Thursday 30 July 2009

Last Over Win Over Widows for McGill's Midweek Men


Scottish Widows 120ao (19.1 overs)
Edwards 39
U. Shazad 1/ 22 (4 overs)
V. Gaware 1/29 (4 overs)
Bainbridge 2/10 (2 overs)
C. O. Smith 2/21 (4 overs)
C. McGill 2/18 (3.1)
N. Shazad 0/11 (2 overs)

Holy Cross 121/1 (19.1 overs)
C. Ellis 72*
A. Quinn 30*
N. Metha 11.

With warm sunshine and a firm wicket ...it almost felt like May again..

Highlights included a near hatrick from Bainbro (hatrick ball missed off stump by an inch), a promising spell from Usama and 3 catches from Nawaz-one of them a candidate for catch of the season (from a well hit pull off from Smudger's 'slow bouncer' ). Otherwise fielding a little mixed - especially from some of the 1st teamers present - though Michael did a good stint sweeping at deep cover.

Good entertaining game that left us needing six to win off the last over-luckily the first one was a full-bunger.

League Weekend 14 and the Week Ahead


Saturday's fixtures -
  • 1sts away vs Heriots 2nds, at Goldenacre.
  • 2nds home vs Heriots 3rds, at Arboretum.
  • 3rds away vs Kirk Brae 2nds, at Double Hedges.

The last midweek friendly of the season is on Tuesday night at Arbo vs Edinburgh South. As usual, please buttonhole Captain McGill, e-mail me or sign up here if you'd like a game. Nets at Newfield on Wednesday night.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Not a Funny Game

For those misguided Crossers who seem to think that cricket ought to be an enjoyable game:

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/416628.html

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Sunday Spectating Practice

For those of you looking for a little spectating practice before the Presidents Trophy final on Sunday August 16th, the rescheduled Murgitroyd Masterton final between Carlton and Corstorphine will take place at Grange Loan at 4pm this coming Sunday, weather permitting. No doubt the bar will be open. No word on whether any Maliks will be in attendance, kilted or otherwise.

Shock Revelations: Umpires Make Mistakes.




http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Scottish-cricket-Umpires-are-not.5498243.jp

Our own Bainbro has commented that:

'I was interviewed for this article but my comments were unpublishable'

More Shock Revelations: Ex-Crosser Pictured Wearing Skirt

http://www.cricketscotland.com/node/12834

Monday 27 July 2009

Standards

An open letter to all Crossers.

Gents,

My patience has finally snapped and I feel I must make this plea before it’s too late (especially given Broonster's snide reference to this matter in his recent match report). Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed a worrying lack of focus and commitment amongst Crossers, combined with the longstanding technical issues that have afflicted the club since the 1950s. As a club we MUST raise our standards: otherwise what’s left of the club's reputation will be lost. Some of the complacent chatter at yesterday’s game (especially from Mr Admin and Ziggy) suggested that they simply hadn’t grasped the seriousness of the matter. As for the attitudes expressed by the likes of Smudger, pvb and Coco, well words fail me - but they are surely clear evidence of the tide of relativism sweeping this club and this nation.

If anyone needs assistance with these matters feel free to contact me.

Otherwise PLEASE follow these instructions at ALL times: (and please do NOT accuse me of 'stirring' it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnvYymrCn4g


and here:

http://tinyurl.com/6txrb




If you can’t remember all this, remember the maxim: ‘rich with plenty milk’.

It's not like it's going to happen again, is it? - 2s Win

HX IIs (20 Points!!) beat DAFS IIIs (9 points) by 8 runs.

Having lost the toss we were asked to bat on the artificial at Roseburn. Shifty and Nippun got us off to a good start putting on 35 off the first 17 (not rapid but saw off both the opening bowlers which was important). This is also the second highest opening stand for the 2s of the season and certainly the longest - well done guys! Both then fell with the score on 35 bringing Shannnon and JB to the crease. The tempo was upped to 4 an over during the course of the next 15. JB went for 23 in the 32nd (the partnership was worth 57). We then managed to increase the tempo to over 6 an over during the next 7 overs, with yours truly going for 36 in the 40th (partnership worth 46). Shanon meanwhile was playing sensible cricket at the other end whilst we kept trying to push the score along (eventually going for 38). Andy Q made a quick 9 and Shammo and Amjid were run out trying to get us past the 170 mark. We finished on 168 for 8, with wides contributing 23 and extras in total worth 36!

We took to the field and were soon under the cosh when their very very powerful opener took a shine to the new ball and smacked three 4s in no time. Thankfully Tom Wright bowled him with an off cutter and the run rate slowed - briefly. Their No3 took a liking to Tom and Amjid and soon got the run rate going again. After 10 overs Dafs were 54 for 1. At this point Shannon mentioned that he had to go soon so having thought about it for all of a nano second, skip decided to bring him on. First ball he bowled the opener for 4, who for some bizarre reason decided to shoulder arms. The run rate slowed and by the 17th over they were on 77 needing a further 92 to win off 28 overs. Shannon then trapped the No3 LBW for 26 and 4 overs later in his 6th and final over had an LBW shout turned down against their No4. This got the blood pressure going and Shannon then clean bowled the guy next ball, got the No6 LBW first ball and then clean bowled the No7 first ball too for good measure. Having got a hat trick off his last three deliveries he realised what the time was and had to go, leaving us with 10 men from the 22nd over (cheers for the jug, it was appreciated!). Gerry then trapped the No8 in front next over and Dafs were suddenly 90 for 7 with 23 overs to go. Andy Lacey, Mufs skip then knuckled down with their No 9 to take the score on to 140, before that man Lohan had him trapped in front for 46. The 9th wicket went in the 35 over, Tom Wright clean bowling the No10 with the first ball of his second spell. Dafs now needed 25 to win off 10 overs. JB came on from the Water of Leith end and his first 5 overs went for 5. Shammo came on from the stadium end and his 2 overs went for 5. Dafs now needed 8 off 8 balls (was getting a bit squeaky bum time). Thankfully the No9 finally went for a shot and spooned one up to point for Shammo to pouch - HX win! Well done one and all.

Amjid 9-0-39-0
Tom Wright 9-0-32-2
Shannon 6-2-14-5
Gerry 9-2-22-2
James Burgess 3-1-27-0
JB 5.5-2-7-1 (the important one at that!)
Shammo 2-0-5-0

Many many jugs followed at Arbo, having first gone to the Murrayfield Arms with the oppos.

We are now on 52% and third from bottom, having overtaken Largo who are now on 50%. Let's not blow it by losing to Heriots at home next Saturday!

Holy Crocks (Youth Side) Snatch Victory from the Jaws of ..

Hi Folks

The game ..... (PS the youngest team for ages, we had one 16 year old and a few still in their 20's)

Home game to us! Promptly lost the toss and the oppo decided to bat, first blood to us!

As titular captain I "cleverly" delegated minor issues such as setting the field, bowling changes and general tactics to Scott (VC today) and concentrated on the vital matter of clapping, encouraging and such like! (Know your strengths eh!)

Andy G and Popey started really well - with no luck - but not too many runs on the board (even better return spells later on) - then Usama and Fazal came on - Usama first - bowled really well, throttled his runup back and got the rewards - excellent 2 wickets in two balls top of off stump and top of leg stump with beauties! Fazal - what can one say - a little reminiscent of the 'King' air, air and even more air, I swear there was ice and bits of sputnik on some (the team looked at me oddly when I mentioned it, it's an age thing!) 2 wickets, sharp stumping to Scott, and a total bamboozler - charge down the wicket, full speed retreat, attempted shot and bowled, boy he was pi**ed - both openers gone! steady runs, steady wickets, Richard cracking spell 8,2,17,2 and an amazing return catch (high left hand plucked a rocket)! Then the Broonster 3 overs 2 for 10! It was death bowling at its best! they only made 40 off the last 15! - Fielding everyone was great new guy Nigel excellent in the field as was Usama, Brian F and Popey (despite dropping 3 rediculously hard ones, took a cracker off Richard though!) some collosal stops too from everyone Mike running tirelessly despite his calf injury saved a packet of runs too, some great dives by Coastal, Broonster, Nigel, Popey and Brian too, high artisitic value all round.

Result - 138 for 9 off 40 (extras ca 25)

Good Tea back at Arbo (best part of Inverleith artificial by miles.)

Innings 2 (Andy G leaving early) Mike and Andy opened Andy out quickly trying to launch a straight one out of the ground and Mike out to a great catch low in the gully. Saviour Scott to the crease (38 I think), Brian stuck around and score ticked on, then Coastal - too many deliveries for 6, thankfully out trying to accelerate. Richard magnificent innings 23. Usama to the crease (a great 18 in tight circumstances, we need roughly 30 odd of the last 5 overs, followed by 9 off the last 12 balls Usama run out magnificently when we needed 3!) Nigel and Popey ran a wide to tie the scores and Popey gloved a ball to short third man to win it with one ball to spare!

What a team, what spirit, what an effort, what a result. Oppo were great, sporting and very friendly. It was a great game even for the neutral! Many thanks to the 1's who came down en masse to cheer us on!

We're on 79.67 % - played 12 won 8 go the CROCKS! 3rd or 4th I reckon.

Here ends Coastal's sporting report!

Sunday 26 July 2009

Myreside awaits as Bates hits Cross into President's Trophy Final


Sunshine and sawdust were both on display as the rain delayed reduced over President's Trophy Semi against Kismet went ahead at Arbo earlier today.

In a game watched in front of literally a handful of supporters, the tourists went in to bat first and made a respectable 124 on a moist wicket, with Bainbridge the main man taking 3 for 15 and decent figures of 1-11 for Bonfield and 1-19 for Russell, the latter forcing a great run out after knocking the bails off with a direct hit from a tight angle.

The Cross fielding and most importantly catching were a vast improvement on the previous week's SCU Trophy semi, in particular two spectacular takes by Russell and Ellis.

After tea, Cross went about their business however Bailey wasn't up for the long haul and let an average delivery force him into a hook shot which went to the welcoming fielder.

Smith hit a decent knock of 39 before being skittled, much to his apparent annoyance as he left the field in what could only be described as an 'Introduction to Tourettes, Volume 1'.

Ellis was given 'plum' LBW by Coco, however he made up for it by offering to make a round of tea for all on the boundary - nice lad!

Russell was steadfast, hitting 36 not out and it was his partnership with the winning runs hitter Bates (21 not out) which set up a Final against either Musselburgh or Watsonians at Myreside on Sunday August 16th (1pm start). The other semi-final is scheduled to be played next week.

Miraculous Sighting at Arbo Following Freak Seconds Victory.

Overwhelmed by a combination of joy and dementia, second team veteran Gerard Lohan is here pictured in a double miracle moment. Not only was he found in possession of a genuine ten pound note, all of his own, he was subsequently sighted spending the same at the Arbo bar.

Amazed bystander Brian Fraser, of Edinburgh's exclusive Polwarth district, said "I just can't believe it. In all the years I've been here nothing like this has ever happened. I heard someone say Gerry once had a fiver for a while, sometime in the mid-seventies, but that's just folklore. Then he turns up with a real tenner, no sellotape or nothing. And he spent it. No, really, I saw it with my own mincers." Shocked barman Ray commented "It came out of the blue. I thought he was just going to let me touch it for a moment, but then he let go of it and said 'Thanks'. You couldn't make it up, could you?"

The spruce swinger explained "I know it's a bit strange, but I thought 'what the hell, the government's just printing the stuff, and, well, Ziggy won a game. It's not like it's going to happen again, is it? And know what? I feel really good about it."

To mark this once in a lifetime moment, Holy Cross will be issuing a set of commemorative mugs and changing the club motto to "Easy Come, Easy Go, Old Boy."

Sunday Game vs Kismet still ON

Message from club Sec:

'We haven’t made a formal inspection, but it seems to have rained a lot less than forecast last night and there is some hope of better weather this afternoon'.

1pm start at Arbo.

Saturday 25 July 2009

Wins for 2nds and 3rds; Bad Loss for 1sts

Results summary-details to follow.

1sts (at Arbo)

Holy Cross 131ao
C. Ellis 70
A. McDonald 4/22

Fauldhouse 136-3
Z. Ali 66
Bainbridge 2/23

brief mention in the Evening News:
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Fauldhouse-see-off-Holy-Cross.5496312.jp

2nds (At Roseburn -artificial)
Won by about 8 runs
S. Bonfield 38, A. Cydzik 36, J. Bates 23
S. Bonfield 5/14.

3rds (at Inverleith Park-Artificial)
Drummond Trinity 2nds 138-9
Holy Cross 3rds 139-8
S. Russell 38, R. Ellis 23, U. Shazad 18


very exciting match won with 1 ball to spare: with Popey hitting
the winning runs via a glorious...er...gloved nurdle to short third man.
From the few overs I saw, some good batting and running by Usama and
Ellis Snr, with the latter doing his best 'Dean Jones in the 2nd tied test' impression.
Good to see the thirds up at Arbo-though a bit dissapointing that none of their opposition
made it.

Friday 24 July 2009

Ludicrous weather (part 2 of a continuing series)



Can we really be seriously considering playing cricket tomorrow??

Seems like we will be, so dummies back in the pram chaps and C'mon the Cross.

Cow Corner Cuts Cost of Cricket Kit


Need some new kit ? Perhaps you've taken a Saturday off, left your kit in the clubhouse and returned to find someone has borrowed and cracked your bat ?

Anyway, our friends at Cow Corner are offering 30% off everything they sell, whether in the store or online. The only downside is that the club's 5% cut of everything you spend will be that little bit smaller.

Lucky 13 for Muddy Midweekers


If Steve Rouse reckons that the Edgbaston test pitch is currently like 'Jelly', then we played on one resembling a custard coated biscuit (this was no fault of the groundstaff at Peffermill; just the weather)

In a match shortened to 13 overs per side:

Holy Cross 97/3
K. Fraser 33*, A. Quinn 30 *

Edinburgh University Staff 66/6
C. McGill 2/9 (3 overs)
U. Shazad 2/11 (3 overs)
C. O. Smith 1/15 (3 overs)

HX total built round a good partnership between Fraser and Quinn after early wickets, featuring some good back foot play. Usama was the pick of the bowlers, showing good control given the slippery footholds and sodden ball.

Thursday 23 July 2009

KF on the Ashes (Part 2).


Part 2 of KF's Ashes commentary.

One single match after the worst performance in the history of sport against the greatest side ever to walk the planet, England find themselves 1-0 up in the series. OK, I’m exaggerating a bit, but as usual, it’s the commentary by supposed experts that gets me going. I’d love to watch a game (and this applies to football as well), where a fair and unbiased assessment of the game is commented upon where necessary, with some tactical and technical insights by an eloquent commentator. Too often we are fed total nonsense. There are exceptions. I think ‘our’ own Michael Atherton is excellent and feel it’s hard to beat a Jeremy Coney assessment of a match situation. Where Coney is also extremely good is that when talking about New Zealand, there is no bias or jingoism, he tells it exactly like it is. And that is how it should be. We need more like him and they must be out there (certainly in cricket, maybe not in football).

The danger of paying someone to sit and talk when there is nothing to say is all too apparent. And the logic seemingly followed by Sky, that you need to have been an England captain to be able to commentate, is questionable. Yes, they’d have a crack senior 6-a-side team, but are they the greatest commentary team? When Hughes opens for Australia and clobbers a four over point, you hear English voices say things like ‘ooh, he got away with that one’ or ‘a bit uppish there’. In my head I can only hear Bill Lawry screaming ‘BANG, there’s another one crashing into the boards’. Why are England’s commentator’s so negative? When, as happens, the umpire’s made a meal of things, I could hardly believe my ears. The game was brought into disrepute with the assertion that these umpires were rubbish and that in world cricket, only Dar and Taufel are up to the job. Amazing stuff coming from former England players. If this is the case, and you think you can do better then stop being so defamatory and show us how it’s done. Otherwise, shut the hell up.

How nice is it to hear Warne in amongst them. He is Australian and he wants them to win. No problems there. But he is also a genuine world cricketer having captained in England and India in different versions of the game to go alongside his Australian record/s. His cricket opinion is clear of petty jealousies and suchlike, he just espouses sensible opinion again and again. He can’t be rivalled when it comes to ospinion (do you like that?) and I think his point that there should only be referrals if there is a referral system that is 100% accurate is well considered. Simply put, when he opens his mouth you listen. When Botham starts contradicting what he said 15 minutes ago, you switch off. When Hussein goes in a huff because England are being beaten, you despair.

Onto the actual cricket. What a difference Graham Onions made. Without him, England limped to a draw at Cardiff. With him Australia were steamrollered at Lords. Obviously I jest. But regarding England’s team selection, who do you rate most/who is best/who would you least like to face? Onions & Broad or Harmison & Panesar? All four would skittle me, but I suspect the vast majority would prefer the latter pair in their side and they’d be a fantastically entertaining last wicket partnership as well.

Now for Sir Freddie. That his injuries have cut short his career is no surprise at all. As he is ‘big-built’ and a quickie, he was always going to incur more wear and tear. But as I’ve said on record before (see Jon’s quote in the comments about my 1st Test report), injecting him with pain killers and making him play while injured is stupid, counter-productive and borderline criminal. The pain is there for a reason. Masking it allows you to dumbly exacerbate the problem. I’m astonished such short-termism pervades. Anyone familiar with the story of Allan McGraw will dread what the future holds for Flintoff’s legs. At least in the 1960’s they could plead ignorance. That he can thunder in and consistently bowl over 90mph owes as much to the ‘wonders’ of medicine than natural ability. Sorry to labour this but I reckon I could smash a few lids if I was on the same drugs as Flintoff.

Now without their show pony (allowing countless laboured Achilles heel jokes), will England pick a work horse or a donkey? Is there an Australian available with 3 games under his belt for a minor county who qualifies through a criminal grandparent deported here 50 years ago? I refer of course to the somewhat leftfield selection of that bowler whose name escapes me and I can’t be bothered to look up. While losing KP is a blow they have an obvious replacement in Bell, but you never know with England selectors do you!!! And all that losing KP from the batting line-up will do is allow the commentators to start attacking Bopara or Cook or whoever instead of their goofy Saffer.

The performances in the first two Test’s don’t matter now. An argument could be made that England have the momentum, but didn’t Australia have that after Cardiff? Momentum or over-confidence, six and half a dozen!!! The score is 1-0 to England, an outstanding position. But with doubts over Flintoff’s ability to play another 3 Tests, Broad’s cold statistics and Onions yet to prove he is Test class, there are still 60 Australian wickets between England and the Ashes. The cricket has been excellent so far and I can’t wait for the next instalment, although I might just watch it with the sound turned off. Actually, I can’t do that or I’d have nothing to whinge about in my next dispatch.

League Weekend 13 and the Week Ahead


Saturday's fixtures -

  • 1sts at home vs Fauldhouse.
  • 2nds away vs Murrayfield DAFS 3rds, on the Roseburn articial.
  • 3rds at home vs Drummond Trinity 2nds, on the Inverleith Park artificial.

On Sunday we take on Kismet in the semi-final of the Presidents Trophy at Arboretum. 1pm start confirmed.

Nets at Newfield on Wednesday evening and on Thursday evening the penultimate midweek friendly of the season, vs Scottish Widows at Arbo. Sign up here, e-mail me or buttonhole Captain McGill.

Wednesday 22 July 2009

2nds' Fixture Rearrangement

Please note that the 2nds' final game of the season, at home vs Edinburgh Accies 2nds, has been rearranged from Saturday 29th August to Sunday 9th August. We were unable to find a pitch for the 29th.

Sunday 19 July 2009

Dismal Cross Toss Away Final Chance


Result from SCU Trophy Semi:
At Arboretum.

Holy Cross Academicals 185-6 (50 overs)
C. Ellis 54, S.Pickering 29

NOSCA 186-5 (34.3 overs)
R. Main 45
D. Wolton 43

More details to follow once I've calmed down a bit.

In summary, on a difficult wicket (on which 185 should have taken some getting), the first 7 overs from the Newfield end went for 76 runs with a mixture of full bungers and slow long hops and full bungers and full bungers ... As bad a series of overs that I've seen bowled at Arbo (and I've seen plenty Dyer efforts). Rather frustrating given the hard work we'd put in to get our runs.

Apologies to our supporters (Coco, pvb, Mark B, Mahmood, Michael) who had to witness such garbage.

scorecard here: http://www.cricketscotland.com/cards/2009/holnos

Media report here:
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Trophy-dream-ends-in-five.5474999.jp

SCU Semi-Final Today. 1pm Start at Arbo


1st team Skipper E. C. Smith has been doing the rounds of the media before our SCU Trophy semi-final, including this interview here:

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-Holy-Cross-all-geared.5472603.jp

Can't think what the line 'Captain Smith...will finalise his side after today's scheduled league matches' is a euphemism for..

Any support appreciated...just one good performance from a national final.

Friday 17 July 2009

Ludicrous weather


Can we really be seriously considering playing cricket tomorrow??

Breaking news (at 10.15am).....Some degree of sanity has prevailed-the 1st XI game at Glenrothes is OFF

3rds game at Broomhall is still ON

As Andy G and Ziggy have reported the pitch at Arbo seems playable and is being rolled... (don't wreck it for Sunday's game lads...)

Thursday 16 July 2009

League Weekend 12 and the Week Ahead

Saturday fixtures -
  • 1sts vs Glenrothes, away.
  • 2nds vs Leith 2nds, at Arbo.
  • 3rds vs Broomhall 2nds, away.

On Sunday the North of Scotland Select visit Arboretum for the SCU Trophy semi-final, starting at 1pm. Our second semi of the season comes the following Sunday, also at Arbo, against Kismet in the Presidents Trophy.

Midweek, there are nets at Newfield on Wednesday evening and an evening friendly vs Edinburgh University Staff at Peffermill on Thursday. Volunteers for the EU Staff game, sign up here or contact Captain McGill or me.

Good luck to all.

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Music To Watch Cricket By



The Duckworth Lewis Method album has been released. Parts of it can be heard here:
http://dlmethod.com/

The song about 'that ball' is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmRGbw_fen4



The 'band' will be appearing on Test Match Special at lunchtime on Thursday 16th.

A bag of my 'ball burnishing' sweets* for the 1st 'commentor' who identifies the connection between this album and our own Colin McGill (I'm sure there are plenty; it needs to be the one I'm thinking of).

*their only side-effect is that if consumed whilst batting they transform you into a bottom-handed hacker.

National Leagues Set To Be Retained...

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-Plan-to-revamp-leagues.5456043.jp

but maybe not for long:

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Scottish-Cricket-League-reform-is.5476972.jp

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Youthful Cross Prevail

Despite the rather muddy pitch we had an enjoyable friendly vs the Muffers in a a match in which an attempt was made to break the record for the 'most people playing whilst smoking' (I counted five; though Coco -as usual-smoked enough for 11 normal men).

The Cross fielded an unusually youthful and athletic side - with a few Cross veterans (McGill, Lawrie, Bates, Ellis) making up the numbers.
Skipper McGill prevailing against Don Wilkie in the battle of the cantankerous er.. captains.

A fluent start from the inform pair of Nipun Metha and C. J. Ellis (both retired on 30) followed by other useful contributions from 'Psycho' Bates (as he is known to Muffers), Vikram and Nawaz took us to 144.

Good bowling performance with good spells from Vikram, Burgess, McGill (adding to his long list of international victims), Bates, Nipun, and particularly Nawaz kept Mufs to just over a hundred -despite some fine striking from one of their openers (Anand Venkatesh). (Though he almost fell to an attempt for catch of the millennium from Andy G/J Pope-they attempted something along the lines of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWO5MO8z4ks )

Some good keeping from Ken -including a nice stumping (!!).

BTW can the person who borrowed my bat at the weekend and put a rather large crack right through the middle of it....

Monday 13 July 2009

Excessive Ashes Coverage??


http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/39Over-the-top-Ashes-coverage.5452103.jp

Radio discussion of the issue here (at approx 19mins 30 secs):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00lls4x/Newsdrive_13_07_2009/

Further reaction:
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Gemma-Fraser-Cricket39s-catching-on.5456000.jp

2s - Time to pull our collective finger out

Performances (outwith of bowling i.e. batting = dire, fielding = could be improved on) in the first two games of the second half of the season have been poor. We have collected 11 points in these two games compared to Largo's 30! We have seven games left to overhaul Largo and others to ensure that we aren't relegated again. After this Saturday's results Largo have 50.57% compared to our 46.87%. At least we have our fixtures against the top 2 teams in the league out of the way. However, weather will play a factor so we are likely to lose at least 1 game to the weather. We need to win 3 or even 4 of our remaining fixtures, at least. I'm certain we can. We just need to believe in ourselves and play to our abilities, and in a couple of months we will be able to look back on a season with many lows, but which ends on reasonable high. Let's not roll over but prove to ourselves and peers that we are better than division six! I'm even prepared to buy a jug for the first person outwith of JB to get to 50 in one innings for the 2s!

Sunday 12 July 2009

KF on the Ashes (Part 1)

[Some brief, er, reflections from the 1st team VC on the 1st Test].

Previously this may have been called an article, but now its probably a twitblog!!! I splatted out a twitarticleblog after the 2005 nailbiter. You may recall England retained their Ashes by beating Australia 365-0 and made Shane Warne retire and Ricky Ponting cry. To appease my literary fans, I’ve decided to review the 1st Test, and who knows, maybe more in the weeks to come.

England (& Wales) 687-19
Australia 674-6
Match Drawn!!!!!


Nathan who (6-158)? Marcus who (125no)? Congratulations to all the experts in the media who once again talked and wrote more tripe about proceedings in Cardiff than I would ever have thought possible (even Cricinfo bills it as “Australia tour of England and Scotland, 1st Test: England v Australia at Cardiff,”). The Sky boys were in great form, Sir Beefy in particular (“Australia have to score a lot of runs just to avoid the follow on” he slavered, rubbing his hands early in Australia’s first innings. I didn’t see him smile again until proceedings concluded), whilst our meatheaded papers couldn’t help smearing themselves in idiotic ink as well. The Sundays had a fine old time denouncing the tawdry, inept embarrassments turning out for England (& Wales) with a day of the match still to go. ‘Only Welsh Rain Can Save English Shower’ and more disrespectful tedium like that.

End result, a draw with no Welsh raindrops in sight. But how can that be? Well, against obviously superior opposition (“this Australian team isn’t as bad as we thought” – Smiler Hussein, morning of Day 4, hopefully speaking on behalf of the expert commentary team and not on behalf of average cricket fans who watched Australia in South Africa recently on the really obscure Sky Sports channels), two or three players showed international class application, specifically Anderson, Collingwood and an impeccable knock of 7 from 35 balls by Monty. Massive credit to them. But if Anderson outscores 5 of the top 6 in any more innings, heads have to roll. It seems harder to be dropped from England 1st XI than it is for Holy Cross 1st XI and I should know.

A wee point here about KP. Why is the English media hounding him into inevitable early retirement. Sure, he’s a total prat, but this isn’t a personality contest. He top scored in the 1st innings and was singled out and slaughtered for it. There are very few people in the world who can tell him how to play and none of them are English (or Welsh). You can have him playing his way (1st innings) or the ‘proper’ way (2nd innings). Absolutely no contest. He is far and away the teams most talented run scorer and this put them on a pedestal to knock them off thing is unfathomable. Everyone has flaws. Not everyone has talent like that. Cherish every run he scores before he says ‘enough is enough, see how you do without me’. He was treated shabbily as captain and despite establishing himself as the nations best batsman, still has to dodge flak from batsmen of the calibre of Bob Willis and the like.

Once the match was underway, the likelihood of a draw was a done deal. It is the practice in these times to prepare a flat dead batting track which won’t break up even if the whole series is played on it (unless you are Antiguan of course). As we see at club level, this seems to have the knock on effect of making league cricketers expect bone dry A-class roads for games, rather than just getting on with it and accepting indifferent bounce is the same for both teams. The talk of picking 1 or 2 spinners (if 2, why not 4 or 5?) seems redundant to me. I’m sure in the days of Underwood and uncovered pitches, these tactics were genuine (as was the nightwatchman thing with which England persist at any opportunity), but on the face of it at Cardiff, I don’t see how either Hauritz or Swann & Panesar were or could have been match winners here ahead of any other type of bowler. If the pitch is flat, dead and true and will be for 25 days apart from the odd bowlers follow through, picking specialist players for different Tests seems largely obsolete.

To ensure no possibility of a result, the ECB took the incredible decision of not only starting this series outside England, but also picking the wettest ground available. Peerages must be inevitable for these bright chaps. That the visitors almost prevailed bodes ill for England’s chances in this series. Depending how much attention you pay to history, I believe England haven’t won the first Ashes test for decades, and haven’t beaten Australia at Lords since the 1930’s. So, why on earth choose Lords for the 2nd Test??? Apparently the Venue Selection meeting began with the statement; ‘Gentlemen, under no circumstances do we want to be ahead after 2 Tests’. Where is the 3rd Test, the Gabba? Or maybe Wales has some other wetter Test standard grounds and the whole series could be played there.

Referring back to Nasser Hussein’s earlier quote, this is an Australian team arriving after beating the supremely talented South Africans away from home and who beat England (& Wales) 5-0 the last time they met. They are stuffed full with class, potential and experience. When 4 of the team are outscoring Mrs Cricket by 100+ runs (and the tail didn’t even get a bat), you can only fear for the pretty England bowlers who try so elegantly for so little return, for the rest of this series. I’ve said since the 5-0 drubbing in Australia that Harmison has to be picked at home, and left there when the team tour. With the depreciating Flintoff, he’s the only bowler available who can, albeit on his day, ruffle Aussie feathers. But I can’t remember England (& Wales) ever picking their best XI, so why begin now?

However close or otherwise this match played out, England have done very well to get a draw. Does it matter if both teams were 1000-5 after 5 days, or that one team nearly won/lost? I don’t think so. England (&Wales) only have to win the series 1-0. That is the only bottom line. Offer that to any Englander now and you’re hand, arm and shoulder would disappear with it. It’s currently 0-0, as good a start as they’ve had in recent memory. Not that you would sniff this from the press. Maybe some ‘Welsh’ rain can help them at Lords? Then by the 3rd Test when England (& etc) are picking something like their best side, and the Aussies have a niggle or two in a tiring squad, we might see the home side edge ahead. Or it may end up 4-0 to the Aussies. If I had to put £1 on a series result, it might be 50p each way on 3-0 or 4-0. I hope it’s a lot closer, if only to hear the blinkered brigade get excited and xenophobic for a while. As its bad form to criticise without offering alternatives, here is my England ((& Wales) & Scotland XI): K Fraser (c), WG Grace, C Ellis, K Pietersen, J Bates, M Bevan, J Russell (wk), I Botham, R Illingworth (always an idea to have an umpire in your side), H Larwood, G Small.

Will blether again after the next debacle…

Pope Helped By Usama To Cut Out The Chatt

One of the highlights of the 2nds game was a stunning running catch by Usama at square leg to dismiss Div 5 top batsman Darren Chatt (400+ runs). It was not one of James' better balls!

Our bowlers did really well to dismiss Peebles for 190 odd; they could compete in Div 1 with a number 11 who had already scored a century for them this year. Andy took 2-24, Tom bowled their good opener with a beauty, Coco did really well in his 9 over spell, and Gerry took 4 wkts in his second spell plus two fine catches. Excellent field placing prevented fours on either side of the wicket, while keeping fielders in catching position, including slips. No-one scored more 25 for Peebles though extras scored 34. They were impressed by our performance. A full turnout of all 11 HX players in the pub afterwards would have impressed them too.

Unfortunately the wicket was not true as keeper Shifty found balls either striking his helmet or bouncing twice. Paul & Ziggy took us to 32-1 after 11 overs, Ziggy being particularly brutal on their South African, pulling him and hitting him over his head for two fours, before being bowled by a beauty.

Then we capitulated. A needless runout did not help as we lost 5 wickets for hardly any. Andrew batted really well, hitting four balls for four (19*), including a lovely straight drive - who said he only has one shot? Their 1st change bowler, Paul Osborne, took 6 wickets in about four overs, so it was all over in about 20 overs.

Many thanks to Angus Wolfe Murray for his excellent umpiring (though Coco would not agree).

I should add that James was bowled by a lady, not a good omen for the clash with Charlotte on Tuesday!

Saturday 11 July 2009

3rds the only winners

I believe that the 1sts lost:
All out for 90 odd chasing the 230ish made by Boroughmuir.
Bates and Bonfield the only batsmen with significant scores.
Dougie apparently the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/25.

2nds also lost:
Peebles 190+ all out: Holy Cross 2nd XI 64.

3rds won:
Holy Cross III 191-6 (20 points)
Largo IV 182-8 (9 points)

Further info to follow.

Friday 10 July 2009

League Weekend 11 and the Week Ahead


Another full Saturday League programme -

  • 1sts vs Boroughmuir, at Arbo, 1pm start.
  • 2nds vs Peebles County, away, 1.30pm start.
  • 3rds vs Largo 4ths, at Campbell Park, 1.30 pm start.

We have a midweek friendly against Murrayfield-DAFS on Tuesday night at Arbo. Numbers are already looking better than last week, so please hurry to sign up by commenting here, e-mailing me or buttonholing Captain McGill over the weekend.

Nets as usual on Wednesday evening at Newfield, roughly 6.30 start.

Good luck to all.

Cross Slip Out of Cow Corner

Last night Arboretum, which has produced buckets of runs all season, hosted a curiously low-scoring, but oddly close Cow Corner quarter-final.

Our innings never quite got going against some accurate Fauldhouse bowling (especially from the McDonald brothers) and a deep-set field, with Keith (28) the only batsman to put together much of a knock, and we were all out for 94 with a few balls to spare.

Fauldhouse set off quickly but were pegged back when Bainbro dismissed both Allan brothers in his opening spell. The Ali brothers then put together the biggest stand of the match before Tom Wright, on his full debut (standing at slip for 13 overs at Largo doesn't really count), lucked out as Zaheer spanked a full toss to backward square. Vikram (who was in the middle of an excellent, but luckless, spell at the other end) pouched the catch most casually. With Dougie chipping in with a tight spell and a couple of wickets (one from another fine catch by Ziggy), the opposition were getting just a little nervous and a run-out left them six down with a handful of runs and just two overs to go. James Burgess, coming on for the first time, bowled a tight penultimate over, but Fauldhouse scored the winning runs off the first ball of the 20th.

We had two neutral umpires who normally stand in the National League. As in the SCU Trophy quarter-final against Helensburgh, they were kind enough to say that it had been a pleasure to be involved in a game where people were playing because they enjoy cricket, where there was no bad feeling betwen the sides and where no decision was disputed.

By the way, if anyone's still wondering where Charlie's beard has gone, Vikram's got it.

Young Child Growing Up

We're thrilled to hear news of Jeremy "Young Child" Preece. For those of you unfortunate enough never to meet Jezza, he is a force of nature, a perpetual motion (and talking) machine, a fine swing bowler, a brilliant fielder (who could forget the superb catch in the mist versus MUFS in what turned out to be the 2004 Div 2 title decider?) and, pre-Bainbro, the Cross's most enthusiastic barbecuer. Recruited from the University where he was studying medicine, Jezza took to the Cross in a big way. Anyway, here's what he wrote -

Just been checking up on yous all through the website. Looks very nice and means I can keep in touch. Sounds like a good season for the 1s so far. Unfortunately I'm going to be stuck in Devon now for the foreseeable future but I suspect there will still be a regular trip north to catch up... Not playing much cricket at all either - curse the working life. Still, other things going well - in fact, getting married in March.... And you can let Dougie know that it's not a wee nursie but another doctor... Will hope to be up soon to catch up with one and all but please send on my regards and the best of luck for the rest of the season - C'mon the cross!

Thursday 9 July 2009

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Ashes highlights



Anyone without Sky/ who misses the C5 highlights (does anyone else struggle to get C5 on Freeview?) may find this website of use:

http://cricket-online.tv/

McGill's (7) Midweek Men defeated by OCs


I'm reliably informed the by man pictured (left) that the Midweek team (of just seven*, with Michael of the rugby club sub-fielding) lost to 9 OCs, including ex-Crossers Dominic Mason and Willie McIntyre (before my time, so check spelling Mr Admin).

At Arboretum.

Holy Cross 134/5 (20 overs)
After the openers (Pickering and McGill...) fell early, Bainbro with 42* (giving another nudge to the selectors...) and the returning Rupert Barker with an undefeated 50 batted well.

OCs 135/5 (19 overs)
No bowling performances deemed worthy of note (perhaps Coco got some tap??). Colin was sorry to report that D. Wilkie (playing for the Cross) was dismissed first ball and conceded 'about 50' from his three overs.

* This a pity given that these games are a useful way of getting 'middle time'. The next midweek game is next Tuesday against the Muffers. who are likely to field a fairly strong side.

Monday 6 July 2009

Cup Dates Update

As Paul notes below, we now know our opponents for the Presidents Trophy semi-final, so here's the updated schedule for the Club's various cup campaigns -

  • Thursday 9th July - Cow Corner Twenty:20 Trophy, quarter-final vs Fauldhouse at Arboretum, 6pm.
  • Sunday 19th July - SCU Trophy, semi-final vs North of Scotland Select at Arboretum, 1pm .
  • Sunday 26th July - Presidents Trophy, semi-final vs Kismet at Arboretum, 1 pm.

Sunday 5 July 2009

Only a Game....


I'm glad we don't experience anything like this in our games:

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Fifers-walk-off-over-bustup.5430185.jp

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/2471133/Teenage-umpire-bashed-after-not-out-decision

or bad-tempered bat-throwing....

President's Trophy Semi final

We meet Kismet in the President's Trophy semi final since Stirling conceded the 3rd round tie - in fact Kismet haven't played yet.

This should please Keith Geddes who has always maintained that some of the sides we had to play in Divs 7 & 8 were cracking sides who have since moved up to Divs 3 & 4, like Broomhall and Musselburgh & Kismet. They are near the top of Div 3 and should give our 1st XI a good challenge.

They are offering Holy Cross a choice of dates - July 12 or 26th - though it is of course Holy Cross' home game - we have another semi final on the 19th of course.

1sts Pip Mufs in Arbo Thriller


At a hot and sunny Arboretum.

Murrayfield/DAFS 227-4 (50 overs)
M Agerkar 57, R Black 52*, J Crus Rocha 49*, P Hubbard 43

Holy Cross 228-6 (49 overs)
C Ellis 87, D Russell 54*, C Smith 47
R Devangere 3-19 (a top class spell on a pitch generally favouring the batsmen despite Friday's heavy rain)

Super game of cricket that fluctuated throughout. The final stages played out in a cracking atmosphere with Mufs 2/3/4's players and our 2nds/3rds (plus our regular supporters; AR, HK and JLRB etc as well as Dougie's family) creating a sizeable, good-natured crowd.

An adequate performance in the field (crucially, as against Helensburgh we kept things quiet in the final few overs - despite Mufs having set batsmen in and wickets in hand).

After we seemed well set at 105-1 at the halfway point, things looking dicey for us with just 4 overs left and 34 required but some fine shots (from Dougie in particular; 54 off 61 balls) got us home, 17 runs coming off the key 47th over. Shot of the day may have been Bainbro's 1st ball; a class cover driven 4 off Mel, though the turning point may have been Simon's 4 just over the head of long off.

2nds and 3rds lost despite runs for Jon (2nds) and Nipun and Scott (3rds).

Better stop there as I've just returned from Bainbro's excellent Barbeque (we can surely now use the word now that it has taken place) and am somewhat less than sober.

Thursday 2 July 2009

Cross Cruise Through in Presidents Trophy


at Nielson Park, Haddington,

Haddington 61ao (16.5 overs)
I. Astley 3/4, C. McGill 2/5, D. Russell 1/7

Holy Cross 62/4 (13.5 overs)


The 1st XI made it through to the Presidents Trophy semi-finals on a gorgeous evening at Haddington. An efficient performance - especially in the field with 5 catches taken from 5 chances. Shannon's fine effort on the midwicket boundary was the pick, though the batsman was less than happy - a chair on the boundary taking the brunt of his frustration. With Shannon in the deep, Coco took over at slip and promptly pouched a sharp one that deflected off Spicker's gloves. Some slightly looser bowling and fielding let Haddington nearly double their score from 33-6 and they might have made more had their skipper not run out 3 (Three) of his team mates.

A few wickets gifted away by the experimental batting order but a comfortable victory.

7 wins in a row (in all competitions) for the 1st XI - let's continue that on Saturday vs the Muffers.

Wednesday 1 July 2009

League Weekend 10 and the Week Ahead

With tomorrow's Presidents Trophy quarter final away to Haddington still to come, this post may seem a little premature, but there's lots on and one or two important details to note, especially an early 1pm start for the 2nds.

Saturday games -
  • 1sts home at Arbo vs Murrayfield-DAFS, 1pm start.
  • 2nds away at Inch Park vs Edinburgh South, 1pm start.
  • 3rds home at Campbell Park vs Dunfermline 3rds, 1.30pm start
There's a very busy midweek schedule this week. On Tuesday we have an evening friendly vs the Old Contemptibles at Arbo. Volunteer by buttonholing Captain McGill, e-mailing me or posting a comment on this message. On Wednesday night there are nets at Newfield and on Thursday night Arbo is the venue for our Cow Corner Twenty20 Trophy quarter final vs Fauldhouse.

Ssssshhh.......don't tell Michael Fish.


The "event" that shall remain nameless which was cancelled last Saturday has rolled over to this Saturday to coincide with the birthday celebrations of one Simon Pickering.

Although depending where you look it may be the same story with the weather.

Not my fault this week if it is though.

See you all then.