Russell Regime Diktat # 0001

After years of lackadaisical 1st XI captaincy, Crossers have become used to a relaxed and enjoyable environment in which to enjoy their cricket. However, the team are now 'Under New Management'!!!

This is the first of a new series of commandments coming from the new, stricter, more driven captaincy team. Of course, I was an architect of the Old Way, but after being pinned against the wall at nets today by Mr Russell, I'm now a fully loyal member of the New Way.

With spittle firing angrily from his snarling gob I was told in no uncertain terms to send one of my "ranty things on the website" to inform the membership of the importance of attending nets. While all teams could be better represented, the 1st XI especially were under-represented.

Stealing a trick from top level sport, any player now claiming to be injured, shall now have to attend nets where a specialist physiotherapy unit shall examine the 'alleged' injury/ies. This will consist of being stood betwixt Coco & Mr Russell and only those demonstrably less fit than Them shall be given leave, albeit with a detailed exercise programme (20 tabs and a knee support).

Also, henceforth, all Crossers shall have to submit a Request Form to Mr Russell before booking any holidays. This should alleviate the constant 'off the island' excuses we seem to suffer despite nets and match dates being available weeks or months in advance.

Is this angry enough Dougie???

PS: I'm very, very aware of the hypocritical strain infecting this piece!!!!!

Casual Cross 1sts Claim 2nd Win

The lack of the promised umpires and then the lack of stumps (!) set the scene for a slightly sluggish start to the match. The pitch was shaved low and firm on top but it was clear from Shannon’s first short ball that bounce would be slow and a bit low. With Simon delayed, it was fortunate that Shifty could take over behind the stumps; doing well and leaving EC with a Clegg-like choice: go with the slightly grumpy incumbent or choose the younger man. Shifty's injured thumb relieved the skipper from taking this tricky decision.

Despite a couple of early wickets, the Cross were rather passive in the early stages as Hopcroft and the experienced Dale put together a solid partnership. A missed chance and some other misfields didn’t help and though Dougie trapped Dale lbw (and - following the Dr's example - injuring himself whilst celebrating!), this only brought in the dangerous Farooq.

He smacked 5 big sixes in his 35 and Glens were soon in the ascendancy. Andy got him with a short one that kept a little low and his skiddy bounce helped him gain figures of 5-41 (a week after taking 5 for the 2nds…hope he’s in your fantasy side). Among his wickets were two good c & b’s. Hopcroft finally fell for an excellent 73, mixing good defence with strong cuts and his trademark lofted drives. 189 was a competitive score and perhaps 40 more than would have been achieved against a tighter bowling and fielding display.

Openers Ellis and Pickering were given some gifts by some erratic Glens bowling and were soon on top. Pickering in particular was busy and ran well until running out of puff and falling for 51 out of an opening stand of 90. Charlie lost a bit of concentration and fell to a good nut from Hopcroft.

As the ball got softer and the Glens bowling got tighter, the Cross batsmen started to struggle and the run-rate fell to a trickle. Shannon lofted one to mid-off and Euan and Praveen were dismissed by Khan, returning with a good spell from the top end. Amid this collapse Calum played brightly and scored at a good rate. But, after missing with the same shot twice in the over, he tried to pull a short ball from Khan and was lb - at least he took it in good grace (I hope repairing the crater in the Glenrothes’ square won’t take too many hours…C. A. Smith clearly the early leader in the 'race' for the Bradley Trophy). The Cross run-rate declined to a trickle before specialist tonker Vikram joined the action and struck his 4th ball for a big straight 6 to complete victory.

Some good play from Cross but far too much sloppy stuff. A better standard of play (especially in the field) will be needed this Saturday at home to Carlton 2nds.

scorecard here

brief mention for Spick here

Urgent Appeal

Recently lost at Arboretum.

If found please return to the club Secretary, as it remains unclear which Crosser it belongs to (the youngest members of the Robertson, Fraser, Worsnop and Russell families have denied that it belongs to them).

perhaps it belongs to this man:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrp53wKHgb0