Weekly Updates 2019

Highlights clearly belonged to Nick Henry (6/29 off 7 overs) and Will Hammersley (111*), combining with Charlie Beardall (81*) powering a first wicket stand of 196 in just 19.5 overs. All done and dusted by 5.50pm. Phew.

Nick was crucial to restricting the visitors to just 195, removing their key bat (with an intimidatingly colourful cap) who had motored menacingly to 47 in double quick time. He was ably supported by Charles Henry (unlucky to be wicketless in a fiery opening spell) and Charlie B (bowling an impeccable line for his 2/29).

Lovely tea courtesy of the Simons family, a welcome guest appearance from Stonor’s Mark Lovatt, and a fearless spell of umpiring from Clive Seigal rounded out a nice day in the countryside.

With apologies for my absence, here are some items which have caught my eye. All correspondence will be dutifully ignored.

1. Before you ask, I am tipping England on Thursday. Given where Australia was 12 months ago, I think we have already over achieved in the competition. And for those of you I haven’t bothered yet with this opinion, I have a massive man crush on Alex Carey. Complete cricketer, and break out star of the tournament for my money. Also, David Warner? Go away! Finally, Virat Kohli quieting the boos aimed at Steve Smith – I take everything back, what a fine fellow. An outworking of the IPL I reckon as international cricketers spend more time playing on the same teams.

2. Run rates. You will need to concentrate here, but worthwhile. Test cricket is faster scoring with the advent of ODIs and 20/20, right? No, actually, largely because over rates have plummeted. Overs/hour up until the 1940s were 20-21. Compare this with the 90s (14.3), 2000s (14.1) and 2010s (13.95). So, while Runs/over have risen (even there, perhaps less dramatically than you might have thought – 90s, 2.82 runs per over, 2000s and 2010s, 3.18 runs per over), Runs/Hour have actually fallen from the 70s and 80s (45 runs per hour) to the 2000s (44.8) and 2010s (44.3). Altogether now – ‘something must be done!’ (bring back Boycott?).

3. Coco Gauff. 15. Bloody hell. Did you know she was a finalist at the US Open Juniors tournament 2 years ago aged just 13. Juniors is for 18 years and younger. Feel free to taunt your children about their achievements at age 13…

4. Australia v India 5 Test series 18/19. Only one Indian wicket fell to LBW. Remarkable in the DRS era, no? First time this has happened since the 1884/5 Ashes. Go on, dazzle your friends…

5. More essential trivia – highest Test score without a contribution from extras? Pakistan’s 328 v India at Lahore in 1954/55. In 187.5 overs. Cripes.

Look forward to seeing you soon. Early shout out for the V&A fixture on 27 July (at Stonor). 11.30 start, excellent lunch. Let me know.

Cheers