Welcome to Wizzy News – our weekly roundup of news and events at Wisborough Green Cricket Club.

The rules of cricket

The rules of cricket can sometimes seem confusing. For those who are new to the game here is a great 1 1/2 minute video explaining what a no-ball is. What better person to explain it than Stephen Fry, former MCC President and lifelong cricket fan ..

RunWisborough

RunWisborough is in its 10th year and we look forward to welcoming runners from far and wide to our annual event on Sunday 7 June at 9:30 .

The organisers are looking for help on the day please – contact Michelle Kilford on tel 07540 546638 if you can help in any way ..

Just a gentle reminder to residents that roads will be closed between 9:15 and 11:15 on Sunday morning

Please click here for the RunWisborough site to signup, view the race day schedule, route map and parking map.

Honours Boards

Every week we recognise some noteworthy performances by our players. Congratulations to all the players who appear on the boards this week

Friday night training

Under 5-7 age group training

Just a quick reminder that all age groups will be training on the Green on Friday evening except the Under 5-7 age group who are having a break this week.

Parking 

Parking along the Kirdford road remains an issue for us during Friday night training. Last year an ambulance was unable to get through and had to drive across a section of the green to reach a sick patient in one of the properties in Wyatt Close, we clearly cannot have a repeat of this. We ask you to park at the Village Hall or Songhurst Meadow and walk to the green from there.

Kit

We have lots of information on our ‘Ordering Kit‘ web page including a link to the Gray Nicholls Store online store where kit can be purchased. The web page includes some useful videos on how to choose the right junior bat , how to choose the right bat size and how much you should spend on a junior bat. We have also included details of helmet sizes and a pads size guide.

Hats

Our new hats have arrived – they can be purchased at the BBQ on Friday evening – juniors £10 , ladies £12 and senior men £15

Stem/neck guards

We have recently purchased a number of green helmets with stemguards that are available to use. Can we please appeal to all juniors playing hardball matches to wear stemguards on their helmets. This is now mandatory and will also be rolled out for all those under the age of 18yo within the Adult League. Sussex Cricket have made it very clear – no stem guard – no batting in matches.

Upcoming Fixtures

Many of our teams are in action again this next week and all of our age group fixtures are available on the ECB’s Playcricket website –please click here

Our Second X1 match will be livestreamed on Saturday :

• on Playcricket : https://wisboroughgreen.play-cricket.com/Matches
• on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@WisboroughGreenCricketClub . Please don’t forget to subscribe…

• First X1 are away to Arundel on Saturday afternoon at 1pm
• Second X1 are at home to Eastergate at 1pm on Saturday
• Women’s Softball team are at home to Petworth on Monday evening at 6pm
• Under 12’s are away to Horsham Trinity on Saturday morning
• Under 11 mixed team are away to Horsham on Tuesday evening
• Under 11 girls team are at home to Horsham Trinity on Wednesday evening at 6 pm
• Under 10’s are at home to Lingfield on Saturday morning

Team selections

Match reports

First X1 vs Southwater

You’ve elected to do what?!…

Last Saturday brought an unbeaten Southwater to the Green, along with record temperatures for May. The skipper won his first toss of the season and with it being blisteringly hot, Kleino and Tommy went to get their pads on and the bowlers their flip flops. Cue a classic Vickery announcement that he’d in fact elected to field, in the middle of the day, in 30 degree heat…

Thus ensued the longest 38 overs in cricketing history with Farmer licking his lips at the thought of telling Dan ‘I told you so’. Junior and Dave opened the bowling and got off to a steady start, with a tough catch off Johnny Mills unfortunately put down on 0, something we may come to regret. After a good first 4 overs, Mills decided that he now had his eye in and the Wisborough Green bowlers had little to no reply, with Junior picking up the wicket of Smith in his first spell with a finely taken catch by Ash. We won’t talk about the bowling figures but Southwater went from 47/1 in the 9th over to 208/2 in the 20th over with Mills now sending the ball to all parts of Wisborough, to the annoyance of the neighbouring properties! Byron and Josh rallied in the heat without getting much luck, Napper picking up a well deserved wicket, caught again by Ash who was quickly becoming the only man on the field enjoying himself.

Farmer and Ash then came into the attack with Farms finally picking up the wicket of Mills who scored an impressive 188 off 73 balls, Green rueing missed chances to get him earlier. Farms bowled an encouraging spell, good to see him turning his arm over with confidence again!

The wicket of Mills gave the Green a much needed reset and Ash Perry decided he was going to be the man to lead the resurgence. A very nice spell by Ash taking 3 wickets, along with an excellent bit of fielding off his own bowling to get a run out, with all 4 wickets arriving across 10 of his balls. Junior and Dave were then brought back on to boost their wicket tally and mop up the tail. An excellent fightback from the Green saw Southwater collapse from 334/4 to 367 all out. Tremendous effort by all involved in conditions rarely seen in Adelaide, let alone Wisborough.

Vickery and Klein walked out in the now, much cooler evening sun, knowing a quick start was needed if we were to chase 367 down. Not only this, but Vickery also feeling the pressure after making his team field in the sun for 3 hours(!) Unfortunately, both fell for single figures and found ourselves 19/2 off 2 overs. Insert the leagues best number 3 in Tommy Colbran who gave a classic Tommy performance and dug in to try and stem the flow of wickets, having decent partnerships with Josh and Byron who went for 15 and 6 respectively. Tommy scored a hard fought 30 but got a decent ball to leave Green on 74/6 with the target now turning to getting as many bonus points as possible. Nick Reed, Farms and Jack all struggled to get a start and with the score now 85/8, we were looking down the barrel of a very heavy defeat.

Enter Ash Perry, the man of the day. Who, well supported by Junior, proceeded to again drag the Green through the match and set out to show Mills how to hit a proper 6! Ash’s innings became more of a safety concern as senior Wisborough Green officials were dotted around the ground apologising to residents for any damage caused, I guess we’ll never know who smashed the window. Ash and Junior put on a great partnership of 86 to take the score to 171/8 before Ash succumbed on 66 off 41, a great knock! With 9 runs required to achieve maximum bonus points, a feat no one would have imagined after the first 20 overs of the day, out strolled Dave, the leagues best number 11 to get us over the line (no bias here).

Unfortunately, Junior got a ball that popped on a length, the first to do so all day, and fell for 23, leaving Wisborough all out for 172. I guess we’ll never know what Dave could have done…

The post-match shower debrief somehow concluded that, brutal as the first innings had been in that heat, bowling first probably allowed the Green to secure more bonus points than batting first would have. This conveniently allowed Vickery to claim the afternoon as a tactical masterclass and meant Farmer had to bite his tongue for another week.

A tough afternoon against probably the strongest side in the league, but with bonus points secured, windows broken and Vickery somehow escaping a disciplinary hearing, the Green move on to Arundel this Saturday.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Dave Griffiths

Many thanks to club photographer Chris Marshall for the great pics

Tough day at the office for skipper Dan Vickery

Good day behind the stumps Nick Reed

James Rainford airborne – fantastic technique and commitment as always.

Josh May demonstrating that spin bowling and doing the Hohey Cokey are one and the same thing – left leg in , right leg out, left arm up, right are arm over …

Byron Napper desperately trying to read the love notes written by his Mrs while bowling …

Its not fair – his bat is this big – Jonny Farmer and Byron Napper

Total concentration from Nick Klein – hair perfectly in place. Important to try and look your best on the cricket field ..

Ash Perry eyeing up for a big one ..

Ash Perry proving that there is more to him than just hitting the ball after bagging 3 scalps

There should be a fine for those socks and sandals Jack Dixon – spotted talking to skipper Dan Vickery with Josh May struggling with the English heat ..

Second X1 vs Horley

It would be fair to say that the seconds haven’t really found their mojo away from home this season yet, as they fell to an agonising defeat to Horley in a game they could and should have won.

Chasing 160 after bowling beautifully to restrict the opposition when they were targeting 230 in the first innings, our batting never really fired, no one felt in, and we coughed and spluttered to chasing losing bonus points.
Senior debuts were handed to u15s Will Spiers and Henry Bruce who both performed extremely commendably in the field, Henry bowling 4 overs for 11, and Will ‘keeping well on a horrible surface. The rest of the bowlers were great, we caught out catches and gave great energy in the field.

Next week we’re back on the Green where we know we can perform, but we must turn good form into results if we’re going to achieve our ambitions this year. The seconds have it in them to be a leading team in the division. We just haven’t necessarily displayed it with the regularity that we must.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Tim Palmer Captain

Women’s Softball team vs Fernhurst

Wisborough women narrowly miss out against Fernhurst in a closely fought contest

Click here for the full scorecared

Not the worst place in the world to have a game of cricket on a Sunday morning …

Scorers table keeping an eye on proceedings – Ciara Braddock, Jenny Jones and the Chiddingfold scorer

Wisborough’s Barmy Army out in full force on Sunday morning …

Barmy Army at the newly named rose corner …

Sunday X1 vs Petworth

The warmest May Sunday in UK history, was to be the backdrop for the visit of Petworth CC. The Green looked lush, the sky almost royal blue without a cloud to blemish ,and you could fry an egg on my forehead.

A 2pm start (due to an earlier ladies’ game), threw the majority of the Wisborough players who all arrived an hour early. I found them all hunkered down in the home dressing room, trying to keep cool.

Wisborough won the toss and elected to bowl. Based entirely on the fact Frank needed to leave in 4 hours and we needed to use every inch of his Vickery talent. He opened the bowling from the pavilion end. Reliable, accurate and notoriously difficult to get away, Franky didn’t disappoint. 7 strong overs from him (including a wicket) and 5 overs initially from Henrey Foden. Henry teased and temped, keeping the runs low but without forcing a wicket. That all changed when he came on for his second spell, and he cleaned up his former schoolteacher lbw. Mr Franklin muttered something as he turned to the pavilion having seen his fate. Probably just pleased to see his former pupil bowling so well.

Buddy Edwardes made a welcome return to the cricket field. He is a fine cricketer and I was delighted to have him in the team again. Buddy stuck with it, despite some strong batting from the Petworth number 6. He also committed fully on the midwicket boundary, where he was kept extremely busy.

A huge moment in the game was the wicket of Petworth number 4 Fred Primmer. Caught Josh May, bowled Maggie Swalwell. Maggie was a late recruit the night before when I was staring at a team sheet of nine. She played a ladies game in the morning, took a blow to the elbow, and made her Sunday Supplements debut a few hours later. Fully committed in the field, she came on to bowl second change and immediately looked at home. When Primmer miscued one to Josh May, she took her first of surely many wickets to come. The team embraced her and she produced a smile to rival Josh Dixon .

Josh May bowled 4 quality overs and took a wicket caught at slip by a salmon-like Chris Marshall. For a man so slow in the field, the lightening reactions took even him by surprise and it stuck in his hands above his head. May returned the favour and caught one off Marshall. James Rainford took a couple of quick wickets including a fine caught and bowled. Credit must also go to Josh Braddock who kept wicket. Josh is naturally gifted (and naturally chirpy!). He’s a welcome Sunday regular. Petworth finished on 236 in their 35 overs.

After a tea that most players were too hot to eat, Wisborough opened up with Frank Vickery and Josh May. Frank looks like a Sunday cricketer these days. No helmet – just an old school baggy green Wisborough cap, with one white batting glove and one blue batting glove. It wasn’t until about 12 over of umpiring him that I noticed it was MY blue batting glove. He managed to find the matching white one in the drinks break and mine was returned to my bag. Josh May – surely used to this swealtering heat, found every ball was coming off the middle of his bat. He pinged the ball effortlessly to all corners of the Green, before a mixup over a single and a direct hit robbed Josh of an inevitable big score. 42 and some shots out of the locker show we have made a fine overseas signing for the club. He is a gentleman and great fun, and we look forward to enjoying an Australian’s success for a change.

Frank made 18 before he was bowled and dashed off slightly late for Daddy Day Care. Buddy Edwardes didn’t trouble the Play-Cricket scorers but still should be commended for stepping up when others weren’t so keen to bat at 4. Rugby player Henry Foden looks a good cricketer too, and I hope he’s a Sunday regular. He smashed 21 before being bowled. Which brough James (Junior) Rainford and Ash Perry together at the crease, as they had been the day before for the 1st XI. I am delighted that Ash and Junior have volunteered to play Sunday cricket this season. Having 1st XI players of their quality playing alongside the best of our junior cricketers is the best possible combination. It gives the senior players a platform to perform without the pressure of league cricket, and play purely for the enjoyment, while the young players learn from and aspire to be like the senior pros. Ash, Junior, Frank and Josh May – I salute you. Sunday cricket is lucky to have you. Thank you.

Ash smashed 44 (no broken windows this time), and Junior carved a fine 60. Josh Braddock made 9 before Maggie Swalwell walked to the crease like a gladiator. She fully cemented her legendary debut with a fearless not out at the end – smiling throughout of course.

We finished about 13 runs short, so another great game of Sunday cricket meant we came second.

Full credit to those who played in the heat and committed to WGCC when we needed them. It was a struggle to get a side together, with 10, then 9, then 10, then 11, then 10, then 11 – all withing the preceding 24 hours. Thank you to those who stepped up (including Maggie and a literal last-minute James Braddock) who enjoyed himself far more than he admits. Sunday cricket is truly special, especially on The Green. It would be a crying shame to have to cancel fixtures due to lack of player commitment when we have a club of this size. The most picturesque of village cricket greens deserves to be graced with God’s game on a Sunday.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Chris Marshall – Captain

Many thanks to club photographer Chris Marshall for the great pics

Maggie Swalwell making her debut for the Sunday team

Nothing better than opening your account with a few runs for the team – Maggie Swalwell and Henry Bruce

Job done – Maggie Swalwell completing her second game of the day after playing for the ladies team in the morning – pictured with Buddy Edwardes and Henry Bruce

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Under 12 vs Roffey

Match Report by Captain James Jackson

So my first game as captain was away at Roffey.

It was a very hot day and wanted to bat first and luckily even though we lost the toss the opposition put us in to bat.

We started well and had 66-1 off the first 10 overs and ended up getting 139-4, Leo got 26 not out, I got 22, and Charlie got 21.

We then had a break and had Maryland cookies, custard creams and my favourite bourbons.

We then fielded and Leo opened bowling and took a wicket to get us going, everyone bowled and fielded well and Jack, Leo and Bobby all took good catches.  Reuben, Ethan and Ollie all took one wicket, Jack took 2 and Cai took 3 wickets in just over 1 overs. We won!

The opposition didn’t pick a man of the match but I chose Cai.

James Jackson
U12 Captain vs Roffey

Please click here for the full scorecard

Captain James Jackson leading from the front with a great performance

Fantastic victory by the Under 12’s

Under 11’s vs Rudgwick

Convincing victory by the boys against Rudgwick on a glorious Tuesday evening on the Green

Please click here for the scorecard

Smiles all round after a great victory ..

Under 10 vs Southwater

It was an honour to captain the team on Saturday and I really enjoyed it. The weather was hot so the boys did well to power through it all. We lost the toss and the Southwater captain decided to field first.

Tom and Jack did well in the first few overs, setting a good standard. Ted and Angus built on the scoreboard, before Charlie and Ed kept the runs flying in. Zac and I finished things off with a strong team total of 308 for 6, our biggest score yet. Fours came from: Tom(2), Angus(1), Ted(1), Charlie(1), Zac(2), Me(1).

At half time cake, fruit and lots of juice was given out as we got ready to field.

I opened the bowling for Wisborough Green and managed to get our first wicket when I switched mid-over to bowling around the wicket. The excellent bowling continued by Zac which led to Angus taking a catch. In Tom’s second over, he ran out one of the batters, and next ball I took a fantastic catch diving down to my left. One of Ted’s catches came from superb bowling by Angus and another of Ted’s wickets came from bowling himself.

Some fantastic bowling from Charlie gave the chance for me to take an easy run-out, Angus bowled once more and collected a wicket, before Tommy with his accurate bowling let Jack get a run-out too. A good shot from the batter off a great ball from Jack was fielded well, but Zac ran the batsman out with a stunning throw. Ted grabbed a further catch. I thought Tommy’s bowling was some of the best on the field even though he didn’t get a wicket this week.

The fielding was great but a big learning opportunity for all of us was to back up our throws, as the opening batters for Southwater were very strong. The team were very good at adjusting between right and left handed batters. Because we took so many wickets, we kept Southwater’s total really low, and their score was 254 for 11.

We came away with a well deserved win for the team which means we have 4 wins out of 4 games. Their captain chose me as man of the match but I thought everyone had a great chance at getting it too. I would like to say a very big thank you to Peter our coach and the parents for all of your support so far, we would never have done it without you!

Edward Vallely
U10s Captain vs Southwater

Big celebration after the game …

Can you help in any way ?

We have over 200 juniors enjoying playing cricket this year which is in itself a major undertaking. There is an increasingly smaller group of volunteers who put a lot of effort to keep the show on the road and we would welcome support from parents – particularly scorers , umpires , tea makers etc etc . If you are able to help in any way please do let us know. We could do with a lot more help – even if its on an occasional basis

How it started …how its going

Last week we reported how Josh May, our Australian overseas player is settling in well to Wisborough life – sampling the refreshments on offer, and using his Aussie charm on the locals.

This week we thought that we would continue to show how Josh’s integration into English life is progressing. One of the key aspects of that is learning to support the national team and with that comes having to deal with disappointments which includes recognising that its important to give the other team a chance occasionally – something the Australian cricket team still have to learn. The essence of playing sport is accepting that participation is more important than the result and having played for Wisborough on a few occasions Josh is starting to learn the lesson that winning is perhaps just a minor and sometimes unnecessary and irritating technical detail.

We do hope that your family and friends in Australia are monitoring your digital upgrade Josh, its a marathon – not a sprint. We’ll keep them posted on your progress …

Spotted on the Green

Maggie Swalwell vs Wolfie Finger – guess who is higher on the club’s MVP leaderboard …

Josh Dixon delighted with his new long sleeve 100% lambs wool Wisborough cricket jumper – just in time for the hottest week of his life.

And finally – spotted out and about …

(nothing to do with cricket usually – any excuse to have a little chuckle ..)

For those who are old enough to remember …

That should hopefully clear up any confusion ..

That’s it for this week.

If there is anything we need to know you know where to find us

Have a great cricketing week 🏏😊

Cheers

Wizzy