Issue 46

How did you get started in scoring? Cricket was always something I watched on TV when I was young. Both my parents were interested, which must have had some influence. My burgeoning career as a left arm seamer, at school and Dunfermline CC Colts, came to a shuddering halt. Instead of the ball landing in approximately the right sort of place, it flew over everyone’s head or bounced half a dozen times and ground to a sorry halt. I learned the rudiments of traditional scoring by trying to follow the TV or radio coverage. I seem to have always had a flair for numbers, so it seemed to click. I learned the arcane mysteries of linear scoring using an article by Bill Frindall in a cricket annual from the mid-1970s. I got into club scoring by happenstance. Just as I was about to leave school in the summer of 1982, the Dunfermline High School 1st XI had a Sunday friendly against a Dunfermline CC XI at McKane Park. The previous scorers at McKane had given up, so there was a vacancy. The club president of the time, a man named Sam McVicker, was one of life’s delegators, and the invitation to come and keep the score was duly made in the clubhouse after the game. I was given the book, and used but one pen. Contrast that with the paraphernalia that now surrounds me at a home game. Someone bought me an orange juice after the game – that aspect is now a little bit different too. I came to Carlton in 2015. It was a difficult decision to leave Dunfermline after more than 30 years, but it was the right thing to do. It was a proud moment to be made an Honorary Life Member of Dunfermline CC not long before the switch, carrying forward, I believe, to the new merged club (Dunfermline and Carnegie). What was your first Scotland fixture? My first “cap” was in July 1998, a three day match at Linlithgow against Bangladesh. Fraser Watts was playing (his first cap). Since then, I have scored a fair number of games against the English counties. Some of that was done using the live computer scoring of the time, so it is far from new. I have also managed to score ODIs against most of the test playing countries, and other Associates with ODI status. My first First Class game was a rain affected Intercontinental Cup game against Ireland at Stormont. This was the only game I scored in Ireland. Favourite players and favourite grounds? Nominating a favourite player is a bit like nominating your favourite piece of music. The answer probably changes as you go along. There have been so many great players in a 40-year span. If I had to pick one, then it might be Alistair Gray (above), professional at McKane in 2009 and 2010. He was the sort of batter who was 40 not out before you thought about it, and then, once set, just took the attack apart. /over

Cont’d/ As for grounds, Grange Loan is without doubt a beautiful setting to play cricket. The terrain has its quirks, and in that regard, Scroggie Park in Falkland must get a mention. One of my all-time favourites is The Arns, home of Clackmannan County. That might be in part because that I always seemed to get a friendly welcome there, which is very important. Away from the scorebook? “Off season”, I can be found on a Saturday (and sometimes Sunday and sometimes midweek...) at one of the non-league football grounds. These clubs are run by volunteers, and in many ways, are very similar to cricket clubs. I have been to the vast majority of such grounds in the east and the west. Together with like-minded enthusiasts, I am making a decent stab at the north as well. For many years I was a very ordinary hockey umpire. How did I get into that? Firstly, I was hopeless as a player, and, secondly, Sam the delegator pounced for a second time in 1982. What are the best Carlton and Scotland matches you have scored? That is an easy one. It is hard to believe being one of the official scorers when Scotland beat England can be surpassed. I met some of my pals after the game, and one of them regarded it as one of those days you never wanted to end. For Carlton, the league win was great and the win in the grand final was special too. However, it has to be the 2017 cup final win for me. I have always liked the Scottish Cup, and having had two previous disappointments with Dunfermline in 2009 and 2011, it meant a lot to win that one. I know it meant a huge amount to many people at the club too. Pictured opposite are Ken’s scoresheets from the Carlton innings in the 2017 Cup Final - works of art.

Ken was the guy I met after Scotland v Yorkshire I think 2007 who got me back into scoring. I used to score in England. Top man and a good friend. C Clark Ken Nisbet has been a "prince among scorers". It has been my pleasure to work with him both in my Umpiring career and as a fellow Scorer. He is knowledgeable, intelligent, an absolute wizard with figures (as befits the eminent mathematician that he is) and more than that, he is very helpful and charitable with lesser mortals like myself. I am not the only Scorer who struggles with new methods, and I would have made a real mess of a game recently if he had not been around. Dunfermline, Carlton and Scotland have all been privileged to have him as their Scorer. D Potter Ken has been a friend and scoring colleague for many years. On the scoring front, his work has always been neat & very accurate. This ability led him to be heavily involved in Scottish representative cricket. Initially this was as scorer for the Scotland Under 19 XI, where he became very friendly with Mike Hendrick, and latterly as scorer in a host of other representative games. Perhaps even more importantly, he has been the key organiser of scorers for Scottish & District representative sides over the last few years, a very important, but thankless, task. On a personal front, Ken has been a great friend and drinking mate. I worked for over 11 years in Glasgow, and during that time we would meet occasionally of an evening to discuss cricket scoring issues over a few pints of real ale. Happily, one of Glasgow's finest real ale bars was situated midway between our two flats. I often reflected on the fact no-one else in the pub would have a clue what we were talking about. N Leitch Having scored alongside Ken for many years, I’m proud to have him as a personal friend and scoring colleague. In my opinion Ken is the best scorer in Scotland - although as self-deprecating as he is, Ken wouldn’t agree. I’m sure that our most memorable occasion as scoring colleagues would be the victory for Scotland against England at The Grange on 10 June 2018 - an unbelievable game of cricket and arguably Scotland’s greatest ever victory. Ken and I also spend many winder weekend’s attending football at various lesser-known non-league venues - ‘proper fitba’ as Ken refers to it! Looking forward to our next forty years of scoring together and congratulations Ken on your personal milestone. G Burns I’ve known Ken for most of these 40 years and always enjoyed scoring with him, his relaxed manner but always accurate. I Iatta My earliest memory of Ken is him coming to support my scoring development at an uncovered, windy and cold Lewisvale park in Musselburgh. I’m sure it was a shock to his system, but his professionalism shone through and his advice over a pint afterwards were crucial to my development as a scorer. M Clark I would like to heartily congratulate Ken on 40 years' scoring service. In that time, I have known him for at least 15 years and have always looked up to him as a friend and colleague, not least as the Appointments Officer at Cricket Scotland. One of my favourite memories was when I was about to do a match with a Regional Series game at Bothwell Castle Policies. The match was not played, but I do recall that we both received old logo Cricket Scotland rain jackets, and that we both became rather unlikely models for the photographers! I also recall him briefly appearing on Sky Sports coverage of a Scotland international. G Wicksted SOME FELLOW SCORERS TALK ABOUT KEN Ken and Charlie - Heriots v Carlton July 2021 - shorts an unusual attire

Carlton v Heriot’s (aka the Nails) A series looking at the history of Carlton’s City rivalries. Heriot’s began life as Heritonians in 1890, playing at the then school playing field of Logie Green (now the site of Tesco’s at Canonmills), before moving to Goldenacre in 1902 when the distinctive redbrick pavilion was also built. The first match between Heriot’s and Carlton took place in 1894 which resulted in a resounding home win for Carlton - their 136-7 proving too much of a challenge for their new opponents who were all out for 54. The news reporter (below) noted that ‘the Heritonian bowling was by no means brilliant.’ Carlton played Heriot’s at Grange Loan on 5 June in a Scottish Cup tie and again on 11 June at Goldenacre in the league. By a strange twist of fate, this is the second season in a row that Cup and League encounters have been so closely scheduled. Sadly for Carlton they have been on the losing end in each of these matches. Fixtures between the clubs were intermittent until the institution of league cricket in the 1950s. Carlton dominated the rivalry through the early years of the 20th Century and inflicted some heavy defeats - in 1922 they scored 235 before bowling Heriot’s out for 68. Carlton’s top scorer on that day was R E Batson with 58. Batson evidently liked the Heriots’ bowling as in the following season he scored 138* in Carlton’s 226-1, although Heriot’s held out for a draw. Heriot’s first win against Carlton was therefore not until 1946, when Carlton were unable to chase 108 at Goldenacre. They then won the next two matches - despite Tom Crosskey, Carlton’s professional turned amateur, taking 6 wickets in all 3 fixtures. As league cricket was established, the sides became more evenly balanced and more recent results are in Heriot’s favour. Up to the end of the 2021 season, the clubs have played 119 completed matches, Carlton winning 42, losing 46, with 31 draws.

Carlton v Heriot’s Record Breakers Bryn Lockie (see elsewhere in this issue) is Carlton’s leading run scorer against Heriot’s with 643, including a top score of 123 at GL in 2003. R E Batson’s 138 in 1923 remains the highest Carlton innings just shading Cedric English - seen below leaving the field at GL in 2014 unbeaten on 135. Alun Davies played 29 matches against Heriot’s - and bowled 87 maidens against them. But the leading wicket taker is George Innes with 57, taking 5 wickets on 4 occasions. Best bowling is by John Hiley (below) who took 7-10 at GL in May 1979, a match Carlton managed to lose notwithstanding this performance. R E Batson The holder of Carlton’s highest total against Heriot’s was the club’s best bat in 1922 and 1923. In the words of NL Stevenson, ‘Batson’s innings invariably had the stamp of ‘class’ upon them, and, in my shole time at Grange Loan, I have never seen his batting surpassed for graceful ease and polish.’ Batson came from Barbados to Edinburgh University to study medicine shortly before the First World War. Interrupting his studies, he served in the Royal Navy as a surgeon probationer. When his ship was torpedoed he was rescued after several hazardous hours in the water. This experience affected his health and he was invalided out of the Service. Following his time in Edinburgh, he went into general practice in London and remained there for 47 years. He is reported to have been a tower of strength at Hornsey Cricket Club for over 20 years. Batson played 6 times for Scotland, including twice against the Australians in 1921. He died in 1971.

Carlton v Heriots - Players Among the players who have played at both Grange Loan and Goldenacre are Sean Weeraratna (below), a Carlton junior before moving to Goldenacre to make over 200 appearances and win 18 Scotland caps. Preston Mommsen played at Heriot’s in 2007, before moving to Corstorphine and then Carlton. Hugo Southwell was on Heriot’s books in 2004-5 but wisely chose to come to Grange Loan when he resumed his cricketing career. Current Carlton coach Dewald Nel was also at Goldenacre in 2004-5. Hamish More (Heriots, MCC and Scotland) - a stern opponent No one embodied Heriot's cricket more than Hamish More. In a career spanning 1958 to 1994, he played 581 matches for Heriot’s scoring over 17,000 runs and taking nearly 600 catches and stumpings. He played 54 times for Scotland between 1966 and 1980. In his many encounters with Carlton, he scored 2 centuries - 118* at Goldenacre in 1976 and 116* the following year at Grange Loan. At Grange Loan in 1975 he scored 45* out of 78-3 off 49 overs as Heriot’s spurned chasing Carlton’s 210 and settled early for a draw - a resolute competitor. Hamish was renowned for his competitive chat to opposing batsmen from behind the stumps. Andy McPherson recalls, ‘I remember batting against Heriot’s once with Hamish standing up to the wicket and there being a bit of chat between us. I then nicked one behind which he dropped and for some reason I said "Oh well taken Hamish!" No words from him, but I got a horrendous look, so I picked the ball up and offered it to him which he refused to take! ‘ Hamish More died on 2 January 2022 at the age of 81. In the 1980s Jake Stevenson played regularly for the First XI, having previously been with Heriot’s. Russell Weir (rt) spent two years at Goldenacre before coming back to Grange Loan in 1989, becoming Carlton President in 2006.

Carlton v Heriots Matches to Remember Among the many memorable matches between Carlton and Heirots, few live stronger in the memory than last season’s Masterton semi-final. Winning the toss and batting first Carlton put 132-7 on the board, with Hugo Southwell getting to 50 before being dismissed in the final over. Home fans worried that the total seemed a little under par as a solid start by Pillai and Simpson wasn’t taken full advantage of. A couple of quick wickets put Carlton in the driving seat at 6-2. But home anxieties began again as Van Der Berg and Brown made batting look easy and progressed to 99 without further loss. The home straight beckoned; but come the hour, come the man - skipper Evans turned the match in one over, taking 3 wickets including the priceless one of Van Der Berg for 55. Evans then had Brown (47) in the next over - 113-6 - still a strong position. The tension was palpable as Heriots entered the final over with 2 wickets in hand and 5 to get. Umair Mohammed was given the responsibility: dot, wicket, 1 run, dot, wicket!!! Carlton win by 3 runs. The cheer was heard at the top of Arthur’s Seat. The Masterton provided another thrilling encounter in 1988, gilding Carlton’s 125th anniversary celebrations that year. A drizzly evening at Portgower Place saw Carlton chasing Heriots’ 111-7 in the then 25 over format. George Innes had bowled 7 overs for a miserly 17 runs. Andy McPherson took 3 wickets and a run out making an incisive contribution and stimulating the headline opposite from the Evening News’ sub-editor. Carlton made it with 2 overs to spare losing 4 wickets in the process, David Ponniah top scoring with 42*. Carlton v Heriots Highs and Lows Carlton’s highest total against Heriots is 309-4, made at Grange Loan in July 2015, powered by a partnership of 194 between Rory McCann ( 112*) and Hamish Gardiner 110. Tom Freshwater (3-16 ) and Omar Ahmad (4-17) then skittled the visitors for 79. Heriot’s highest total was 275-7 in a 2000 Scottish Cup tie at Grange Loan. Carlton fell well short in reply making 226-8 . At the other extreme Carlton could only muster 50 all out at Grange Loan in 1969. Early fixtures had seen a number of low scores by Heriots, but their 63 all out in 1952 remains the more recent nadir.

MARK WATT v Carlton The tale is often told by Carlton 4th team veterans of the day they first became aware of the prodigious talent of current Scotland star George Munsey. In May 2010 he appeared at the Meadows for Musselburgh 3rd XI against Carlton’s 4th XI. Eight overs for 12 runs, 1 stumping and 110 not out It is the stuff of legend (or nightmares). In the same year another present Scotland star had his first sighting by Carlton’s lower league players, when Mark Watt, then 14, turned out for Leith FAB 2nd XI against Carlton 3 at Leith Links. The match report notes his contribution: …… Neil (Browning) came and gradually got the measure of the bowling. A 50 partnership looked good for more when he pushed young Mark Watt back, also to be caught and bowled. 72 for 2 after 18 and things were pretty evenly matched. However Fraser went quickly, bowled round his legs by Watt - a most unusual bowler in that the Chinaman from round the wicket is his stock ball. Mark played at Leith alongside his Dad John, a long standing thorn in the side of many a Carlton side visiting the Links. Jake Perry’s article tells more about how Mark moved through the ranks to international status. Mark joined Heriots in 2012 and prior to this season has played against Carlton 14 times in all formats, scoring 178 runs (HS 59 at Goldenacre in 2021) and taking 21 wickets (BB 5-30 at GL in 2013).

THE START OF SOMETHING BIG It is 10 years since Carlton Women’s XI played their ever first match. On 10 June 2012 they took on Stirling County Women at Peffermill. A very strong Stirling side containing a number of then internationals amassed 173-2 from their 25 overs, with Rachel Scholes retiring on 51 and contributions from Fiona Urquhart, and Lorna Jack. Rebecca Oliver and Lily Cartwright were Carlton's wicket-takers. In reply Carlton fought to 80-5, with Louie Gardiner top scoring with 27*. In the side that day were Amelia Beattie, Sarah Beith, both making their first ever appearance on any cricket field, and Hannah Rainey, all of whom also featured in last season’s double winning squad. Although Louie Gardiner played another 10 matches for Carlton, she never bettered her innings that day. Amelia currently holds the record number appearances for Carlton. Two months later, bolstered by the presence of skipper Helen Blair and internationalist Olly Rae, the women made their debut at Grange Loan. Despite Olly scoring 41, they fell short of Watsonian Women’s 138-6, ending their 25 overs on 105-5. The Watsons’ line up included both 14 year old Kathryn and 12 year old Sarah Bryce - Kathryn scored 54 before offering a catch off the bowling of Lily Cartwright. Members of Carlton Women’s XI on their first appearance at Grange Loan, August 2012. Amelia graces the outfield for the very first time. And the story continues - almost 10 years to the day saw the first appearance of the Carlton Women 2nd XI, seen below prior to their victorious debut v StewMel on 5 June 2022.

MAY FLOWERS - EARLY SEASON FORM Arun Pillai 110* v Penicuik Charis Scott 102(rt) v Grange Abbi Aitken-Drummond 101(rt) v Grange Rory McCann 97 v Penicuik Keith Murray 88 v StewMel 4 Ali Shah 75* v Falkland Ben Thurman 73 v Edin Accies 2 Paul Kentish 71 v Dunfermline & Carnegie Arun Pillai 6- 14 v Edin Accies Shiv Gupta 6-22 v Grange 2 Harry Simpson 5-3 v Gala Angus Turner 5-4 v Wat’ns 4; 5-6 v EdinS3 Maisie Maceira 5-13 (incl hatrick) v Grange Hamish Turner 5-14 v StewMel 4 Shujaa Khan 5-23 v Watsonians

I started my cricket, like a lot of youngsters I expect, being dragged to the park by my older brother Brent, also a long time Carlton player. His enthusiasm for the game rubbed off and throughout my playing career he was a person I could go to when going through any loss of form. He had the ability to identify any detrimental changes in my technique that may have crept in unwittingly. When it comes to technique, my advice to any player is: you will be bombarded with a lot of useful and sometimes not so useful information, try to stick to keeping it simple and listen to those you trust and who can add value. My early years of cricket were developed at my school and Clackmannan County Cricket Club. I was lucky enough to experience a good level of coaching at both and play for a Club very similar to Carlton in that they wanted to develop their young players, giving numerous opportunities in the adult teams for that to happen. My debut for Clacks was against Aberdeenshire when I was 15 and they let me bat at 3, a great day which I still remember fondly. When work brought me to Edinburgh my brother suggested I join Carlton as it was a community spirited club very much like Clackmannanshire. It was great decision and during those years, I got to play with many quality players and more importantly meet some tremendous people. My memories often wander to the great teas, great wickets to bat on and the great social nights. What more do you need? A few good years with the club saw me gain selection to the National side. For any players with aspirations of gaining higher honours I would say the biggest area to develop in your game is the mental side. I never had any issues playing against English County sides or international teams, but I did doubt myself when playing against the major cricketing nations. This is definitely an area that is looked at in more depth now and you can see that in some of the fantastic performances by our current National side. I was asked who were the best opponents to play against. I thought about this and there are way too many to mention. What I will say is I looked at it in two ways. Firstly, what challenge did they present. Teams with a quality professional bowler, preferably fast, and any National or canny Club bowlers were the teams I enjoyed playing against most. Runs against them meant that little bit more. Secondly any team that were happy to come into the bar after the match and have a drink and a chat. That is where you meet some great characters and learn so much about the game. Finally, I wish everybody involved in the club a great season. All the best Bryn BRYN LOCKIE Some reflections from Carlton’s all time leading run scorer

Fraser Watts pays tribute to his special partner: ‘Bryn was a hero/mentor of mine growing up. I was coming through the ranks at Carlton when Bryn was playing in the first team and for Scotland as an opening batsman and I always looked up to him. What I loved most about him was his ability to take on the quick bowlers and cut and pull and generally be comfortable off the back foot against some of the quickest. I don’t know why but it resonated with me - that and the fact he was alway smiling or giggling about something - one of the nice guys! Over the years we became close friends and I was lucky enough to open the batting with him at Carlton when I got to that level. A top batsman, an even better bloke and a great friend.’ Bryn Lockie and Carlton’s Director of Cricket Fraser Watts batted together 57 times, scoring 2127 runs at an average of 39.08. Their highest partnership was an undefeated 188 (Watts 97, Lockie 81) in a 2005 Masterton tie at GL against Penicuik. They shared 2 other century partnerships including 101 for the first wicket in a win against Heriots at Goldenacre in July 1999. B G Lockie: the stats In a career spanning 1993-2010, Bryn made 338 appearances for Carlton, spending more than 221 hours at the crease and facing 11,349 balls. He scored 9,797 runs at an average of 36.97. He scored 11 centuries, with a highest score of 130, and 68 fifties. He hit 26 sixes, 846 fours and took 99 catches. Bryn’s best season was 2003 when he scored 661 runs averaging 60.09 with 2 centuries. Bryn was skipper in 2000 and was best batter 4 times - in 1996, 2000, 2002, and 2003. He took part in 29 century partnerships, 9 of which were with and Cedric English. Bryn played 60 cap and non-cap matches for Scotland. MORE ON BRYN Bryn and Fraggle together in the 2008 National Murgatroyd T20 winning side (final played in 2009)

HOME COOKING Carlton’s gourmets were given a treat last month with a selection of excellent curries prepared by Swati Khadse. Here is her recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala. Chicken tikka masala Ingredients Marinade Chicken breast 500gm Oil 2 tbsp Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp Ginger garlic paste 2 tbsp Lemon juice 1 tsp Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp Yoghurt 1/4 cup Few of Indian spices Sauce Oil 1 tbsp Butter 2 tbsp Ginger garlic paste Cumin seeds 2 tsp Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp Onion 2 Tomato puree 400 gm Garam masala 1 tsp Few of Indian spices Honey 1 tbsp Double cream 2 tbsp Salt as per taste Method: Step 1 Cut the chicken into small cubes, mix all the ingredients and marinate for at least 1 hour. Step 2 Cook the tikka in a pan or in the oven. Step 3 In a pan heat oil and butter, add cumin seeds, onion and fry until light brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and all the spices. Step 4 Add tomatoes and simmer till thickened. Add chicken, honey and double cream. Add salt as per taste. Step 5 Garnish with coriander and enjoy with rice. Swati says that this version of Chicken Tikka Masala is actually North Indian dish; Aloo Mutter, the pea and potato curry she also provided, is a local dish to Pune. Swati and Rahul met in Pune and got married in 2006. Both her sons, Aadi and Aaradhy keen Carlton junior cricketers, were born in India. The family moved to Edinburgh in 2018 when Rahul got an opportunity to work here Swati says that she learnt cooking basics from her mother but as she grew up she started to experiment and explore more. Her sons loved Chicken Tikka Masala and wanted her to make it. She started to read up about it and prepared her own recipe. Other dishes that Aadi and Aaradhy love include Paav Bhaji, an Indian Veg Street Food, Chicken Lasagna and Indian Curries Swati and Rahul think Carlton has a very inclusive culture and their boys felt at felt home immediately. Both are passionate about playing cricket and Carlton provided the perfect platform for them to learn fundamentals and techniques of the game as well as making a strong circle of friends.

David Hart was the 1st XI scorer between 1985 and 1990 until illness forced him to give up. Very sadly he passed away still young and his bench is put out near the gate on his request as that is where he used to sit on his frequent visits to the ground. The dates on this bench might lead you to think that it is in memory of a tragically short-lived youngster. But Kerry was the much loved terrier belonging to David Cullen, a long term club member who served on the Carlton Council for a short time. Martin Flynn was Secretary of Carlton for 13 years. He was also involved in many other aspects of cricket in the East of Scotland, being a founder member of the Umpires Association, and Scottish Universities cricket. He had a long association with Holy Cross CC and following his death in 2013, the Martin Flynn Trophy was instituted and competed for at first between Carlton and Holy Cross. More recently the handsome trophy has been awarded to the winners of Carlton's annual 6-a-side competition. The inscription on the bench reflects Martin’s day time occupation as a Maths lecturer at Napier. REST AND BE THANKFUL Some of the stories behind the Grange Loan Benches More benches next month