Issue 63

1st XI Batting DAN DA COSTA 1st XI Bowling ARUN PILLAI 1st XI Fielding RORY ALLARDICE Women’s 1st XI Batting SAM HAGGO Women’s 1st XI Bowling MAISIE MACEIRA Women’s 1st XI Fielding FLORA CORBIN 2nd XI Batting CHARLIE KENTISH 2nd XI Bowling ARMAAN BEDI 2nd XI Fielding BEN STRONACH Women’s 2nd XI Batting HOLLY SLADEN Women’s 2nd XI Bowling SONIA AMIN Women’s 2nd XI Fielding LIBBY WALLACE 3rd XI Batting PAUL KENTISH 3rd XI Bowling BRAD MCKAY 3rd XI Fielding SHAUN SMITH 4th XI Batting CHRIS SALE 4th XI Bowling SHREYAS TEKALE 4th XI Fielding DAN MOWAT 5th XI Batting TOM HATHORN 5th XI Bowling RAHUL KHADSE 5th XI Fielding AADI KHADSE Wicket Keeping Trophy DAN DA COSTA Club Fielder of the Year RORY ALLARDICE Six Hitting Trophy DAN DA COSTA Best Individual Performance SHUJAA KHAN Best Introduction to Senior Cricket TOM HATHORN Young Player of the Year MAISIE MACEIRA Player’s Player of the Year DAN DA COSTA Women Player’s Player of the Year SARAH BEITH Jappy Trophy DAVID SIMPSON TROPHY WINNERS 2023

PLAYERS’ PLAYERS OF THE YEAR SARAH BEITH DAN DA COSTA JAPPY TROPHY 2023 DAVID SIMPSON

A Christmas Card from Oz Angus Beattie writes home After finishing my Masters degree in September, I escaped the Scottish winter to play cricket in Western Australia. I’m playing for Halls Head Cricket Club in Mandurah – about an hour south of Perth – in the Peel Cricket Association. We are currently second in the league after 10 rounds (of 18). While obviously we are aiming for first place, the team at the top of the league at the end of the regular season does not win the “Flag” (equivalent of winning the league in the UK). Instead, the top four teams qualify for Finals, which is a knockout semi-final/final to decide the season’s winner. The standard of A Grade is roughly equivalent to 1s back home, with slightly less depth in most teams. One major difference is that par score in the league is 150-175, compared to 200-250 in Scotland. I would say this is down to larger boundaries and slower outfields, with many pitches being used for AFL (“footie”) in the off-season, as well as pitches being slow and dry. Nonetheless, there are still many very skilled players in the league. We have Jack Manuel, who played England U19s with Joe Root and Ben Stokes, while other teams overseas include an ex-county player and a current Jersey international. Another adjustment has been the heat, with a couple matches so far played in 35-40°C temperatures with the hottest weather to come in January/February. My personal highlight so far was taking 8-11 in my third match, something I think is unlikely to ever happen again! There is also a T20 competition played under floodlights, where each team has “Marquee” players from Perth Premier Cricket. Additionally, I have played for the Peel District Team against other WA regions. Halls Head is similar to Carlton in many ways, with five men’s teams, a women’s team and a big junior section. There is a very community feel to the club, with most people coming back to the club on a Saturday and genuine interest in how every team has done, as well as a barbeque after training every Thursday. Off the field, I have been running senior training sessions as well as coaching some of the junior teams. I have also been working part-time in a traditional Aussie pub, which has been an interesting experience to say the least. In the area there are lots of pristine beaches, which rival Scotland’s for views and emptiness but with the bonus of not being freezing most of the time. I am really enjoying my time out here so far with plenty more fun to be had, although I am missing home a bit – something about Christmas in the sun just isn’t right. Angus currently tops the Peel Cricket Association bowling averages with 27 wickets at 6.96.

A Christmas Card from SA Hallo to all the beautiful people of Carlton Cricket Club and to my beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland! I would like to wish each and everyone a happy and blessed Christmas and a prosperous journey for the New Year. And thank you to all the great people there for such wonderful memories. I just will never forget being a Scottish champion with each and everyone of you. It was a dream come true. You all will stay with me and the time we spent together and it is great to see the youngsters taking the club from strength to strength. May you all be blessed in this holiday time. Kind regards, Mario Olivier The big hearted Saffie arrived in 2016 and made an immediate impact taking 5-21 to skittle Grange in his second outing. In his second last match he scored 105* to secure the Easter Premiership for Carlton. The following week the team triumphed in the Championship overcoming Clydesdale with Mario’s direct hit run out securing the final wicket. In 18 matches for Carlton, he hit 294 runs at 29.4 and took 24 wkts @18.25. Mario made a big impact on and off the field with everyone at Carlton. Stevie Gilmour, Russell Weir and Max D’Ulisse share their recollections of Mario at Carlton. I have very fond memories of season 2016 with Mario as our overseas pro. He brought great energy and experience to the 1st XI group and also to the wider club, especially the juniors. Mario was a captain’s dream bringing great control and forming a formidable partnership with Ally Evans. With Evo being at the top of his game that season I would go as far to say that was one of the best new ball partnerships there has ever been in Scottish club cricket. Mario made his mark early blowing away the Grange batting line up to 70 odd all out and who can forget his blistering century v Stoneywood coming in at number 7! Stevie Gilmour - skipper in 2016 Did Carlton ever have a pro to rival Mario Olivier?

Over my lengthy association with Carlton, I find it difficult to recall an individual who impacted the club on a playing and a social level more than Mario Olivier. He came to the club pre-season 2016 in a wave of optimism and enthusiasm. We struck up an immediate bond and friendship which persists today thanks to social media. His optimism was justified and with his opening bowling partnership with Alasdair Evans, which I believe to be the most formidable that I’ve seen from Carlton, went a long way to achieving the impressive trophy haul that season. Mario was also involved on ground duty. Although he was always there to help, it soon became noticeable that his mission was to get himself onto the heavy roller for hours on end and leave the bulk of the groundwork to Alasdair McLeod and me. We didn’t mind. Mario is, without question, one of the greatest characters to have graced Grange Loan in the last 50 years and I am pleased to have known him and even more pleased to call him a friend. Russell Weir Photos Left - Russell congratulates Mario on his century v Stoneywood Dyce. Below - Mario at Junior Awards Night giving Rudi and Max their trophies. Max recalls Mario’s impact on Carlton’s junior cricketers on the following page.

Mario and I had some quality laughs together and he was a very good coach who clearly knew what he was doing. Despite his out-if-you’re-out rules in the nets or his continuous hill sprints, we had some good memories as well. One sticks out. Back in 2016 I was stuck for cricket bats and Mario comes along and asks if he can help, so of course I said, ‘Yes please’. He took me to the gloom of the garages behind the clubhouse where Alasdair and Russell never let anyone go. He then grabbed an old bat and refurbed it perfectly like it was the Gray Nicolls factory. He shaped it into this lovely sounding bat, added grips and I ordered some New Balance stickers so I could pretend I was Joe Root. I used it for my first u12 Friday night game and nearly hit my first ball for six. If only I had, the rest would’ve been history. I cherished that bat. It was the first proper bat that I had ever had and even cooler - it had been upgraded by Mario. Hope to see you sometime soon Mario. Max D'Ulisse Max slipped into the dressing room following the championship win, but he didn’t make the team photo below.

Carlton social gatherings these days are modest, informal occasions. But at one time things were different. The Carlton Cricket Club Dance of 1899 attracted the attention of the weekly magazine The Gentlewoman whose correspondent eloquently described the gowns worn by a number of the ladies attending. Mrs MacBeth, probably the spouse of A (Sandy) Macbeth, a leading player of the day, is introduced as the Patroness of the event and was resplendent in a ‘black brocaded gown with jewelled revers and creamy lace’. Two Misses Macbeth were present, both also in black gowns. Sandy MacBeth had been skipper between 1891 and 1894 and would win the best bat in 1889, having previously won it in 1882. The Gentlewoman reported another event the the following year, ‘The attendance was large and delightful music was supplied by Messrs Daubmann’s band’ (It is reported elsewhere that this band was ‘recognised as one of he best in the country’) Mrs MacBeth’s 1900 outfit was ‘black brocade with a bodice of silver grey brocade.’ A number of gentlemen, including the 25 year-old N L Stevenson are mentioned as stewards. Their dress is not described. But there are no further reports in subsequent years, whether because there were no more dances or because the ladies’ dresses were no longer of sufficient interest is not known.

Notwithstanding the lack of interest by The Gentlewoman, Carlton members did not hang up their dancing shoes. Dances and dinner dances continued to be part of the club’s social calendar before falling away as the 1970s closed, presumably through lack of interest. But a fresh round of terpsichoral enthusiasm surged through the club in the early part of this century and for a few years an annual ceilidh proved a popular attraction. The last ceilidh was held in 2011 at the Edinburgh Academy Junior School. Music was overseen by the much missed Alison Main. The Balmoral Hotel in 1899 was not the current establishment which bears the name. It was in Princes Street between Hanover Street and Frederick Street. At the time it was Edinburgh’s plushest hotel. The present Balmoral opened as the North British Hotel in 1902 and the Caledonian in 1903. The Balmoral Hotel was demolished in 1967. Littlewoods took its place, before it too was demolished in the 2000s. Primark now occupies the site. It offers a different approach to the ball gown than white silk covered with black embroidered lisse and trimmed with cardinal velvet. The Gentlewoman is still published, describing itself as a ‘fabulous magazine for modern women of style and purpose’. Regrettably its correspondent could not be persuaded to cover the recent Carlton Christmas event. Even more regrettably, at that event, high point of the Carlton social calendar as it might have been, white bengaline trimmed with pink primulas was all too conspicuous in its absence.

New Law 1 - Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) Revised method ● Neither umpire shall give a batsman out unless appealed to by the fielding side. ● An appeal "How's That?" covers all ways of being out. ● The umpire may then make a decision. ● Where the umpire adjudges the batsman to be be out, the batsman may respond immediately ‘Oh no it isn’t.’ ● The bowler will then respond ‘Oh yes it is’. ● The batsman and the bowler will repeat these phrases. 'Oh yes it is.' 'Oh no it isn't.' ● After 3 such exchanges they will invite the crowd to repeat the phrases 'Oh yes it is.' 'Oh no it isn't.' ● After 3 such exchanges they may divide the crowd into parts for this purpose - each identifiable part of the crowd will be allocated one or other of the phrases. ● After 1 such exchange the batsman will cup his hand to his ear and shout, ‘I can’t hear you.’ The crowd will raise its voice higher to shout OH NO IT ISN'T’. After a further exchange, the bowler will perform a similar action. ● After 3 such exchanges the umpire will answer the appeal in favour of the batter or the bowler according to which shout is louder. ● At this point the batter or the bowler, whichever is appropriate, will run towards the members’ enclosure with what appears to be a bucket full of water. At the determined spot near the boundary he will trip and the contents of the bucket will pour over the members – not water but ICC approved confetti. New Law 2 - Stumped ● The non-striking batsman, should he apprehend the wicket keeper standing up, may call to the striking batsman ‘He’s behind you.’ ● At that point the wicket keeper will hide behind the slip fieldsman. The striking batsman will slowly turn 360 degrees and cry, ‘He’s behind me – who’s behind me?’ ● The batsman will resume his stanced the non-striker will again say ‘He’s behind you.’ The keeper will hide. ● The striking batsman will turn, either more slowly or more quickly, or in a different direction than previously. At the end of each turn he will cry ‘There’s nobody behind me.’ ● After the wicket keeper has taken up position on 6 occasions the umpire will call 'Over' and play will change ends. For some traditionalists, the Hundred is hard to distinguish from Pantomime. Perhaps the authorities should take the next step. Here are some Pantomime inspired changes to the laws of cricket which could bring the crowds surging back. PANTO SEASON

New Law 3 - Substitution by pantomime horse ● The umpires shall have discretion to allow a substitute for a fielder, or a runner for a batsman, at any time. ● No substitute or runner shall be allowed on the field of play unless it is in the form of a pantomime horse. ● The pantomime horse may not take on the role of captain or wicketkeeper. ● Either end of the pantomime horse may take a fair catch. Pantomime Cow Stops Play At the Headingley Test in the 1997 Ashes, a pantomime cow attempted to invade the field. (Picture above rt)) It was chased and apprehended by a steward, somewhat over vigorously because the front half was knocked unconscious and suffered serious injury. There is no evidence to suggest that the cow was a substitute fielder. England lost that match by an innings and 61 runs which suggests that a number of pantomime performers had already entered the field of play. Ricky Ponting batted 6 and scored his first Test century. He would score 40 others subsequently. Jason Gillespie took 7 for 37 in England's first innings, his career best Test return. Botham on the Boards Ian Botham made regular pantomime appearances towards the end of his cricket career. In 1992 he was late joining England’s tour to New Zealand prior to the World Cup due to his appearance in Jack and the Beanstalk in Bournemouth. Lack of practice didn’t seem to affect him - he hit 79 from 73 balls in an early outing. He then assisted England to the Final where they were beaten by Pakistan. Botham was out for 0 - oh yes he was! CRICKETING PANTO TRIVIA Botham is the only cricketer to have taken to Pantomime - other sports stars to have done so include Gareth Thomas, Colin Jackson and Frank Bruno.

Hullo. In the bleak midwinter - and never has a midwinter been more bleak - we've had water coming in our roof for days now. So much so that my wife Ephesia has taken to wearing wellingtons around the house. Verily, her repeated suggestion that walking on water is a skill that I should master strikes me as wholly inappropriate. But no matter how bleak the midwinter is, it is our lot in life to bring happiness to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. A cheery wave from us happy souls can make their day. Even though as I look around me, it strikes me that there may not be too many souls who are less fortunate than me. I've had a hell of ‘a year. A bloody nightmare from day one. In the bleak midsummer - and never was a summer more bleak in my considerable experience of bleak midsummers. Some of you may have thought that all that stuff in the Good Book about it raineth for forty days and forty nights was a poetic expression. Indeed my own keen sense of humour may have from time to time made light of it - I acknowledge now that my suggestion that the Lord did not say unto Noah build me an ark, but instead build me an anorak was too radical a reinterpretation of scripture. It may also have been in questionable taste given the Church roof blew off in the January gales. And for this I am sorry. It was in the midst of the summer downpour that a member of the local cricket club came to me seeking spiritual guidance, which, there being nothing worth watching on the telly at the time, I was only too willing to give.Reverend,’ he said, 'Whit is it whit I should dae in these terrible times of torment?' My first thought was that he should learn to speak English, but, Good Samaritan that i am I suppressed such an uncharitable thought. 'Brother' I said unto him. 'What is it that troubles thee?' Upon which he let out such a wail of lamentation that reminded me of myself on a good day. The gist was that this soul was once a star batsman but had been dismissed for a succession of low scores. His wife, fed up of hearing his endless tales of biased umpires and dodgy wickets had left him. His business went bankrupt as he practised 24 hours a day. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. He was at the end of his tether. He was thinking of ending it all. And so he went on......... and on............and on. It is at times like this that one's vocation comes to the fore. That one's long years of training in the Ministry bring forth their fruit. Without that I might have turned my back on him and passed on the other side of the road. In the spiritual sense of course - the literal sense would have been difficult since he was sitting in my vestry at the time. Drinking my tea. But instead I looked kindly on him, and gently said to him some words of comfort. 'You may think that things are bad just now. But just you wait. It's getting worse. Let me tell you about the day I've had............' For many years the only bearable part of that BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay offering was the address by the Rev I M Jolly. Jolly was the creation of Rikki Fulton, and was a satire on the then Last Call shown late on many weekday nights featuring a fireside homily from some Minister of the Kirk or other. Jolly was the archetypal miserable Christian with the ability to be depressed at every turn of events and Fulton's lugubrious presentation brought out the greyness of that particular Presbyterian view of life. The Reverend Jolly never addressed cricketing issues. However a number of years ago diligent researches unearthed this script which demonstrates Jolly's unrivalled skill at ministering to troubled cricketers. Rev I M JOLLY

Rikki Fulton was a regular Dame in Pantomime at Edinburgh’s Kings Theatre. But he was not only a great comedian. It seems he knew one end of a cricket bat from another. In the early 1960s during the summer run of the Five Past Eight Show at the Kings Theatre, he took part in a number of Charity Cricket Matches at Grange Loan. Only one score card of those matches survives. In 1964 the Carlton batted first and declared after 40 overs with 220. Fulton with his comic partner Jack Milroy opened the batting for the Entertainers. Milroy scored 10, but Fulton stuck around a bit longer eventually being caught in the 17th over for 23. They fell just short of the required total amassing 217 off 55 overs. Alun Davies, in his first season as Carlton’s skipper, took 5-42 in 13 overs. Proceeds of that match were donated to the National Playing Fields Association who had helped Carlton with support for the rebuilding of the Pavilion the year before. The Five Past Eight team at Grange Loan- Rikki Fulton is on the extreme right. 1961. Other ‘household names’ who took part included Cartoon Cavalcade’s Glen Michael, actor Clem Ashby and singer Alistair McHarg. RIKKI FULTON AT GRANGE LOAN Pantomime poster, Kings Theatre 1980

There was usually a full ring of seats all round the ground - mainly to see the stars of the cast Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy - whose Francie and Josie characters were at the height of their TV popularity. In the 1964 match Ted Rimmington played in attacking style for 80 with the brisk support of David Brown (one time Secretary of the club) in a stand of 95 for the 7th wicket. The King's side had a few guests including George Waites of Heriot’s who bowled with his customary accuracy and penetration. (I don't recall if he was on at my end but having stood when he was, I can tell you that one of his boots squeaked as he ran in.) Other guests in this game were top scorer Freddie MacLeod of Stewarts, former rugby international and President of the SRU, and Norman Mair (below) reporter for The Scotsman and double cricket and rugby international. They had a partnership of 70. Norman also played in one of the other games when he bowled some decent slow left arm overs. Prior to that I had not realised that he bowled. The main driving force from the King's Theatre was Scottish actor Clem Ashby who certainly looked as though he had played before and knew what he was doing. When Fulton and Milroy (aka Francie and Josie - photo below) opened the batting for King's Theatre, Jack Milroy played to the crowd with bits of nonsense but Rikki Fulton took greater interest in the game and asked me some sensible questions about what was going on. Both lost their wickets to the leg spin of Walter Turnbull. I also have recollections from two of the other matches. In one I was umpiring at square leg on the Grange Loan side of the ground with King's guest player Ronnie Chisholm on my left at mid wicket when the Scotland international player dived to his right to take an acrobatic one handed catch. The large crowd, probably containing a good number who had little or no experience of cricket, realised they had seen something very special and let out a huge roar. In another I was umpiring at the pavilion end with Douglas Barr of Melville FP and Scotland running had down the slope to bowl fast. This was under the old back foot no ball rule and he did have a big drag. I was watching closely but could not detect that he was infringing the law. He did eventually bowl a ball with his foot outside the return crease and I called this. The bowler, well known as a fiery character, turned. I was ready for a full frontal diatribe. But he merely asked me, politely but firmly, "Was that outside the return crease?” I replied "Yes." and he walked back to his mark. Long time Carlton friend Bill Polson remembers umpiring the Carlton v Kings Theatre matches Bill in action at Grange Loan in the 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013

As we while away our time watching from a boundary bench or pavilion seat, inevitable cricket banter often moves onto who’s the fastest bowler you’ve faced, who’s the best Carlton cricketer you’ve seen and who’s hit the biggest six. I’ll save the summary of the overall best XI I’ve played both with and against for another time but having been pestered for some time by the Arrow newsletter editor here are the best Carlton players I’ve seen represent the club. Obviously each of us will have our own opinion and many of the Carlton community, young or old, player or supporter, may disagree with my XI. Of course, I respect our different viewpoints and love the subtleties and nuances of any cricketing analysis. They are what make cricket the wonderful, thought-provoking sport it is - for me cricket is ‘the chess of all ball sports’. Naming the best XI is a very tricky ask and has limitations given my time at the club spanning two 4-year periods during very different eras – 2009-2012 and 2019 to the present day. There are a number of honourable mentions who just miss out on the cut and I hope they forgive me for their omission! These are - Omar Ahmad, the sultan of swing, Rory McCann the canny, hard hitting Ulsterman, and my good friend and coaching guru Stevie Gilmour. If these 3 aren’t playing you know you have a good team on your hands. It may surprise many that none of the Carlton overseas players features on the list. This relates to the fact that my first stint at the club coincided with a ridiculously strong phase of player recruitment in the club’s history coinciding with latter years of several club stalwarts. Many of the team I played with around the 2009-2011 period were playing for Scotland or had previously represented their country and the club rightly focused their financial resources on coaching and becoming the leading club in Scotland for developing young players. I firmly believe in this policy if you want to build sustainable success and strength in a club and community. I have seen too many clubs in northern England and Scotland hire ‘guns’ only for the club to fail in its mission to win trophies - and it typically triggers a subsequent mass player exodus. Constant consideration of building a community and always having an eye on the next generation should be a high priority for any club worth its salt. Pete Deakin’s Best Ever Carlton XI Pete takes over the selection committee and analyses who should be in his dream Carlton XI Pete on his way to 96* v SMRH, May 2010

Anyway time to get off the soap box and focus on the task in hand, Deakin’s best Carlton XI, in batting order:- Cedric English Bryn Lockie Fraser Watts Preston Mommsen Tom Simpson Hugo Southwell Craig Wright Gordon Drummond Jamie Kerr Alistair Evans Ross Lyons As many of the older generation around the club will know Ceddy’s record (look at the centuries list on the Carlton website) testifies to his reputation as one of the club legends. He terrified both batters and bowlers with his ruthless south African aggression. He was a prodigious talent and many a young player or batter getting padded up would endure or run for cover if he failed with the bat or got a bad decision. I sense he mellowed in his final few years but his uncompromising nature and striving for success was clearly an inspiration and something I much admired. My only game against Scotland featured two of the XI – Bryn and Craig when I played for Dorset in round 1 of the Nat West in 2022. Flying up and down in one day from Southampton wasn’t perhaps the best preparation for this Nat West first round tie. Bryn Lockie was a fine batter and a pillar in his own right with an outstanding record of centuries. Anything loose was always pounced upon and Bryn and Ceddy formed a formidable opening partnership for many a year. Lockie unfortunately fell for a duck that day but Craig Wright scored a quickfire 39. I caught him off the bowling of Pyman, not sure where. I managed to sneak 2 wickets for 34 off 5 overs, getting the scalp of Australian A batter Corrie Richards but fell to Wrighty nicking off for 4 and being one of his 3 victims that day at the historic West of Scotland ground. Fraggle was a true technician and dismissed anything short to the boundary often peppering the wall and Grange Loan road beyond. Opening or coming in at number 3, Frag would also ‘bat for his life’ at times, a rare quality in Scottish batters it seems nowadays. Watts and Mommsen would also compete to be the Jonty Rhodes of the team (the world class south African covers fielder of the 1990s, for the younger readers). They would set that all important standard in the field. Gilly must also get a mention at this point. Although not in my ultimate XI, he also set the standard in the field, was a classy batter and I have no doubt that the Carlton fielding culture was formed during this era. It is a joy to watch him continue to create and develop the next generation of Carlton cricketers and put such a strong focus on this, often underestimated, part of the game.

In my more recent time at the club, two batters have stood out. Whilst they could and would bat in the top 4 of any Scottish club team or representative side, they add power and ingenuity to the middle order in this XI. Hugo’s cricketing prowess is not known by many but as a schoolboy cricketer he played along side Ashes hero Matt Prior for Sussex county age groups and could have easily carved out a alternative professional career at Hove over the summer months. Maybe in a different era he could have been an Ian Botham - combining cricket and rugby rather than Botham’s favoured winter sport playing for Scunthorpe in football league. The youngest member of the team’s exploits at Lords’ earlier this year demonstrate what Tom would bring to the team. The shift towards T20 cricket certainly suits the destructive Southwell and Simpson and the latter would be an effective fifth seamer if required. Although Simmo could keep, it would be remiss not to include JK who should have played more for his country based his glove work, perhaps a little more than his propensity to sweep every ball but some may argue his innovative 360 batting would suit the ‘bazball’ approach and modern era. With Preston, Drummo and Rosco the team of the 2009-2011 era was littered with fantastic all-rounders. Lyons was predominantly a spin bowler but he hit a long ball and I have fond memories of my Carlton debut batting with Ross when he bludgeoned 3 huge straight sixes. Although predominantly a classy south hemisphere batter, Preston’s off spin compliments the guile of Ross Lyons’ orthodox slow left arm and Wrighty must also feature in this XI as one of the leading all-rounders of his generation. Drummond’s explosive batting and Craig’s game sense would make an ideal pair to be the ‘finishers’ in a run chase; a crucial role needed in the modern game.

After scoring an EPL century a couple of years ago, Ali Evans would also now claim he needs to be considered in the same all-rounder category! Drummo’s zip off the pitch surprised many and his striking seam movement did for many high quality batters. Evo’s nagging length and his ability to extract additional bounce always provided contrast and Ceddy and Craig’s ability to swing the ball would maintain the more traditional art form of bringing the slips into play. The final part of this selection process needs me to name a skipper. This is perhaps the hardest decision overall. The XI is littered with natural and nurtured leaders and I have no doubt all would fulfil many of the traits required in the art of captaincy – the need to lead with both action and words. (Maybe that’s for a future newsletter). A decision is needed. Arguably the most successful captains are Wright and Mommsen based on their Scotland leadership roles but Drummond gets the nod from me. His cricket brain, tactical awareness and ability to read a batsman’s technique and potential weaknesses makes him stand out. His influential presence and sense of humour would set the standard and develop the all-important camaraderie on and off the field that any successful team needs. Finally I suppose some might ask would I get in this team? Maybe in my younger years but probably not. However I’d give it a bloody good go! Good Luck Hannah Carlton favourite Hannah Rainey, seen below on her way to 5-41 for Scotland v ireland in October this year, recently announced she intended to play cricket full time. Hannah talks about her decision and the life as a vet she will leave behind to follow her dream in the link below. https://youtu.be/_94WeQbZCdM

Find the number that was special to Carlton in 2023 Take the number of presents received from my true love over the Twelve Days of Christmas Subtract the number of: Wise Men Ships which came sailing in Lessons and Carols in the traditional Christmas service Sides on a snowflake Windows on an advent calendar Christmas number 1’s by the Beatles Front teeth wanted for Christmas Reindeer Santa has (before Rudolf joined) Joys of Mary Drummers drumming The century in which Christmas was banned Sizes by which the Grinch’s heart grew on Christmas Day CHRISTMAS BY NUMBERS

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Take the initial letter of the surname of each famous face and rearrange to get a seasonal greeting.

WINTER NETS RAISE FUNDS FOR CARLTON EVERY TIME YOU SHOP ONLINE Please sign up to Easyfundraising and click through every time you make an online purchase. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/carltoncc