Tuesday June 23rd 2009
Review by Douglas Henderson
There was a possible world record, currently being considered by Wisden experts, in an Under-15 match at Eltham where 48 were scored off one over. Four runs were penalties for no-balls (so therefore it was a ten-ball over), but 44 were scored from the bat of Jack Robertson with four sixes and five fours. Whether a world record or not, it was an extraordinary feat and I imagine promotion beckons for the young batsman. More runs have been scored off an over but only when the bowler was deliberately trying to give away quick runs (see 2009 Wisden page 144).
There was a breathtaking high-scoring game at Strathallan. With a clever declaration well before half-time, Merchiston Castle set a target of 266 (for eight). Freddie Coleman for Strathallan, who is on Warwickshire?s books, was unfortunately out for 29. With five overs left, the home side needed 19 but with nine wickets down. At two overs, 13 were needed, and then nine from the last. All four results possible. On the final ball, with two to win, the last batsman was run out going for the second. A brilliant tie and game of cricket.
Tom Bamford (pictured) scored his maiden century for Denstone against Bishop Vesey?s Grammar School, scoring 128 not out from 75 balls with seven sixes and 14 fours.
Oli Wilkin of Merchant Taylors?, Northwood scored his second century of the season for the school, and?nearly won the match by taking?wickets off the fourth and fifth balls of the final over.
Coaches? concerns about the influence of Twenty20 are spreading to younger age-groups. Nobody doubts that the very short form of the professional game has been beneficial, with its emphasis on inventive strokeplay, thoughtful bowling and captaincy, brilliant running and athletic fielding (not to mention county finances). What is overlooked is that such qualities are being displayed on TV by cricketers who are already very skilled. Not much good hitting the odd six if you can?t defend a straight ball or even recognise it as such.
However, young players learning the game are beginning to think that this is the only real form of it. An Under-15 coach announced to his (very fine) team that they were going to have the privilege of playing on the 1st XI pitch and would be playing two 40-overs matches. ?40 overs?!? they cried in unison, as if he were putting them into detention. He patiently explained that in a year?s time they would be playing 50-overs matches and it would be good to get used to a longer game than the 35 or even 30 they currently play.
I am not the only older cricketer who is driven demented by the ?make more noise? culture that now seems unstoppable. As an HMC and an MCC document on this website explain (see ?Laws of the Game?), this is technically illegal and umpires should be asked to enforce Law 42. Better still if all Masters i/c enforced it in the first place. The vocabulary never changes, and it is repeated almost universally after every single ball of the opponents? innings ?come on fellas, come on boys, brilliant bowling (often after a wide or long hop), keep it up guys, one wicket brings two? and not much else except clap clap clap. It was a breath of fresh air last week to watch a Cricketer Cup match (for Old Boys) where we had none of this claptrap, and those players were not that much older. It is a very recent phenomenon.
Results (*denotes the home side)
(any corrections may be sent to [email protected])
Stamford 185-4 (40 overs), *Uppingham 186-3 (S J Thakor 119 not out)
*Eton A 278-8?(40 overs), Forest 168-6
Bolton 151, *Sedbergh 152-5
Aldenham 128, *Haberdashers? Aske?s 129-3
Aylesbury GS 125 (35 overs), *Dr Challoner?s GS 131-6
*Hampton 151-9 (35 overs), Dr Challoner?s GS 152-6
*Whitgift 182-7 (50 overs), Dulwich 183-8
*Ipswich?266-2??(40 overs), Forest?160-8
Tiffin 162 (50 overs), *St George?s, Weybridge 154
MCC 171 (N Kent 5-42), * St George?s, Weybridge 174-4
*St Albans 178-6 (30 overs), RGS High Wycombe 158
*Durham 202-2 dec, King’s Tynemouth 24-1 (rain)
Charterhouse 154 (50 overs) , *Whitgift 155-7
*King’s, Taunton 254-8 (50 overs), Taunton 218-9
Beechen Cliff 205-9, *Kingswood 206-2 (E Gordon 129 not out)
*Latymer Upper 285-8 (40 overs), Oratory 101
*Haberdashers’ Aske’s 161, Queen Elizabeth’s, Barnet 139
*Bancroft’s 230 (45 overs), Brentwood 222-9
Bishop Vesey?s GS 191-7 (40 overs), *Denstone 193-3 (T K J Bamford 128 not out)
Merchiston 266-8 dec, *Strathallan 266
*Wellington, Somerset 179-8 (35 overs), QEH Bristol 183-5 (D Wilmott 103 not out)
Oakham 153, *Oundle 154-5
*Dauntsey?s 282-5 (40 overs) (O Alsop 100), Downside 151
Caterham 188-6 (35 overs), *Sevenoaks 168
Lothian schools cup final (40 overs):
George Watson’s 120, *Merchiston 121-2
*Manchester Grammar School 164, Shrewsbury 132
*Shrewsbury 178-6 (50 overs), Free Foresters 174-9
National 20s:
*Shrewsbury 187-7 (20 overs), Abingdon 71
Shrewsbury 191-5 (20 overs), *Huddersfield New College 76
Old Dauntseians 160, *Dauntsey’s 163-4
Cranleigh 176?7 (50 overs), *Tonbridge 177?4
Plymouth 265-6 (B Passmore 116),?*West Buckland?184
Wellingborough 213-7 dec, *Bedford Modern 214-2 (G Thurstance 106)
*Ratcliffe 120, St Peter & St Paul?s, Lincoln 121-4
*Woodhouse Grove 196-9 dec, Pocklington 86
*Monkton Combe 270-8 (50 ov), King’s Bruton 205-9
*Nottingham HS 269-7 (50 overs)(B Storey 136 not out), RGS Worcester 264-5 (S Roberts 102 not out)
*Strathallan 170, High School of Glasgow 73
*Gordonstoun 247-5 dec (M. Baxter 102), High School of Glasgow 100-6
*Glenalmond 247-7 (35 overs), High School of Glasgow 85
*Caterham 157-6 (20 overs), Old Caterhamians 154-6
Caterham 188-6 (35 overs), *Sevenoaks 168
Oakham 153, Oundle 154-5
*Perse 234-4 dec (A P Stafford 100 not out), Bedford 167-9
*Colston?s 33 (40 overs) (S MacArthur 5-12), Bristol GS 34-2
*Trent 271-4 (50 overs)(A Tillcock 127 not out)?, King Edward?s, Birmingham 268-7
MCC 181-6 dec *Kirkham GS 139
Durham CCC Academy 177-7 (45 ov), *Sedbergh 178-7
*Lancaster RGS 182, Sedbergh 183-0 (J. Clark 110 not out)
*Sedbergh 247-7 (50 ov), (W Chapples 106), Brighton GS (Aus) 133-9
*Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 262-5 dec (O Wilkin 103 not out), John Lyon School 180-9
*Old Merchant Taylors’ 126, Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 118
Watford GS 126-9 (20 overs) *St Albans 130-1
St Albans 191 (40 overs), Bishop’s Stortford HS 151
Gordonstoun 166, *High School of Glasgow 58
*King?s, Taunton 336-5 (50 overs)(M Lenygon 124), Royal Marines 269-9
*King?s, Taunton 254-8 (50 overs), Taunton 218-9
*King?s, Taunton 227-6 (35 overs)(N.Evans 115), King Edward?s, Totnes 159-9
Western Schools Twenty20:
*Cheltenham 168-8, Clifton 169-3
Clifton now play King?s Taunton or KES Bath in regional final.
MCC 171 (N Kent 5-42), *St George?s, Weybridge 174-4
Hampton 171-7 (50 overs), *St George?s, Weybridge 101 (Z Ansari 5-20)
Old Georgians 154, *St George?s, Weybridge 157-5
Uppingham XI 259-9, *Haileybury X1 248-5
*Haileybury 291-2 (50 overs)(C Stewart 109 not out, S Anthony 109 not out), ?King’s Canterbury 153
St John?s Leatherhead 227-8, *Reigate GS 160
*Ratcliffe 189-1 (30 overs), Derby GS 89
Tuesday June 23rd 2009
Review by Douglas Henderson
There was a possible world record, currently being considered by Wisden experts, in an Under-15 match at Eltham where 48 were scored off one over. Four runs were penalties for no-balls (so therefore it was a ten-ball over), but 44 were scored from the bat of Jack Robertson with four sixes and five fours. Whether a world record or not, it was an extraordinary feat and I imagine promotion beckons for the young batsman. More runs have been scored off an over but only when the bowler was deliberately trying to give away quick runs (see 2009 Wisden page 144).
There was a breathtaking high-scoring game at Strathallan. With a clever declaration well before half-time, Merchiston Castle set a target of 266 (for eight). Freddie Coleman for Strathallan, who is on Warwickshire?s books, was unfortunately out for 29. With five overs left, the home side needed 19 but with nine wickets down. At two overs, 13 were needed, and then nine from the last. All four results possible. On the final ball, with two to win, the last batsman was run out going for the second. A brilliant tie and game of cricket.
Tom Bamford (pictured) scored his maiden century for Denstone against Bishop Vesey?s Grammar School, scoring 128 not out from 75 balls with seven sixes and 14 fours.
Oli Wilkin of Merchant Taylors?, Northwood scored his second century of the season for the school, and?nearly won the match by taking?wickets off the fourth and fifth balls of the final over.
Coaches? concerns about the influence of Twenty20 are spreading to younger age-groups. Nobody doubts that the very short form of the professional game has been beneficial, with its emphasis on inventive strokeplay, thoughtful bowling and captaincy, brilliant running and athletic fielding (not to mention county finances). What is overlooked is that such qualities are being displayed on TV by cricketers who are already very skilled. Not much good hitting the odd six if you can?t defend a straight ball or even recognise it as such.
However, young players learning the game are beginning to think that this is the only real form of it. An Under-15 coach announced to his (very fine) team that they were going to have the privilege of playing on the 1st XI pitch and would be playing two 40-overs matches. ?40 overs?!? they cried in unison, as if he were putting them into detention. He patiently explained that in a year?s time they would be playing 50-overs matches and it would be good to get used to a longer game than the 35 or even 30 they currently play.
I am not the only older cricketer who is driven demented by the ?make more noise? culture that now seems unstoppable. As an HMC and an MCC document on this website explain (see ?Laws of the Game?), this is technically illegal and umpires should be asked to enforce Law 42. Better still if all Masters i/c enforced it in the first place. The vocabulary never changes, and it is repeated almost universally after every single ball of the opponents? innings ?come on fellas, come on boys, brilliant bowling (often after a wide or long hop), keep it up guys, one wicket brings two? and not much else except clap clap clap. It was a breath of fresh air last week to watch a Cricketer Cup match (for Old Boys) where we had none of this claptrap, and those players were not that much older. It is a very recent phenomenon.
Results (*denotes the home side)
(any corrections may be sent to [email protected])
Stamford 185-4 (40 overs), *Uppingham 186-3 (S J Thakor 119 not out)
*Eton A 278-8?(40 overs), Forest 168-6
Bolton 151, *Sedbergh 152-5
Aldenham 128, *Haberdashers? Aske?s 129-3
Aylesbury GS 125 (35 overs), *Dr Challoner?s GS 131-6
*Hampton 151-9 (35 overs), Dr Challoner?s GS 152-6
*Whitgift 182-7 (50 overs), Dulwich 183-8
*Ipswich?266-2??(40 overs), Forest?160-8
Tiffin 162 (50 overs), *St George?s, Weybridge 154
MCC 171 (N Kent 5-42), * St George?s, Weybridge 174-4
*St Albans 178-6 (30 overs), RGS High Wycombe 158
*Durham 202-2 dec, King’s Tynemouth 24-1 (rain)
Charterhouse 154 (50 overs) , *Whitgift 155-7
*King’s, Taunton 254-8 (50 overs), Taunton 218-9
Beechen Cliff 205-9, *Kingswood 206-2 (E Gordon 129 not out)
*Latymer Upper 285-8 (40 overs), Oratory 101
*Haberdashers’ Aske’s 161, Queen Elizabeth’s, Barnet 139
*Bancroft’s 230 (45 overs), Brentwood 222-9
Bishop Vesey?s GS 191-7 (40 overs), *Denstone 193-3 (T K J Bamford 128 not out)
Merchiston 266-8 dec, *Strathallan 266
*Wellington, Somerset 179-8 (35 overs), QEH Bristol 183-5 (D Wilmott 103 not out)
Oakham 153, *Oundle 154-5
*Dauntsey?s 282-5 (40 overs) (O Alsop 100), Downside 151
Caterham 188-6 (35 overs), *Sevenoaks 168
Lothian schools cup final (40 overs):
George Watson’s 120, *Merchiston 121-2
*Manchester Grammar School 164, Shrewsbury 132
*Shrewsbury 178-6 (50 overs), Free Foresters 174-9
National 20s:
*Shrewsbury 187-7 (20 overs), Abingdon 71
Shrewsbury 191-5 (20 overs), *Huddersfield New College 76
Old Dauntseians 160, *Dauntsey’s 163-4
Cranleigh 176?7 (50 overs), *Tonbridge 177?4
Plymouth 265-6 (B Passmore 116),?*West Buckland?184
Wellingborough 213-7 dec, *Bedford Modern 214-2 (G Thurstance 106)
*Ratcliffe 120, St Peter & St Paul?s, Lincoln 121-4
*Woodhouse Grove 196-9 dec, Pocklington 86
*Monkton Combe 270-8 (50 ov), King’s Bruton 205-9
*Nottingham HS 269-7 (50 overs)(B Storey 136 not out), RGS Worcester 264-5 (S Roberts 102 not out)
*Strathallan 170, High School of Glasgow 73
*Gordonstoun 247-5 dec (M. Baxter 102), High School of Glasgow 100-6
*Glenalmond 247-7 (35 overs), High School of Glasgow 85
*Caterham 157-6 (20 overs), Old Caterhamians 154-6
Caterham 188-6 (35 overs), *Sevenoaks 168
Oakham 153, Oundle 154-5
*Perse 234-4 dec (A P Stafford 100 not out), Bedford 167-9
*Colston?s 33 (40 overs) (S MacArthur 5-12), Bristol GS 34-2
*Trent 271-4 (50 overs)(A Tillcock 127 not out)?, King Edward?s, Birmingham 268-7
MCC 181-6 dec *Kirkham GS 139
Durham CCC Academy 177-7 (45 ov), *Sedbergh 178-7
*Lancaster RGS 182, Sedbergh 183-0 (J. Clark 110 not out)
*Sedbergh 247-7 (50 ov), (W Chapples 106), Brighton GS (Aus) 133-9
*Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 262-5 dec (O Wilkin 103 not out), John Lyon School 180-9
*Old Merchant Taylors’ 126, Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 118
Watford GS 126-9 (20 overs) *St Albans 130-1
St Albans 191 (40 overs), Bishop’s Stortford HS 151
Gordonstoun 166, *High School of Glasgow 58
*King?s, Taunton 336-5 (50 overs)(M Lenygon 124), Royal Marines 269-9
*King?s, Taunton 254-8 (50 overs), Taunton 218-9
*King?s, Taunton 227-6 (35 overs)(N.Evans 115), King Edward?s, Totnes 159-9
Western Schools Twenty20:
*Cheltenham 168-8, Clifton 169-3
Clifton now play King?s Taunton or KES Bath in regional final.
MCC 171 (N Kent 5-42), *St George?s, Weybridge 174-4
Hampton 171-7 (50 overs), *St George?s, Weybridge 101 (Z Ansari 5-20)
Old Georgians 154, *St George?s, Weybridge 157-5
Uppingham XI 259-9, *Haileybury X1 248-5
*Haileybury 291-2 (50 overs)(C Stewart 109 not out, S Anthony 109 not out), ?King’s Canterbury 153
St John?s Leatherhead 227-8, *Reigate GS 160
*Ratcliffe 189-1 (30 overs), Derby GS 89