Jonathan's real ability as a coach and to inspire performances of unexpected quality is when he turns out on the other side. Bowlers bowl with more accuracy, venom, flight and determination; batsmen are more diligent; fielders let nothing slip through the fingers....
Young Freddie Bond, last minute call up for the Stragglers and still with a year to go at Wellesley, did not get a chance to bat, but made a telling contribution with the ball. Brought on in with the game still in the balance at 81 for 3, the BOFs brimming with...
Stragglers of a certain vintage will recall the great Monica Seles, tennis player of some ability; but one who began the habit, now common in the women's game, of grunting with the effort of each shot. Sam was invited to open the bowling at Milstead, and not given...
Running without intent One has to ask if running on a matting wicket is that much harder than on grass. The evidence in St. Tropez would suggest that it must be. Of 32 wickets to fall in the weekend, one in six was a run out; and it should have been more if chances...
The 2015 season proved to be one of endless frustration, as too many enthusiastic Straggler teams were denied the chance of glory by a combination of some very unkind weather, and both early and late season cancellations. In almost every game we had XI players, and...
In the Benenden fixture of 2014, we faced the bowling of long term Benenden stalwart, Andrew Morrison, as he approached his 1,000th wicket for the Club. On that occasion the Stragglers showed sufficient fortitude to deny him, and Andrew had to wait another fortnight...
Tom had a torrid time dealing with the weather at Tenterden on Sunday. Although not as late as his skipper, Jasper, Tom managed to misjudge the rain delayed start to get in a round of golf at Deal and then have some lunch before setting off (is he taking lessons from...
The annual all Straggler fixture has involved a few familial contests over the years, but none have seen quite so many close relatives removed. The Gordons set the tone with reciprocal dismissals, when Joe bowled Alastair for his second Straggler wicket; Alastair...
One of the most enjoyable fixtures of the season, with cricket of the highest standard (and very few terracotta warriors in evidence, in spite of the most generous tea), is played at Provender. And it was a particular pleasure this year to welcome Joe Gordon, making...
A week is along time in politics, and an even longer time for a terracotta warrior, particularly one now blessed with blue suede shoes - the Elvis Presley of the terracotta army. The change of foot wear did not make him any earlier to the ground - Tom Spurling had...