what I enjoy the most," Allan said. He hopes that he'll be able to help erase some of the disappointment the country suffered when they failed to win a single match in Group A at the World Cup earlier this year. "You saw against Australia in that one match that they can actually play, and they've got a lot of ability, but it just didn't come to the fore throughout the tournament, which is a real shame."

As one of several players who have signed new contracts with Cricket Kenya, Allan has the support of the administration. He wants to repay that investment not only with a good showing in the Intercontinental Cup, but by helping Kenya get back to the next World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. "Qualifying for the next World Cup in 2015, that would be the main aim," Allan said. "In a year or two when the qualifying process starts, I want to try and be a main part of the team by then. That would be fantastic."

Seren Waters - Kenya's young beacon

The extent to which Kenya have regressed as a cricketing force can be seen from their fortunes at the World Cup. Two tournaments ago, in 2003, they reached the semi-finals and were being talked up as a possible 11th Test nation, but in the intervening years they have been chastised for their lack of investment in grassroots cricket as well as their questionable selection policy. Nevertheless their youthful squad of players, residing both in and outside the country, indicates a willingness to rebuild and move forward. And no one symbolises this new approach more than their opening batsman Seren Waters.

Kenya have nine players embarking on their maiden World Cup, in a 15-man squad that also contains the experienced heads of 39-year-old Steve Tikolo and 32-year-old Thomas Odoyo (both set to play in their fifth campaigns). While speaking to Waters, with his straight-talking, composed demeanour, it is easy to forget he is one of the new boys. Only his fearlessness is the hallmark of youth.

"It hasn't been the best couple of years for Kenya cricket in terms of results," he reflects. "We have some very talented players out there and on any given day I think we can play some exceptional cricket. I don't think there is much point going into a World Cup being daunted at the prospect of facing the bigger nations."

Waters left Kenya at 13 to enrol at Cranleigh School in Surrey, before going on to study Human Geography at the University of Durham (where he is part of the MCCU set-up). In that time his cricket went from strength to strength; beginning at the Kongonis Cricket Club in Nairobi, he went on to represent Surrey through the age groups (scoring a double-hundred on debut for Surrey Under-17s in 2008) and ended his school career with a record-breaking 900-odd runs in his final season. It was only a few months after leaving Cranleigh that he received his first call-up to the full Kenyan side to face Ireland in an ODI at his home ground.

"I hadn't really even considered coming anywhere near playing at international level," he says. "I then had this opportunity to play for Kenya and it all happened so quickly, in the space of a few months. I got chucked in and while I was out there I realised that I could actually do this and I wasn't particularly out of my depth."

An accomplished 41 off 74 balls at the top of the order on debut was impressive - a maiden half-century (74) against a strong South African side in Kimberley, in only his fourth ODI, was imperious.

"I've stepped up levels all through my career - from school to university, to then playing for Surrey. Of course I was nervous, but in the first game against South Africa I think I got rid of some of the nerves of playing these massive players, but I only got 15. In the second game, in Kimberley, I hit a couple for fours and started to really believe I could handle myself at this level.

"I've been going my whole life watching it on TV and thinking, 'There's no way I can do that,' but once I was out there, it felt like I belonged there. And then Jacques Kallis runs in to bowl!"

It is the impressive manner of Waters' performances at each elevation in class that has given the Kenyan management no qualms in burdening him with the responsibility of holding their World Cup campaign together. In the last month he has excelled in such a role scoring two centuries, one on their tour of India, against the Gujarat Cricket Association XI (the only Kenyan player to do so) and an impressive 126 not out against Netherlands in their last warm-up match, in Colombo.

It was that Netherlands knock in particular that displayed his affinity for the role of anchor: he faced 150 deliveries (with a strike-rate of 84) and looked a compact, classy stroke-maker.

"I'm not someone who can go out there and blast 70 off 40 balls," he says. "I've played more three- and four-day cricket, so I've been trying to adapt my game to suit my one-day role. I haven't got as much flair as the other batsmen at the top of the order, who are more natural power-hitters, and with spin playing quite a prevalent role in the subcontinent, I've had to try and work out different scoring areas to what I might be used to."

Those who have worked closely with Waters are quick to point to his professional approach to all aspects of the game. Comparisons have been drawn with Rahul Dravid and Mahela Jayawardene in his poise and unflustered nature at the crease; these two players give you the impression that they have an eternity to play some of the best bowlers in the world. Waters would do well to take note: he is set to face the likes of Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, Lasith Malinga and Shoaib Akthar - all armed with the new ball.

"I've never really faced anyone as quick as these bowlers, so I don't really know what to expect," he says. "I've done a bit of work with a bowling machine at 90mph but that doesn't really prepare you to go out in the middle and face these players."

Should Waters continue his rise through the ranks, Kenya's biggest struggle as an Associate nation will be keeping hold of him - he also qualifies for England. Full-member nations provide greener pastures, brighter stages and, more importantly, stability (though not necessarily - just ask Ed Joyce). Unsurprisingly the young Kenyan is wise to the opportunities that a good World Cup would bring; having been awarded summer contracts with Surrey for the last couple of seasons, a full-time county contract would almost certainly be in the offing. Talk of being tempted by England is instantly dismissed, but the lure of Test cricket may prove too juicy a carrot to pass up.

"For me, Test cricket is the best format of the game. It's what I enjoy watching and I believe it's the purest form," he says. "Kenya is my home and growing up there helped me achieve everything that I have today. To turn my back on that would be disrespectful. If one day the opportunity arises that I have a chance of playing Test cricket for England then I would have to consider it, but the thought of pushing Kenya aside for my own selfish gain is not something that sits well with me."

The ICC's decision to curb the participation of associate nations in the 2015 World Cup has been a major talking point in the few days leading up to the 2011 openers. The performances of the minor countries will come under greater scrutiny, with the more cynical onlookers inclined to believe that the ICC will be hoping they falter unceremoniously, thus justifying their outlook.

The Associate nations will need to show the bigwigs that they have a part to play in such showcase events. That will be heavily reliant on impressive performances and consistent signs of improvement. The fortunes of Waters will be indicative of this. One (more) giant step-up for the likes of him could mean one sheepish u-turn for the ICC.

Vithushan Ehantharajah is a freelance writer, found regularly at sport.co.uk.

Seren Waters heads off to ICC Cricket World Cup

Seren Waters’ inclusion in Kenya’s squad for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup is a fantastic achievement for him and also for Cranleigh cricket.

Waters, who made his debut for Cranleigh’s 1st XI as a 14-year-old, broke the record aggregate of runs scored in a season in his final year, and is now on the books at Surrey while he studies at Durham University.

He made his Kenya debut against Ireland in October 2008, and the following month made his best ODI score of 74 against South Africa. In 14 full ODIs he has made 299 runs at 21.35.

His first-class debut for Kenya also came in October 2008, and in 2009 he made a career-best 157 not out against Canada, sharing a record third-wicket stand of 330 with Steve Tikolo.

His club cricket recently has been played at Weybridge, alongside another Kenya international, Abeed Janmohamed, and he has also played a number of times for the OCCC.

All Kenya’s matches in the World Cup can be seen on Sky Sports. Their first game is against Pakistan on February 23 (0900GMT).

Waters scores hundred at Lord's

Congratulations to Alan Cope and Seren Waters who faced off against each other at Lord’s on June 25 on the MCC Universities final. Seren opened the batting for Durham and scored 111 (188 mins, 134 balls, 10x4, 2x6) in their total of 328 for 6. Alan, captaining Loughborough, made 12 in their reply of 169 as Durham won by 159 runs.

Cope and Waters make history

A little piece of Cranleigh history will be made on Friday June 25 when two Old Cranleighans - Alan Cope and Seren Waters - line up against each other for Loughborough University and Durham University respectively in the MCC Universities Championship final at Lord’s.

Both captained Cranleigh School 1st XI and have scored hundreds for the OCCC. Alan, in his final year at Loughborough, is the current captain of his university side. Durham topped the table with 83 points, remaining unbeaten in their five matches, while Loughborough pipped Leeds/Bradford to come second, 30 points behind, thus qualifying for the final.

OC trio in first-class action

A remarkable day for Cranleigh and Old Cranleighan cricket on April 10 with three players in action in first-class matches.

At The Oval, Stuart Meaker was in action for Surrey against Derbyshire, taking 2 for 58 as Surrey struggled at the start of the County Championship season.

At Canterbury, Alan Cope was captaining Loughborough MCCU against Kent, while at Durham, Seren Waters took his debut first-class wicket for Durham MCCU against Nottinghamshire.

Waters and Meaker impress on centre stage

Many congratulations to Seren Waters who became the first Old Cranleighan to score a first-class hundred when he made an unbeaten 157 on the third day of Kenya’s ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Canada in Toronto. Waters shared a massive third-wicket stand of 330 with the veteran Steve Tikolo and Kenya went on to register a comprehensive win.

A day later and another young OC, Stuart Meaker, made his maiden first-class fifty, cracking 72 for Surrey against Essex in the Championship game at Chelmsford. The Surrey CCC website reported as follows:-

Stuart Meaker, who looked very comfortable in just his sixth Championship innings. Schofield and Meaker were chasing down the 400 and maximum batting points and had put on 125 for the seventh wicket until Ryan ten Doeschate came into the attack and found some swing, having Schofield caught behind for a brilliant 144.

The stage was then set for Meaker to take on the scoring and he went to a maiden First-Class half-century off 107 balls. He pulled well and was also strong off the back-foot through the off-side as he and Jade Dernbach took Surrey to 400, just two balls before the 120 overs were up. With maximum points in the bag they looked to push on, but Essex swiftly cleaned up the tail. The last three wickets falling for 24 runs, as Meaker was the last man out on 72.

Meaker followed by taking 2 for 91 and making 23 in the second innings, but it was not enough to prevent Essex coasting to an easy win.

Click here to watch video on the innings

Waters and spin sink Haileybury

Old Cranleighans 187 for 1 (Waters 103*, M Crump 35, T Crump 31*) beat Haileybury Hermits 186 (walker 93, Watkinson 4-58, Webb 2-30) by nine wickets with 23.5 overs to spare
Click here for match photos

A excellent 107 not out from Seren Waters helped us to an easy nine-wicket win over Haileybury Hermits in the first round of the Cricketer Cup, setting up a challenging second-round tie at Tonbridge in a fortnight.

The setting could not have been better, with the sun shining and hundreds of Old Cranleighans and their families lining the Jubilee boundary. The Red Arrows flew over shortly before the start of the game, and when Eds Copleston won the toss it seemed it was going to be our day all the way.

We started shakily,however, Henry Watkinson and Ed Henderson conceding 17 off the first two overs, but the pair stuck to their guns and reined the openers, and by the tenth over each had taken a wicket and Haileybury were struggling on 43 for 2.

Then came a stand that appeared to be setting them on their way to a formidable total as Nick Walker and Stewart put on 108 for the third wicket. We knew that Walker, whose first-class career with Derbyshire and Leicestershire ended in 2008, would be the danger man, and he set out his stall by smacking Watkinson for two sixes in his first ten balls.

Copleston then set the three-prong spin attack of Phil Roper, Graham Webb and Waters into operation. Initially it seemed as if Walker would continue to dominate, hitting Roper for four fours in eight deliveries, but the next 15 overs produced only two more boundaries. Walker was adept at milking the singles, but Stewart struggled to keep the strike rate up. He managed only one run in the first 38 balls he faced, and 22 of his 24 runs, made from 98 deliveries, were singles.

Roper was unlucky as twice Webb spilt catches off well-hit reverse sweeps, but in the end the pressure told. Copleston switched Webb to the bottom end and with his second ball he had Stewart stumped. Three overs later Waters bowled another Stewart, and then within two balls the innings completely came unstuck.

Gaur was well run-out trying to give the strike to Walker, and next ball Walker himself, limited to singles by tight bowling and good field-placing, was cleaned up by Webb. At 151 for 2 with 18 overs remaining and the pitch playing well, most spectators were talking of a target of 270 plus; nine overs later Haileybury were 171 for 6 and all at sea.

That set the scene for Watkinson, whose pace is a distant memory but who has become a canny death bowler, taking on the mantle which Mike Chetwode used to fulfil so skilfully. By relying on line and length, with the occasional slow full toss into the mix, he polished off the innings with three wickets in five deliveries.

Haileybury had lost their last eight wickets for 35 runs, and defending 186 needed a to hit the ground running. Perhaps the hour-long lunch break, during which former housemaster Roger Knight formally opened the pavilion, did for the visitors.

The opening attack was wayward – there were ten wides in as many overs – and Waters, in good form after a mediocre start to the summer, was savage on anything wide of the off stump, cutting and driving with elegance and power. Matt Crump was by no means going to play second fiddle, and he was as always strong off his legs.

As the hundred approached, both batsmen started taking more chances. Waters was inexplicably dropped at mid-on when in his forties, Crump not as fortunate soon after.

The arrival of Tom Crump only accelerated the finish, cracking four fours in nine balls. Waters, whose fifty came in 61 minutes off 64 deliveries, laid into the weary attack, racing to his second hundred, his second fifty taking only another 32 balls and 34 minutes. His was innings which oozed class, and it was a fitting end to a weekend which had started with his father being awarded the MBE for services to Kenyan cricket.

Waters excels on international stage

A remarkable fortnight for Seren Waters who made his national debut for Kenya in the Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland in Nairobi and followed with his full ODI debut a week later.

Against Ireland, Waters made 18 and 75 opening the innings, the latter described as being an innings of tremendous maturity which outshone efforts by many of his more senior colleagues. His second-innings effort was the highest by an OC in first-class cricket

He then scored 41 on his ODI debut, followed with 20 against Zimbabwe. In the two-match series in South Africa, he made 15 and finished with an excellent 74, more than double the next best by his team-mates.

Waters captained the school last summer and scored more than 900 runs, as well as playing some vital innings for Old Cranleighans, including a battling 68 in the Cricketer Cup final. He has played for various Surrey age groups and last summer played his club cricket for Weybridge in Surrey, a side captain by Kenya reject Abeed Janmohamed.

Click here for the Cricinfo report and here for Cricinfo’s profile of Seren.

Defeated but not disgraced

Old Malvernians 178 (Nash 70, Watkinson 4-14, Meaker 2-35) beat Old Cranleighans 152 (Waters 68) by 26 runs
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The dream of winning the Cricketer Cup in only our second year in the competition ended in the final at Old Deer Park as we lost to Old Malvernians by 26 runs. Nevertheless, we played superbly for three-quarters of the match and it was only in the dying overs that Malvern’s experience proved too much. They were the worthy winners but the youth of our side means that we should be a force to come for a number of years.

Malvern had a superb record in the competition, with five wins from five finals. Like us, they also made the final in their second year, although they went one better than we eventually managed.

Henry Watkinson won the toss and opted to field, hardly a surprise given that we had successfully chased in all four rounds. The pitch was dry and produced variable bounce, and Malvern found runs hard to come by. Stuart Meaker bowled a fiery opening spell, in contrast to Watkinson who relied on guile and accuracy and who took the first wicket in the sixth over, bowling Powell.

Watkinson’s opening spell of 5-2-4-1 set the benchmark, and Meaker got his reward four overs later when Mark Hardinges, who seven days earlier had steered Gloucestershire to a one-day win over Hampshire, dragged into his stumps for 2. Gifford looked capable of posing problems before he played an ugly cross-batted shot to Seren Waters, and at 31 for 3 in the 15th over, our tails were up.

Middlesex’s David Nash was clearly the danger man, and he found gaps with the skill expected of a professional, and with Franklin, the opener, he rebuilt the innings. Franklin should have been run-out with the score on 56 but Michael Chetwode fumbled a return to the bowler’s end with the batsman stranded mid pitch. However, we struck a crucial blow with the last delivery before lunch when Franklin tamely cut Matt Crump to Phil Roper at backward point for 29. We headed off in the better position, with Malvern 86 for 4 off 30 overs.

Nash and Usher batted well after the break, taking the total to 153 for 4 with judicious placement more than out-and-out aggression. In the innings overall there were only ten fours. In the final overs the batsmen hit out and, inevitably, wickets fell.

Nash perished for 70 to a tumbling catch from Roper and in the next over, the 46th, Meaker bowled Usher for 30. Watkinson then chipped in with two in two, and a brace of run-outs in the final over restricted Malvern to 178. Watkinson finished with excellent figures of 8-3-14-4 and the last six wickets had gone for 25 in five-and-a-bit overs.

The pitch continued to throw up puffs of dust and the outfield was slow, so it was a gettable target but not an easy one. The early sunshine had also given way to low cloud and the temperature had dropped into the 50s.

Waters top-edged the first ball he faced, a bouncer, over the keeper for four, and was struck by the second. But he showed composure beyond his years and was soon looking as assured as ever. Howard fell early, getting a leading edge, but that brought in Matt Crump, another young player in great touch.

Early shackles were broken when Waters twice lofted fours over midwicket, and Crump then joined in, surviving a half chance when he hammered the ball to the right of square leg who could only parry the ball.

Crump perished for 17 – one of three leg-befores against batsmen going back – and then Malvern’s seasoned spinners really tightened their grip on the game, backed by some excellent fielding. Abeed Janmohamed, such a class act in the semi-final, struggled to find his touch, but Waters kept things ticking along. Janmohamed departed for a 27-ball 3 (69 for 3) but Meaker sought to impose himself from the off.

The penultimate over before tea appeared to have swung the balance of the match, 15 coming off it including the day’s first six, a swing over long leg from Meaker. We headed off on 102 for 3 off 30, needing 77 to win in 20 overs with wickets in hand.

Whatever was served for tea, it perked up Malvern and pretty much did for us. Meaker fell lbw to the first ball after the restart and the pressure was on. James Halton, who specialises in run chases, looked up for it, but wasn’t able to stay long enough to make a difference.

Waters, who passed his fifty before tea, found it almost impossible to get enough of the strike. Eds Copleston was unable to push the ones needed to keep Waters at the striker’s end, although he did strike one sublime straight six.

The run-rate, which had hovered around four an over throughout, began to rise as the gloom worsened. Copleston perished trying to hit over the top, and three balls later Waters was bowled for a superb 68 as he tried to make up the lost ground.

From then on in we were always off the pace, although Tom Crump and Roper kept the flame flickering. Thirty three were needed off four, but Roper fell to a thick edge and then Crump was run-out after being sent back by Watkinson, who was bowled off the next ball to seal a deserved victory for Malvern.

The turnout was excellent, and many former and present OCCC players were in evidence, along with a good smattering of non cricketers and representatives of the school. There was a pleasant atmosphere, although staging the final at a ground under the Heathrow flight path was a downer.

Although the result was disappointing, everyone who has taken part in the competition for us this summer can be proud. As can the club and the school. Eight years ago we weren’t even in a knock-out tournament. In the interim we have won the Brewers Cup three times and the Cricket World Trophy once. Even participating in the Cricketer Cup was beyond our wildest dreams, and yet we achieved that and within two years we reached the final. We’ll just have to make sure that next year we go one better.

One last thought. In 2007, we became the first new side in the Cricketer Cup since it was expanded from 16 to 32 teams in its third year (1969). Our success has shown that there are strong sides out there who might not have been so four decades ago. Allowing some of these old boys’ teams into the competition can only bring new life to it, and the organisers should think about the value of looking at some expansion, adding new sides rather than waiting for old ones to drop out. It might mean a first qualifying round each year for the less successful teams, but that might be no bad thing either.

And now to the final

OCs 219 for 7 (Waters 57, M Crump 51) beat Old Alleynians 218 for 9 (Roy 57) by three wickets
Click here for match photos

After three convincing and yet relatively straightforward wins, the semi-final against Old Alleynians was a far tougher affair, although the margin of our victory – three wickets – rather distorted our fairly calm progress until a late flurry of wickets within sight of the finish. The result was a place in the final at only the second time of asking, vindication for the organisers in allowing a new side into the competition for the first time in 40 years last summer, and also for the strength of Cranleigh cricket.

We had lost Stuart Meaker days before the game, called into the England Under-19 side for the Test series against New Zealand, and 19-year-old James Halton, a batsman highly rated by Stuart Welsh, came into the side. The weather was a rare scorcer in this otherwise wretched summer, and Alleynians had little hesitation on batting when again Henry Watkinson lost the toss.

Alan Cope opened with a brace of wides, but Watkinson, as he has so often done, broke through with the new ball, although on a good batting pitch, runs came quickly, especially when width was offered. But the innings turned on two run-outs. The first was a brilliant example of team-work, a seemingly fruitless chase to deep midwicket, a diving flick back on the rope to Seren Waters who had chased all the way as well, a bullet-like throw and a smart flick from Will Howard to leave the batsman inches short seeking a seemingly comfortable second.

Chris Jordan of Surrey, allowed to play on the condition he didn’t bowl fast, nonchalantly flicked Michael Chetwode off his legs to get off the mark and it appeared we were in for a long day in the field. But in the next over Roy pushed to point, Jordan called for a risky single only to be turned back and was never in the frame as Eds Coipleston’s throw scored a direct hit at the bowler’s end. Not needed as a batsman in the three previous rounds, it was his first real contribution to the cup run, but possibly it was a match-winning one. Jordan trooped off as the disbelieving Cranleighans mobbed the man with the plastacine arm.

Rattled, the Alleynians then found themselves pegged down by the teenage spinning duo of Waters and Phil Roper. Waters’ nagging legspin from the top end was hard to get away, while Roper, brought into the side in the previous round for the crocked Graham Webb, showed real potential.


Lunsh was entertaining, a barbeque on the run as Rick Johnson slightly miscalculated the time needed to cook chicken, but our young batsmen again came up with the goods when we started our chase. Howard and Waters made another good start, but hopes of another Howard onslaught were ended when he was caught behind for 20.

Matt Crump joined Waters and the scoring rate picked up as they took the score to 101 before Waters was caught behind off the bowling of Sivakumaran for 57. Cope arrived at the crease and looked at ease until falling LBW following an injudicious reverse sweep to a straight ball from Jordan, bowling off spin. It was not the first time the stroke had caused his downfall and won’t be the last.

The scoring rate had been good all the way through - however, with the arrival of Abeed Janmohamed, it picked up markedly. Hooking, pulling and driving the Dulwich opening bowler to distraction, Janmohamed made 35 in quick time before being caught on the boundary at long-leg going for another six. At 182 for 3, with Matt Crump again making batting look easy, we had one foot in the final. But Dulwich never gave up and, with the fall of the fourth wicket our lower middle order was exposed for the first time in the competition. A mini-collapse followed as we lost three further wickets in short order, including that of Crump to a top-edged swipe to leg for 51. Luckily, time was irrelevant and Tom Crump, aided first by Copleston and then by Roper, finally saw us home with Watkinson and Chetwode nervously padded up on the boundary.

“We have made it to the final at our first real attempt which is a testament to the strength of the school's cricket at the moment,” noted former captain and super veteran Michael Chetwode. “We mustn't forget that more than half this side are under 21 and, of the others, only two are over 30 (no names!). Dulwich came with what appeared to be a strong and well organised side but they should have been blown away. It's a credit to their tenacity and fighting spirit that they were in with a chance (however small) at the end despite looking down and out for long periods. It also shows that we can't be complacent in any facet of our game. We meet Old Malvernians on August 17 at Richmond and they will prove to be an altogether tougher assignment.”

Cheltenham brushed aside as semi-final looms

OCs 183 for 1 (Howard 89*, M Crump 69*) beat Old Cheltonians 182 (Lawrence 98, Brooksbank 29, M Crump 3-25, Watkinson 2-28, Waters 2-37, Chetwode 1-39, Cope 1-50) by nine wickets

On a glorious day in the almost perfect setting of Cheltenham College, we progressed through to the semi-finals of the Cricketer Cup with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Old Cheltonians, a victory achieved with almost 24 overs to spare.

The day got off to a dream start when Alan Cope struck first ball, the Cheltonian opener padding up to a delivery which held its line. For the next 45 minutes things went rather awry, Cope in particular coming in for some stick. At 70 for 1 after 12 overs, the home side seemed poised to rack up a large score on a good pitch. But Michael Chetwode and Seren Waters (younger than two of his bowling partner’s daughters) re-established control and then Matt Crump ripped through the middle order with three quick wickets, the best courtesy of an excellent leg-side stumping from Will Howard.

Cheltenham’s other opener, David Lawrence, familiar to members of the OCHC where he spends his winters, batted superbly to help his team close in on a decent score, and he was robbed of what would have been a deserved hundred when run-out by a direct hit from Cope when on 98. Nevertheless, the last three wickets added 71 to enable Cheltonians to post 182.

Waters and Howard got us off to a decent start before Waters fell for 15. But from 35 for 1, the batsmen took complete control. Howard, who admitted to being in a hurry because of a liaison with five American ladies in Fulham at 7.30pm, played in his typicall idiosyncratic manner, always offering bowlers hope but plundering runs with speed. He made the most of a reprieve when caught behind off a no-ball. Matt Crump, the hero of the second round, provided the perfect foil, unleashing some exquisite strokes without looking troubled.

In three games we have lost five wickets and, to date, our middle order has really not been tested. Spare a thought for Eds Copleston who has not bowled or batted so far in the competition.

We now face Dulwich, who beat Felsted in their quarter-final, on Jubilee on July 27.

Cricketer Cup quarter-final side named

The following have been selected for the Cricketer Cup quarter-final match at Cheltenham College.

Seren Waters, Stuart Meaker, Alan Cope, Matt Crump, Abeed Janmohamed, Will Howard (wk) ,Tom Crump, Eds Copleston, Henry Watkinson (capt), Jumbo Jupp, Mike Chetwode.

Seren Waters, who left Cranleigh last week after scoring almost 900 runs in the season, makes his cup debut. Graham Webb has failed to shake off a calf strain.

Roper seals a win for the School

Cranleigh School 233 for 6 (Waters 77, Hannah 68*) beat Old Cranleighans 232 for 2 (Halton 97*, Meaker 89) by four wickets

Rarely has there been a better advertisement for Cranleigh – and Old Cranleighan - cricket than the game on Speech Day. Played out on a superb track in sunshine, the OC side were all under 21 and the 40-over match was highly competitive but played throughout in the right spirit. And as for the finish …

Stuart Meaker opted to play against a School side he was very much part of until last year, and while his Surrey contract is as a bowler, he underlined his ability with the bat in a sparkling innings of 89 off 93 balls. The pick of his strokes was an audacious reverse sweep for six, and after a slow start – the score was 66 for 1 after 17 overs – the innings really came alive.

Meaker and James Halton, cautious at first, laid into the bowling, the last 15 overs producing 127 runs. Halton found gaps with precision, and although the School fielded excellently, they were unable to stem the flow.

Meaker was run-out when seemingly set for a hundred, and then Halton was denied his at the death when he hit the penultimate delivery to long-on only for his calls for a second to get him back on strike to be declined by Jonny Haynes. He finished unbeaten on 97.

The feeling was the School needed a big innings from Seren Waters to have a chance. Waters, with almost 700 runs to his name, certainly started confidently, unleashing some lovely glances and drives, as well as three towering pulls for six when the bowlers dropped short. He had moments of luck as well, twice inside edging past his leg stump.

The openings stand was worth 50 in seven overs, with Preece matching his captain with some lovely shots before gloving a pull and Mike Roper held a good, low leg-side catch. The innings then wobbled with three cheap wickets, Haynes taking a breathtaking one-handed catch in the covers, the highlight of some sublime fielding.

Waters remained but he was undone by a grenade from the unusual legspin of Tom Crump, whose fourth ball he slapped straight to Bradley Gilchrist at short cover. As he headed off, most believed the school’s hopes went with him.

But Hannah and Allen defied the odds in a sixth-wicket stand of 75 in 44 minutes, taking singles steadily to add to the pressure. But with the finishing line in sight, Meaker, bowling of half a dozen paces but still at speed, had Allan leg-before for 30.

Twenty-two were needed off the last two overs, and ten off the last. Jordan hit two off the first was followed by a wicket as Meaker bowled him. Phil Roper took a single and then Hannah did the same. With six needed off two, Roper played the most audacious shot, going down on one knee and slog sweeping Meaker over the pavilion. The cheers could be heard on the Lowers.

This was what OC against School matches should be like but haven’t been for almost 30 years. We had a full-strength side on the Lowers but this XI would rate among one of our stronger XIs and it has to be hoped that a number of those who played will go on to become OC regulars. One last thing that stood out was the universally outstanding fielding and throwing, a testament to the work put in by Stuart Welsh.

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

Another undefeated season for the school

Cranleigh enjoyed a second successive undefeated season, with victories including Epsom, Winchester, St Paul’s, Wellington, St John’s Leatherhead and St Peter’s Adelaide. James Halton held the batting together and captain Seren Waters led by example with both bat and ball. Stuart Meaker’s pace was too much for many opposition batsmen, taking 28 wickets at 13.92.

Rosenfeldt leads youthful CWT side

For the first time in the club’s history, we will be playing two cup matches on the same day. While the senior side travel to Old Cholmelians in the Cricket Cup second round on Sunday, June 24, Tristan Rosenfeldt leads an A team against Old Georgians in the second round of the Cricket World Trophy.

The side for that game, which starts at 11.00am on Jubilee, is as follows:
Tristan Rosenfeldt (capt), Graeme Brown, Tom Crump, Jonny Gates, Damien Hill, Jumbo Jupp, Sam Langmead, Rob Merry, Mike Roper, Phil Roper, Seren Waters.

The great thing is that the XI is young, with Brown the veteran at 29 and Rosenfeldt the second oldest (and by far the baldest) at 24. “As you can see this is a very youthful looking side and also one packed with quality,” said Rosenburg. “Many of us have played together but it will also be good to play with some of you guys for the first time, and I think this so called ‘Development Side’ really emphasises the strength in depth of talent the club has. I am very much looking forward to captaining this side.

“I am sure you all know, the Cricketer Cup side is playing on the same day hence the selection of this side. This game gives the opportunity for us all to play competitive cup cricket for the OC’s but also gives a platform to many of you to prove your worth and to start knocking on the door of Cricketer Cup selection, let’s give Henry and the selection committee some real headaches for future cup team selection.”

Copleston upbeat about cup

Eds Copleston has announced his side for the first round of this year’s Brewers Cup campaign and has made a number of changes from last year’s side which suffered a heavy defeat to Bruton in the final.

He has rested bowling legend Mike Chetwode and left Ed Henderson out of the squad to ensure he is fit for subsequent rounds should the OCs win their first game against Bloxham on Sunday June 25.

"Having won the competition in 2002 and 2004, I felt last year we were simply going through the motions. No player has a given right to play in the Brewers Cup and my selection should demonstrate I am prepared to reward form players with a place in the side."

Allrounder Nick Read has been recalled having not played in the cup competition since 2002. "Reado gives me some solidiity in the lower middle order and has bowled well in the trial games against Winchester and Old Spots.

Copleston also brought in 16-year-old opening batsman Seren Waters who will partner Johnny Gates. "Seren is playing well for the school and is hungry for runs. I am excited about the boy’s future with the club."

The bowling will be spearheaded by ageing seamer Henry Watkinson & the surprise of last year's campaign Alex Craven. Copleston boasted: "England paceman Stuart Meaker was unavailable for this round but should join the squad if we manage to progress."

The spin department is bolstered with the inclusion of Ian Houston. "Ian will give us control in the spin department while Graeme Brown and Abeed Janmohamed offer variation. First-class wicketkeeper Will Howard retains the keeping gloves and Copleston is confident this could be Will's year with the bat. "Will shows a lot of promise with the bat. He hasn’t won us a match yet however, but I think as he matures he should become a special player and I would love to see him win man of the match one day."

In conclusion Copleston pointed out this year's campaign must be taken more seriously. "I think last year we all went through the motions believing we deserved to raise the cup. I’m afraid that won’t happen again with application and concentration. The dream is alive of three cups in five years, its time to let our cricket do the talking."

OCCC 1 Seren Waters, 2 Johnny Gates, 3 Eds Copleston (capt), 4 Will Howard (wk), 5 Abeed Janmohamed, 6 Graeme Brown, 7 Nick Read, 8 Matt Crump, 9 Henry Watkinson, 10 Ian Houston, 11 Alex Craven