The annual season finale at Hollingbourne, perched in a bowl in the Downs gloriously looking south across the Weald, was locked in controversy, as senior staff at the ECB were called in to rule on Nige’s unconventional choice of footwear. Apparently he had left the correct boots in Toulouse (don’t ask), and was obliged to bring out shoes normally reserved for nights out on the dance floors of Folkestone (probably better not to ask again). Fielding in his usual position at mid on, safe from urgent activity, Nige brought his shoes into play on a number of occasions to deny almost certain boundaries, with uncommonly deft footwork. To take the heat out of the situation, Nige has given assurances that blue suede will be back in the cupboard come the 2015 season.
The team of Straggler analysts working furiously behind the scene (along withe the dietician, physio and team brewers) have spotted a very positive correlation between Straggler success on the field and the Smallwood index. In every game this year, when the Smallwood index has peaked at 4, the Stragglers have emerged triumphant. The index dipping to 3 or lower clearly affects the balance of the team. Something to look out for in 2015.