Issue 29

2020 has been one of the most destructive non-wartime years in Australian history. With the loss of life and property, perspective must be applied as we bemoan interruptions to our trivial game, although this is challenging for a 16 year old whose entire world is cricket. For Finlay 2020 was to start with the prestigious u16s Bradman Cup, which was being hosted in Albury on the NSW/Victoria border from January 6. Accommodation was booked, transport organised (it's 8 hours away) and training intensified. Unfortunately the devastating bushfires meant Albury was quickly becoming off limits. The good news was the tournament wasn’t cancelled, but was postponed to be played further north in April…. and Finlay was selected to play at the next level, for the Country Sixers in the Under 16 State Challenge in February. He started really well against the Metropolitan (Sydney) Thunder, going in at 9 for 2 (or as we say over here 2-9), and was just starting to build a big score, having reached 35 not out in 42 degree heat, when Australia’s next weather event, an extreme electrical storm of biblical proportions hit, resulting in localised flooding…. Oh well, the good news was the under 17 version of that tournament was scheduled for August and he could go back to club cricket, and the prospect of semi finals in March (as you will know, pretty much all Aussie sport consists of the initial league stages, followed by finals which decide who the actual winners are). And that’s when COVID-19 started to take hold globally, including Australia. For the first time in however long, there were no finals, and no league winners. Next to be cancelled was the already postponed Bradman Cup (April), under 17s State Challenge (September), and Combined High Schools competition, normally played in October. As Australia grappled with COVID, seemingly in a much more successful fashion than the UK, Europe and the USA, thoughts turned to the resumption of a new season in October, and for us that meant running the local Junior Academy of Cricket Excellence from August. This took a huge amount of preparation and additional organisation – attendees registering every day and continually disinfecting, no kit sharing, the challenge of enforcing social distancing from 9 and 10 year olds and teenagers and a couple of cancellations when COVID and wet weather combined as we couldn’t use indoor facilities. But we were able to get through it. Into the new season COVID brought additional requirements, no use of changing rooms or clubhouses so senior players were required to change in the open air and bring their own teas, umpires vigilantly applied the no sweat or saliva rules, balls were replaced when absent minded spectators picked them up after being hit for six and we got used to the village look of bowlers hats being left on the ground at the start of their run ups….but…cricket was back. And with zero cases for over a month now, there has been a gradual return to normality. Perhaps the most apt final exclamation mark has been seeing the Australian and Indian teams return to action recently with some crowds allowed to watch, but instead of the usual sponsors being a financial services, beer or gambling company, this year Australian cricket is being sponsored by our biggest provider of disinfectants and cleaning products with that catchy slogan…. Bat Bowl Dettol Rob Thornton reports on 2020 down under

Rob and Finlay (Carlton cap and all) batting together recently. And friends will wish to know that Rob’s younger offspring Leo is also making strides - below is a pic of him giving it some like his old man in his first representative appearance. The Newsletter also brings all readers best wishes from our namesake club Carlton in Melbourne who play at Princes Park (below). When the Newsletter contacted their Secretary recently, he reported the club was deep in preparation for the new season attempting to memorise the detailed COVID rules. Sound familiar? They were also remembering one of their own who died earlier this year - the great Dean Jones. THE SECRET GAME by JAKE PERRY The must have Christmas present for all Scottish cricket lovers. With copious references to Carlton’s important role in the development of the game in this country, it’s compulsory reading for all Grange Loan devotees.

Looking round the city itself, I'd guessed that the cricket pitches in Oxford would be picturesque, idyllic, and well kept. This guess was very quickly proven true after my first few games of college cricket. From the on-campus Worcester College pitch, to my home ground of the shared St Anne's/St John's pitch (I was at St Anne's), aka the Fortress, I've yet to find a ground isn't quintessentially Oxford. At this point, I should probably make the distinction between college cricket and university cricket. College cricket, in Carlton terms, comprises skill levels from 1s all the way down to 5s and often beyond. It is a high-enjoyment form of the game which makes cricket accessible to anyone of any sporting ability and the chance to have a few beers on the boundary of one of Oxford's idyllic college pitches is often too good a temptation for those looking for any escape from the exam term. To really get a sense of college cricket, I once taught a friend of mine how to bowl during a match... he recorded figures of 0.1 over, 1 wicket for 15 runs. Of course, college cricket does get competitive when it gets to cuppers, a knockout t20 tournament that has its final at the University Parks pitch (photo below). But the less said about St Anne's cuppers run, the better. Dreaming Spires Cricketing in Oxford with Dougal Main College pitches have the aesthetic and charm of a late-season Peffermill pitch in comparison to the University Parks ground, home to the Oxford University Cricket Club. I was once lucky enough to open the batting for the University 1's in a t20 at the University Parks (and yes I did call the captain to check if he'd made a mistake in the batting order). Although my contribution of 8 runs wasn't much to write home about (the photo captures me on the way back to the hutch), the opportunity to play on a first class wicket in beautiful surroundings certainly was. The only criticism I've heard of the Parks is that it's often hard bowling up the slight hill. They've clearly never tried playing at Grange Loan! What every well-masked cricketer is wearing this Christmas.

In October 2019 we were lucky enough to go on a holiday to India. We were extremely excited about going as we knew what a strong cricketing nation India is, and we were hoping to go to the Maidan Oval in Mumbai, or even to visit some Cricket stadiums. We first arrived in Delhi and unknown to us we had been invited to play in a 20 over cricket match on the Sunday evening. We were incredibly nervous as we made our way out to The Ball Park in Gurugram in the outskirts of New Delhi. We thought that maybe this would be a social and mixed ability side of adults and kids – for the opposition and home side…. We couldn’t have been more wrong! The four Foleys were somehow included in a very competitive and serious match akin to Carlton 2s v Grange! Isaac, Fergus, Hamish and dad Jon were generously gifted personalised(!) Palam Vihar CC T20 strips and told to “Be Ready!” The opposition of quite burly Indian men that made all of them look quite wee (apart from Jon). Palam Vihar batted first, Isaac coming into bat no 6 digging in for a few overs of fierce bowling before he edged to slip for a couple. He was rightly proud that he’d held his ground for a short while at least, against challenging pace and spin bowlers and all the mystifying chatter! As day turned to night, Jon was sent in to bat at 9 with instructions from the captain made clear – don’t get out, and keep the other guy on strike! As darkness fell the Indians seemed quite amused at this crazy Brit’s insistence of keeping his (prescription) sunglasses on throughout – even after the floodlights were turned on! Jon somehow saw the innings out (9 n.o., including a 4!) meaning sadly no bat for Ferg or Hamish – so they regrouped and went on to field. Isaac was thrown the ball around over 14 and both the hosts and visitors seemed to raise an eyebrow in quiet appreciation at his tight couple of overs. Ferg came into battle and he also held his own against some rather big and brutish batting opposition who did not hold back against the 11 year old. Hamish fielded valiantly at deep square leg saving a couple of boundaries to all round applause. Once the game was almost lost, Jon was then (somewhat amusingly to his sons on field) thrown the ball, and so, again wanting to do what he was told, trundled in with his left arm slow – and a couple of balls were swiftly returned from over the pavilion. Foley Senior’s mystery non-spin raising a few eyebrows and the chatter again. Fergus’ second over ended the game and the opposition winning batsman towered over him to heartily shake his hand. Smiles all round and an unbelievably enjoyable and special experience for all Foleys that will be remembered always. We were made to feel extremely welcome and at the end the boys presented the organisers and team captains, as well as the Umpire’s son (who Hamish and Agnes spent most of the first innings in the nets with), with a Carlton Cricket cap as a token of appreciation. Some little pieces of Carlton CC are hopefully still gracing Delhi cricket grounds today. Have Carlton Cap Will Travel Hamish, Fergus and Isaac Foley tell of an unexpected holiday treat

As you gear up for some on-line Christmas shopping here is a reminder that you can raise much needed funds for Carlton at the same time by using Easy Fundraising. All you have to do is click on this link and that will take you to Carlton's Easy Fundraising page to register. Then either use the website or mobile app every time you shop. It’s that easy. Easy Fundraising is linked to over 4,000 sites - ● If you are Christmas shopping from sites such as John Lewis, Amazon, M&S, ASOS, Boots, Waterstones, etc, you can raise funds Congratulations to Amelia and John Beattie who swept all before them to take the crown at the latest quiz. By popular request there will be a Christmas Quiz Friday 18 December 7.30pm Get your Santa hat on, pour a drink, have a mince pie and enjoy an evening quizzing. ● If you are doing weekly on-line shop all the supermarkets - Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons - are on Easy Fundraising ● ● If you order takeaway then Dominos, Just Eat and many other sites are linked to Easy Fundraising ● Even if you are renewing insurance or changing utility provider you can raise funds as many sites are registered ...... the list goes on! The donations to the club are a valuable source of income. Over the last five years, over £2,400 have been raised for the club and have helped to pay for equipment and coaching. So let’s get as many signed up as possible, especially as we head towards an on-line Christmas. The next issue of the Newsletter will be on Monday 11 January 2021 Selfies with the Stars Do you have a picture of yourself with a Test cricketer? Please send it to us - tell us when and where and what the chat from the star was. Newsletter@carltoncc.co.uk