[Posted: 22/04/08 07:21:18]

The 2008 summer will be my eleventh living in the village and I think it is fair to say during that time I have never seen so much enthusiasm and optimism in the pre-season build-up. Following four successive promotions for the Saturday 1st XI, there is every reason for viewing the months ahead as a testing time for that particular squad. However the interest generated by some pretty impressive acquisitions on the playing front made last weekend's players' meeting an extremely well-attended event.

Shaun Calladine as the new skipper, set out his aspirations and, perhaps more importantly, the standards that he expects from those in the squad. This was backed up by newcomer Richard Moxon who will be vice-captain for 2008. Vitally, in my opinion, Richard can boast a wealth of experience at this level and his contribution will be a major factor in the months ahead.

Other new signings this year include all-rounder Steve Snell, bowler Matt Gilray, Ryan Savill (who needs little introduction) and giant leg-spinner Daniel Stumbles. With last year's batsman of the year Kemsley Robb having safely returned from South Africa, the side has a very strong look indeed.

Barry Rudlin has taken on an important role as Team Organiser which will be an enormous help to the captain. He has proven administrative capability and the availability to ensure that things run smoothly but he will nevertheless be looking for all concerned to communicate their availabilities to him in a timely manner.

The arrival of these players will drain down to the 2nd XI and surely Marc Fox's team can escape from Division 7 after narrowly missing out in 2007. The importance of having our two Saturday sides closer to each other in the league should not be underestimated and there will be considerable disappointment if we fail to finish in the top two again.

With a playing list of around 85, there should be massive competition for places and we have some very decent colts that I hope will be making an impact in the senior sides this year. Net sessions have been well attended and even a couple of 5th XI stalwarts were seen in action on Sunday afternoon after the game against the local Hillbillies had to be cancelled despite a massive amount of effort put in by the volunteer groundstaff. Rainfall and drainage (especially at the start of the season) will always be a problem at The Brow and it really came as no surprise to most that the match could not be played.

There is so much promise at ADCC in all departments: let us now fulfil it!

[Posted: 13/02/08 11:39:03]

My life changed on 19 August 2007. At least my perception on the 'game' of cricket changed and not for the better either!

When, whilst batting, I impulsively intervened to prevent a violent confrontation between two of our opponents generating into a farcical situation, it was because I valued the traditions of the game which dictated that such unsavoury incidents had no place in cricket.

My actions, which were widely praised by members of both teams at the time, seemed only to have left me with a slightly strained shoulder and (being such a natural athlete) I assumed that this was only a passing discomfort and I readily consoled myself that it had been the 'right thing' to do.

This was a view which I harboured with diminishing certainty for around one week. It soon became evident that this was no ordinary strain as my shoulder movement became severely impinged and increasingly painful.

Numerous visits to my usual physio proved fruitless and I could take no further part in the cricket season, a situation that I discussed with our own 'bone and muscle' man David Schofield one afternoon at the club. Upon examination, he was concerned with the lack of movement I was able to exhibit and, after sticking a few needles in me, recommended I see a local surgeon of repute.

A cortisone injection produced no improvement and, following an MRI scan, the great man advised a surgical procedure called a subacromial decompression. This I duly underwent and am now at the start of a lengthy period of convalescence.

So, would I intervene if the situation presented itself again? I am sorry to say that the answer is an emphatic 'No'! Quite apart from the not inconsiderable financial implications of loss of earnings, extortionate physiotherapists' bills and fees for hospital, suregon and anaethetist (I am clearly in the wrong business!), the inability to play cricket, squash and golf for what will amount to eight months pending successful recovery, hurts a great deal. My eagerly awaited November golfing and diving holiday was also destined for disappointment as I could participate in neither activity.

I am not looking forward to the daily 'battle' on the central line either. Survival there depends on the speed and agility of an olympic sprinter allied to the strength and aggression of a rugby league forward. At present, I am sadly deficient in all departments.

Lesson learned, I think I will let somebody else get involved next time and bugger the consequences for the protagonists!

[Posted: 17/09/07 14:17:55]

The 2007 season has seen Tom Pike finally emerge as the talent that many knew existed but wondered when it would blossom. I felt that he was comfortably the most promising ADCC colt in his age group, but the diminutive Pike has often flattered to deceive and, following his senior maiden ton against Stoke Manderville III when he was just sixteen, he had to wait until last year to record his second against East Bergholt.

However, during this campaign he has matured into a reliable bat with a string of decent performances culminating in an excellent 127 against Very Little Baddow at the tail end of August. His displays behind the stumps have also improved although he modestly plays down his stumping ability and has developed a surprisingly grumpy demeanour for somebody so young!

This was never more evident than at the Castle Park last weekend when he required 22 to achieve a personal landmark and was dismissed without troubling the scorers having been run out after a mix up with Tom Henderson. It is a long walk back at the Park and Pike certainly took his time with much headshaking as he adopted a pose reminiscent of a trademark ‘Shaun Whitfield trudge’.

Nevertheless, Tom has come of age in 2007 and I confidently expect him to play a major part in the seasons to come.

[Posted: 26/08/07 06:23:42]

Over the last seven days, our club has sadly had to contend with two extremely unfortunate and distasteful occurrences on the field of play.

Firstly, we witnessed two members of the fielding side about to engage in full scale war and a major incident may have been averted by one of our own batsmen risking life and limb (almost literally) to keep the protagonists apart.

Worse was to follow this weekend when, after a ‘few words’ between batsman and bowler, an opposing fieldsman took it upon himself to physically assault one our players. His actions are unlikely to go unpunished: the neutral umpires standing will certainly report the disgusting episode to the authorities resulting in a lengthy ban and I am sure that the club concerned, one with very high principles, will carry out their own sentencing.

There is no place for unpleasant scenes such as this on the cricket field and all clubs must act positively to eradicate what is a worryingly escalting trend of unnecessarily aggressive behavior. When I started playing the game, people were shocked by the very occasional act of ‘sledging’ and a captain was quick to preserve the good name of his club.

Nowadays, much of the ‘on field banter' reaches far beyond what is amusing and acceptable. If this situation is not addressed promptly, I fear it will be too late!

[Posted: 18/07/07 04:19:26]

Sneaking over the club last Saturday afternoon, as I am occasionally inclined to do when my nearest and dearest is looking the other way or consulting one of her many recipe books to decide on what culinary delights she is going to conjure for our tea, I was hugely privileged to witness what, after considerable deliberation, I regard as the finest shot I have ever seen by a non-professional.That is not an accolade that I award lightly. Although I have myself only been a player of, at best, mediocre ability, I have nevertheless been fortunate enough to have played against and alongside some exceptional cricketers in my 36 year career.

I am referring to the exquisite late cut that was sublimely executed by Abberton's prolific opening batsman Shaun Calladine. It was so late that the Hadleigh wicket keeper was left staring into his gloves in disbelief as our man teased the ball backward of point with such grace that three fielders took chase believing it would not reach the boundary. Timed to perfection it outran all three of them, which just proves that you don't have to belt the skin off the ball to score your runs!