Issue 16

It’s hard not to smile when people ask where I played club cricket in Scotland. There aren’t many better sights in cricket than Ali Evans steaming down the hill in the early summer evening at Grange Loan, sending the tail-ender’s middle stump cartwheeling past Boydy to close out the Grange innings. It’s a beautiful place, the rolling field, the famous hill, Arthur’s Seat and the clubhouse tucked in the corner. The hum of a 24 bus cruising past, a muffled appeal and Jaime Kerr’s trademark “bang bang”. The feeling of your spikes breaking apart the grass as you take guard, drawing your foot backwards to reveal a dry and dusty surface. If we could post at least 150 you just knew Cheeky was going to turn it square in the second innings. The Fraggleball warm-ups were always a hit, Omar’s outswingers were devastating and Drummo was always on hand to inject some common-sense into proceedings. Don’t know about you, but there always seemed to be an Aussie hanging around? Freshy claiming 7 for 8 against Stoneywood-Dyce in 2015 was certainly a highlight while I was there. We chased the total of 68 in 6.3 overs, the tea and cakes went down a treat after that match. Even in a small chase, out of the corner of your eye you could still see Hugh hopping and swaying, and Andy nervously pacing until the winning runs were hit. Of course, there was never anything to worry about, except who was going to grab the first round of Tennents. Putting the cricket to one side, what truly makes the club so special are the people. To all of you who I met, I will be forever grateful for your generosity and your friendship. It’s been great to see from afar the Carlton Juniors coming through the grades and playing leading roles in the 1st XI. Well done to Stevie, Pete and the coaching team for your dedication to the youngest Carlton cricketers - the club looks to be in great shape. Congratulations to the Women’s XI for your Scottish Cup victory in 2019, all the best as you look to go back to back when cricket resumes. To everyone at Carlton I hope you are staying healthy and enjoying the easing of restrictions! Hamish HAMISH GARDINER Former star batter at Grange Loan, Hamish is now in his second season as Director of Cricket at The University of Queensland Cricket Club.

What improvements in Carlton's performance were you looking for this year? We had a reasonably good season last year culminating in a Scottish Cup final which we unfortunately lost. There were some decent performances to build upon but I guess they are on hold for another year. Overall I was keen to see a few other players contribute some more substantial performances this season. We have a number of players who have played for a couple of seasons now who should be looking to step up to be the leaders in the team. Largely this will involve them understanding their game plans, developing the mental skills to succeed and executing their plans on a consistent basis. The players are all hard workers and diligent with their approach when preparing, but to achieve these skills there is a requirement to get a bit uncomfortable at training and being disciplined especially when doing the ‘boring’ stuff like the basics. This takes time, discipline and a desire to learn and accept failure as part of the process. If this is achieved then results will be reflected in terms of better conversion rates for batters, consistency of hitting line and lengths for bowlers, better decision making when under pressure and an energetic and effective fielding unit. However, I firmly believe that a club does not just revolve around the 1stXI. Successful clubs embrace all their club members and teams and this is what makes Carlton such a great club. It is a big undertaking running 5 senior teams, a full Women’s programme and Junior section. There aren’t many clubs in Scotland operating on that scale. For the club to continue to grow it is important for players at all levels to put in performances that put pressure on those playing above and also to make sure they are ready to take any chances that come their way. When you were learning the ropes as a coach what is the most important thing said to you? There are very few rights and wrongs in sport just consequences. Which players you have worked with have impressed you the most and why? Tough one because I have coached for a long time now and with lots of teams. It is always difficult to single out individual players and I have been lucky to work with loads of very good players at all levels. However two players stand out for me in my time with Scotland. Gordon Drummond - an excellent leader and was always underrated as a player. He loved to prove people wrong as a player and could never be accused of giving anything other than his very best every time he played for Scotland. Neil McCallum - unbelievable team man and a very funny man. A strong performer for Scotland, Watsonians and Grange over many years. Always gave 100% and was the heartbeat of the Scotland team. What is your best cricketing memory? Tough one as I have been involved in the game now full time for 30 years. Western Suburbs 1st Grade Premiership in 2016/17. The Australian season is long (September to end of March if you play finals) and tough. We worked hard throughout the season and suffered the usual highs and lows at various stages. We had a relatively young group of players that had progressed over the previous few seasons and were largely unfancied by others in the comp. This created a strong bond for the group and motivated us to prove others wrong. The Premiership is a two day competition with a four day final. The game against University went right down to the last session with Wests requiring to win on at least first innings to get the premiership. There is something about winning a final played over that length of time that I believe can’t be replicated by most other sports. The moment we took the final wicket will always be etched in my memory. I know many very good cricketers who play their entire careers and never get a premiership so it is something that has to be remembered when they come around. It took a lot of persuasion to get Carlton coach Pete Steindl to sit in the hot seat. But it was worth it.

Leanne started A Wee Pedal last year offering guided bike tours around Edinburgh. During lockdown she supported key workers providing free bike maintenance and lending out her bike fleet. Leanne joined Carlton 2 years ago - she describes how she came to find Carlton: ‘We had just arrived in Edinburgh after living in Hong Kong for 12 years and we were out for a family stroll to familiarize ourselves with the area. We heard that beautifully familiar ‘thwack’ of the cricket ball, poked our head through the gate, and couldn’t believe it. Not only a cricket ground but a cricket ground with Arthur’s Seat behind the boundary! ‘We joined up as a family membership there and then, had a glass of wine watching the 1st team, and I had my first women’s cricket nets the week after - borrowing pads and having no idea what I was doing. I was hooked! ‘Everyone is so welcoming and I love playing for the women’s team. The team spirit is quite unique - Scottish Internationalists, upcoming youth players and us ‘oldies’. There are a few of us mums who are hooked - we call ourselves ‘the old bats’ . 'Playing and learning alongside the younger Scottish players, who are always so patient and encouraging, has been the most wonderful and unexpected find for me! I have always played team sports but never cricket before Carlton. My English husband was the cricketer who worried that there wouldn’t be much cricket in Scotland... we laugh at how the tables have turned! Friday nights, I’m off on my bike, cricket bag on my back, ready for another fast bowl bruise on my thigh! Carlton has not only been a fantastic family ‘find’ but has brought me a whole new set of friends. ‘Carlton CC is a true family club and the best sporting find I’ve ever made!’ A WEE PEDAL WITH LEANNE Congratulations to Carlton member Leanne Farmer, founder of A Wee Pedal which recently won the New Kid on the Block award for the best new start-up at The Small Awards 2020. The Small Awards are run by Small Business Britain. Leanne (right) with Sarah Beith at last season’s Cup Final

Rain Didn’t Stop Play Carlton’s Second Beer Garden was a bit damper than the first. But Scottish cricketers are inured to the wet. Having consulted the ESCA rain calculator and the DLS, the umpires (K Simpson & K D’Ulisse) decided that conditions were playable and a result was possible. And in good lower league tradition, once you’ve started… Carlton’s Non-Cricketing Members Carlton isn’t just a club for cricketers. Indeed many of our members have few or no cricketing aspirations. Some members simply stroll around our private 4 ½ acres, sun themselves on the benches, read a book or the day’s papers, chat with fellow members – these days, from a suitable social distance of course. Others can be seen briskly walking or even running around the outfield for more strenuous daily exercise. But another 96 members (at the current count) use the ground to exercise their 107 dogs. Our roving pack of guard-dogs sniff out anything untoward happening on the ground throughout the day. Woe betide anyone that challenges “Basil the Terrible”, one of our local Terrier members. Income from our diverse membership has been more important than usual in 2020. But more than that, our canine membership also ensures a regular, friendly presence on the ground throughout the year and throughout the day, keeping Grange Loan policed by some of Carlton’s most devoted and loveable four-footed characters. Keep off the square!