Warmest greetings to all Christleton CC members and friends. Little has changed cricket-wise since the last newsletter. The weather continues to be glorious and you can imagine how perfect it would have been this afternoon on our lovely ground. We’ll never take it for granted after this experience will we? So we’ll continue with a browsing through some April matches of the past. More lockdown news follows , including suggestions for children’s activities in a limited space.

1st XI v Bollington 26/04/2008

The second game of the season in 2008 saw our 1stXI entertain Bollington on a cool, overcast day at Little Heath. At this early stage of the season, these sound like ideal bowling conditions and this was skipper Matt Parkinson’s thought as he invited the visitors from East Cheshire to take first knock. Both sides had strong line-ups that day that included future Cheshire players, with Callum Rowe opening the batting for Bollington, whilst Rick Moore was at number 3 for Christleton. Both players did well for their teams. However, it was Christleton’s popular and prolific all-rounder Iroshan de Silva who was the pivotal player, producing a tour-de-force with both bat and ball.

The Bollington innings progressed quite serenely to 50 before Rowe was out for a patient 21. Form this point, wickets tumbled regularly and at 90-7 after 37 overs, the visitors were in trouble. Then N. Iqbal, batting at number 9 for Bolly, produced a dazzling counter-attack, hitting 53 from only 26 balls to boost the final total to 149 all out. Iroshan took 6-47 from a long spell. He also took a catch and had a direct-hit run out. There was also a catch for Russell Anderson that day– what a fielder this young man was.
After tea Iroshan (68) and Rick (61*) put on a watchful and patient 129 for the second wick-et as the Swans overhauled the target with 2 overs to spare, with Simon Jones making a cultured 2* in with Rick at the end.

So for Iroshan that day, runs, wickets, catches and run outs. All of this was achieved as always with class, great technique and the minimum of fuss. And for the team, 20 useful points. The scoring that season was done by Rick’s dad Andy Moore, and the book is immaculate and a real credit to him.

Pictured above…
Iroshan getting 4 more through backward point and with head outfield groundsman and former 2nd XI captain, Brian Wareing

2nds earn a hard-fought victory at Offerton

We’re going back 25 years to a second week of the season game at Offerton in April 1995. TakeThat were at Number 1 for the third consecutive week with the classic ‘Back for good’ as the Swans tried to find the ground in deepest Stockport in the days before satnav. Bob Lewis was captain that season and asked the hosts to take first use of a damp early-season pitch. The attack fired with good control in helpful bowling conditions, restricting Offerton to 143-7 after 45 overs. The opening bowlers Bob Lewis and ‘Eggsy’ Quayle demonstrated relentless accuracy and had combined figures of 26 overs, 3-52. There were also wickets for Charlie Scales and Bob Ellis. For the bowlers it was fists of pure emotion, for the batters just a head of shattered dreams. 55m views can’t be wrong….(Ed: See what you did there 😉 )

https://youtube.com/watch?v=N2ICtCO8TCw

Mentioned in dispatches

In April 2005 Swans 2ndXI visited Bollington Rec. Jimmy Dathan was like a finely-tuned engine that day, firing on all cylinders to record figures of 7-4-5-4, with 3 victims bowled and one caught by skipper Wareing. Richard Morgan-Jones had 3 victims bowled. Ian Rule and Russell Anderson bowled one batter each. This was a remarkable innings in which 8 batsmen were bowled, 1 caught and 1 run out. Bolly’s 72 was knocked off for 1 wicket after tea.

In the interests of balance, I am aware that although 2 of today’s wins were against Bollington, not all of our games against these tough opponents went so well!

Lockdown

We are indebted to all those bodies who are supporting cricket clubs during these extraordinary times. The Cheshire Board, The ECB, Cheshire West and Chester Council have all been welcome sources of advice and support for which we are most grateful. The latest ECB communication to clubs can be found here:
https://ecb-comms.co.uk/t/1FT6-6UBN4-2E2203387/cr.aspx
You will find news about the club game and the professional game. Parents of young children may like to download the All Stars booklet which can be accessed via a link in the document. The skills challenges look good, especially if you have kind neighbours who will throw you the odd ball back.

The nice people at Fearnley Cricket have posted a series of cricket practice videos that can be done in small groups or even individually. Cricketers young and old can have hours of fun and get some valuable practice by doing these activities. One of the youngsters is hitting the ball very confidently towards windows. Be careful– this can lead to difficult conversations with parents– I remember such moments only too well!

The videos can be found here: 
https://www.fearnleycricket.co.uk/kidsathome/practice-videos.html?utm_source=Fearnley+Cricket+Shop&utm_campaign=33ca3a7e95-Black+Friday+Extended_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_63c47f5bfb-33ca3a7e95-61860489

Another skills challenge that I can recommend is not cricket related. It’s a basketball app but it offers a good variety of interesting challenges that can safely be done in a restricted area. Normally $7.99 a month, Home Court is free until 31st May. It’s Homecourtai at the app store with this logo.

Take care, stay safe.