Issue 73

It’s been just over a month since I returned from the one of the best experiences of my life – experiencing a World Cup! It’s certainly been some journey to get there and I was so grateful to be part of the first ever squad to represent Scotland Women on the global stage. Having made my Scotland debut in 2005, (yes 2005 is not a typo!) it's been a long dream of mine. And one which as the years went on, and the growth of Women’s cricket in Scotland wasn’t quite advancing at the pace as that of our closest ranked International rivals, it was a dream which I feared would not come within my playing career. The last two years have been a challenge in more ways than one – surgery, injury, becoming a mother, and losing my part-time playing contract at Cricket Scotland. And following the latter, the ICC Global T20 Qualifiers landed in April 2024 - during my parental leave. Being unavailable for selection as a result, I sat at home and watched my teammates put in the performances of their lives and play some of the best cricket I’ve ever seen us play, which ultimately led us to securing a spot at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Abbi’s World Cup Dream Comes True It was such a bitter-sweet moment for me – this was the first qualifiers I had ever missed – so not being there in person to experience that moment was extremely difficult, despite the obvious elation I was feeling for the squad! From the moment the team qualified, and in the face of adversity, I (I really should say we, as none of this would have been possible without the support of Annette) made it my mission to prove points and do everything I possibly could to make that World Cup squad. With most of my national teammates now on full time professional contracts south of the border, I knew it would be a challenge, and realistically I knew there were only a few spots in that squad for me to fight for. But fast forward to August 2024, I received a phone call that I’ll remember for a long time – I was off to the World Cup! And so, 16 September 2024, we set off to UAE! Our tour consisted of a 10-day prep camp before the World Cup proper, and boy did we need it. THE HEAT! I’ve been very lucky to travel around the world playing cricket in different climates, and I’ve also toured UAE on multiple occasions.

But WOW. It was nothing like we’d ever experienced before. Training in the heat took some getting used to! And having 3 out of 4 of our World Cup group matches being day games as opposed to the cooler (yet very humid!) evening games under the lights, we knew it was going to be a tough challenge for us Scots! After our training camp, we moved into the official tournament hotel – and what an experience. If this is the life that ‘Full Members’ experience, no wonder it’s such a small club! All 10 teams in one 5 star hotel. Little old Scotland occupying a breakfast hall with the World’s best, sharing the hotel lift with the likes of Ellyse Perry, and Alysa Healy, and casually bumping into Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine in the nearby coffee shop. It was daunting, and surreal. But we laughed about it and soon learnt to puff out our chests and hold our heads high. We were at a World Cup, but more importantly, we deserved the right to be at a World Cup. We had 5 warm up games in total, and came away with 3 wins, including two Full Member scalps against Pakistan and West Indies! We were building nicely and playing some great cricket. On to the tournament proper! We had Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and England in our group. We were excited about getting the opportunity to open the World Cup against Bangladesh, a familiar opponent at previous Qualifiers in the years gone by. What we didn’t know, was that the stadium heat we would experience playing in was 47 degrees! I still don’t know how our players got through that game (shout out to Sarah Bryce for keeping under the lid for 20 overs then opening the batting and carrying her bat!!). It was physically the toughest challenge the team had ever faced and one which I hope we don’t have to repeat, not to sound ungrateful! We fell short by 16 runs in the end, and the disappointment was evident - particularly after playing great cricket in the warm-ups – that was the game we were targeting!

I couldn’t finish this piece without mentioning my good friend, Carlton legend, and now WORLD CUP WINNER, Leigh Kasperek. Having been friends with Leigh since the mid-2000’s when she made her Scotland debut, our cricket paths have taken very different journeys. She played a huge part in Scotland Women’s World Cup qualification, being with the team in April this year as Assistant Coach, and so the World Cup experience for her must have thrown up so many emotions. Unfortunately, similar results followed in the remaining 3 group matches. It’s the hope that kills you! Our management stuck with the same playing XI in the first three games and made one change in the last match. Sadly, that meant myself, familiar face Hannah Rainey, and Chloe Abel came home without experiencing time in the middle. The highs and lows of performance sport! Whilst I was disappointed not to get a run out, I look back on my experience with nothing but gratitude and pride, and I’m so thankful I got to experience the occasion and be part of a history making squad. And are my eyes now on ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in England? … Never say never! It was great to have Leigh around, though the make-up of the hotel meant that each squad had an entire floor to themselves. It didn’t take long for us to make sure Leigh had a keycard for our floor, and she spent arguably just as much time with us as the Whiteferns (sssh!). I’m sure she would admit her frustrations at her lack of playing time also, I know I remain frustrated on her behalf!! But it really was so special having one of my best mates there to experience the moment together. Leigh with the World Cup Trophy

THE BIG PRIZE - BEST BATTER In 1936, Carlton’s batter of the year was Dr J E Philips. In 19 innings he scored 725 runs at an average of 60.41 and a top score of 97. At the club's awards ceremony that year he was rewarded not with the usual cup or quaich but an outsize bat. According to the newspaper report of the event, the presentation ‘excited a good deal of mirth.’ A similar humorous award of an outsize ball was made to NL Stevenson, who took the bowling award for his relatively modest performance of 26 wickets at 7.64. (A modest haul - on several occasions Stevenson took 100 or more wickets in the season). Phillips, who had been born in the West Indies had played for Carlton since 1913 and was renowned as a hard hitting middle order bat. He was capped three times by Scotland. His solitary century for the club came in 1937 - 105* against St Boswells. His recognition as best batter interrupted a run of seven years in which the award was made to Tom Crosskey, Carlton’s long serving professional. In all Crosskey has the most awards with 12 (7 as pro, 5 when he reverted to amateur status), closely followed by G W Jupp with 11. In the modern era, Cedric English was best batter 7 times (3 as a pro and 4 as an amateur). Dr J E Phillips with the Best Batter Award in 1936. Below, Cedric English wins Batter of the Year for the 7th time in 2010. He also took the Outstanding Performance Award that year for his innings of 148* v Uddingston.

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Fielding has always been one of my favourite parts of the game and something that I have always taken pride in individually, and I think this is also reflected in Carlton’s mentality of always wanting to use our youth to throw ourselves around in the field and set the standard to back up our bowlers at every opportunity. Two particular moments spring to mind that show how you are able to affect the game from anywhere on the field and change the course of a game at any time. The first of these was in the first game of the 2023 season playing at home against Meigle. Their overseas pro Tiaan Brits was opening the batting and I was able to run him out within the first 10 overs for 19 with a direct hit to mark the first competitive wicket of the season and what proved to be a decisive dismissal as he went on to amass over 600 runs over the course of the rest of the league season. (See this highlight reel - although Rory is not in the shot as he fields and throws. Rory also took 3-33 in that innings). The other happened at the T20 Finals day at Portgower Place this summer playing against a fully loaded RHC team including both Munsey and McMullen. After I bowled into Munsey’s slot for the first 6 balls of the innings and was sent for 22, I went out to deep square the following over. An ‘intentional half tracker’ on Munsey’s hip from LOD was flayed out to deep square and, in what in my mind is the best catch I have taken, I was able to run round and pluck the ball out of the air at full stretch, saving a 6 (and me having to bowl any further balls to Munsey). We went on to win that game on the back of a superb 5-fer from LOD and a great fielding effort all round. Photo rt - off-screen Rory has soared to take a miracle catch. George Munsey watches in disbelief and Carlton fielders are on the move. FIELDER OF DREAMS Rory Allardice Carlton’s Fielder of the Year 2023 is a strong candidate for the award again this year I like to think of these as examples of how Carlton sets itself apart in the field from other teams and similar feats have been seen from many players at the club throughout the years. I would always say to a young player coming through and getting their opportunity at senior level that being a good fielder that can hold their own and is comfortable to take up any position on the field will always make you stand out from the crowd and could be the difference that gets you the opportunity that another player may not. I would be the first to say that there are limitations to my own game with bat and ball but have always felt confident that I can positively impact the game for all 50 of our fielding overs no matter the circumstances. And after all this, most people at Carlton say I’m not even the best fielder in my family….

Having departed Scotland and Carlton two years ago now, I am thoroughly enjoying life over in New Zealand (Auckland). Working and living in New Zealand is great, a very laid back place with a lot better weather! I tried my hand in some cricket over here when I first moved over, however due to lots of rain and 2 day games over the weekend. Any of you that know me will know that’s not something I want it be involved in Any skills I had gained from growing up in Scotland were well and truly lost having to bowl on a concrete Astro. Instead of low and slow wickets it was trying to bowl medium paced bouncers.. Instead I’ve taken up a few more kiwi activities like surfing and a lot more golf. It has to be said I do very much miss the teas on a Saturday afternoon at Carlton and look forward to heading down to the ground next time I’m in Edinburgh. Hope everyone at the club is well and if anyone is over this side of the world be sure to reach out! In 29 first team matches Calum took 30 wkts at 21.07 with a best of 4-16 v Watsonians in 2016. CALUM EVERETT Enjoying Life in the Land of the White Cloud

ON TOUR WITH GRAHAM LANGLEY Graham Langley was Carlton skipper in 1990 and 1991. He remembers some hi-jinks on end of season tours. Apart from being part of the team that won the East league, Masterton trophy and being voted Scottish team of the year in 1988, the highlight of representing the club during three decades at Carlton is the friendships that were formed and continue to this day and the memories that will live with me to the grave. The annual post season tour to Newcastle (1985-94) assumed legendary status. The games were always very competitive against quality opposition at top grounds (County Ground Jesmond, Gateshead Fell, Ashington, Morpeth etc). Playing against the likes of Richie Richardson and Damien Martyn were terrific experiences but the apres-cricket was simply unforgettable! Strong drink was usually involved and tempted by some “interesting concoctions” key players could find themselves unfit to play the next day. Our Newcastle tour usually coincided with the annual Scarborough cricket festival and on one occasion we found ourselves acclaimed as the “World XI” that took part in a beach cricket extravaganza on a Northumberland beach following the last minute cancellation of our game at Whitburn due to a fixture cock up. Our beach cricket game attracted a couple of curious local youngsters, one of whom asked if we were playing at The Scarborough festival to which I replied we were the World XI and were playing the next day. The news spread and before long, there was a crowd of youngsters all clamouring for autographs. A couple of the guys had headed into town to buy a ball for a kick about on the beach and were mobbed on their return. The soccer didn’t last long however, two hoofs and the ball was in the sea, en-route to Holland! We had a Saffer, Scots, a couple of Aussies, a Sri Lankan and English guys and the kids were beside themselves to receive autographs from, amongst others, Darryl Cullinan (aka self), Wayne Larkins (aka Hugh Parker), Michael Whitney, Dean Jones, Brendon Kurrupu (aka David Ponniah) and Ravi Shastri (Alan McLeod). Great memories and it is a real pity these tours are no more! Above - Graham Langley in 1991 Below - sweeping Indian Test spinner Wookeri Raman to the boundary in Carlton’s League Title clinching match with Kirkcaldy in 1988.

As Graham Langley observes, tours - whether end of season or on occasion mid-season - are no longer part of Carlton’s calendar. Like many other clubs, these traditions have fallen away as players have other pressures on their time and league cricket dominates. But over its history, and prior to the period Graham refers to, Carlton were determined tourists - and also host to many touring teams. In June 1922, Carlton spent a week on the Isle of Man playing various local opposition, including a victory over a representative Isle of Man XV. As NL Stevenson reports, ‘With GW Jupp and myself in fine bowing form, and with Jupp and John Kerr scoring consistently we won our Isle of Man matches without too much difficulty while the social side of the tour was all that could be desired.’ That tour, whose forbidding logistics involved a train journey to Blackpool and a sea crossing from Fleetwood, was organised by an un-named Carlton member with connections on the island. According to Stevenson that member enthusiastically travelled with the party to Blackpool but declined to board the ferry having noticed the sea conditions. It was only five days later that he deemed the sea tranquil enough for him to join the party again. ON TOUR

For many years in the first part of the 20th Century, a tour to the north-east of Scotland was a well established part of the Carlton calendar. A range of clubs was visited including Ballater, Aboyne, Forres and Army sides at local barracks. There was also a much loved regular fixture at Balmoral against the Royal Household - the photos below show action from the 1921 match and the Carlton side at Balmoral in 1923. These tours were recorded in some detail in annual club booklets reviewing the season - see photo right of those still in the club’s possession. A full facsimile of the 1927 booklet - Dr NL Stevenson’s Northern tour can be found on the club website. Its period charm is irresistible, it describes not only the cricketing endeavours but the social side of the tour with golf, walking and sightseeing significant activities. The 1924 booklet, Abstracts and Chronicles, has been digitised by the National Library of Scotland and can be read via their website. ON TOUR

Carlton’s touring party to Morayshire in 1922 was boosted by the inclusion of Dr B G Melle as a guest player. If ever the club engaged a ringer, this was it. A medical acquaintance of Stevenson, Melle was a South African all-rounder who had played First Class Cricket for Oxford University and Hampshire before the First World War. Melle’s son MG Melle later played Test cricket for South Africa. Cricket historians give B G Melle an influential role in the development of bodyline, given that he bowled in-swingers with two or three short-legs. The 1922 our’s chronicler reported that, ‘Melle proved not only a tower of strength on the cricket field but also a great acquisition in all the varied amusements of the tour. A wonderful natural golfer with a marked preference for niblick shots; a bridge player of high class; a skilful musician whose talents deserved a more appreciative audience than touring cricketers, and a charming and delightful companion at all hours of day or night.’ He may have a been a little above the standard that Carlton’s opponents bargained for. In the match against Northern Counties, Melle took 8 wickets. In the match against Fort George Garrison, he took all 10 (five of them snaffled in the short leg area), a unique achievement in Carlton history. Against Elgin he took 6 wickets, following which, no doubt to the relief of Northern cricketers, he left the touring party. A Handy Guest on Tour Melle’s preference for numerous fielders close to the wicket on the leg side caused some anxiety among the rest of the party which was recorded in verse: Two bare yards from the batsman These heroes took their stand The stories of the wondrous deeds Spread fast throughout the land Such catches and such ground-work Had ne’er been seen before; The Northern side fell easy prey; Elgin’s fair town in ruins lay Fort George saw Melle’s record day - His victims half a score Carlton in action at Fort George

ON TOUR - 1920’s style

Carlton’s most recent spell of touring was between 1985 and 1994, when the team regularly visited the North East of England. Sides such as Ashington, Jesmond and Morpeth were regular opponents. In 1985 Carlton beat a strong side at Jesmond - ground shown above - with Alan Swan winning it with the bat. The hosts were not happy losing to a Scottish side and were even less happy when Carlton enthusiastically celebrated not only their own victory but also that of Freuchie winning the Village Cup at Lord’s the same afternoon. This remained the solitary victory by a Scottish club in a national competition until Carlton u15’s victory in 2023. ON TOUR Freuchie skipper David Christie with the Village Trophy - Front page News!

I was persuaded to come to Carlton by the Captain at the time, Graham Langley and moved from Hawick to join my fellow Teri, Kevin “Mooncat” Whittaker at the best club in Edinburgh. Despite my deceptive lack of pace and inability to hold a bat properly, I had a few incredibly enjoyable seasons at Grange Loan that I still look back on very fondly. It was fantastic to play with some great characters: Jimmy “Grumpy” Govan - who can forget the ginger hair and bright red face stomping around the ground and kicking the stumps over. Then there was Andy Macpherson with his 17 different bats, none of which could get the ball off the square and Graham Langley whose best performances all seemed to follow 12 pints and a hot Indian curry, preferably in the morning before a game. Spike McLeod, the thinnest adult male to have reached adulthood was another, Hugh Parker, Scotty McLeod, Poon of course, Ben Kemp and David Lamerson who I am still in touch with. I have to thank Andy for helping me score all of the runs I managed in my debut season. Both of my runs for the entire season, came from inside edges onto my pads and Andy desperately running to get down to the striker’s end to get me off strike. When my wife and I moved to Australia, my career suffered twin setbacks which brought it to an end. As an opening bowler, I was disgusted to find the state of the practice pitches. No matter how I bowled, the ball bounced straighter than it should and at an annoyingly regular height. This was not what I was used to! In the 1992 Masterton Final things were not looking good for Carlton as Grange began the final over requiring only 5 runs to win. Enter Tich, who bowled an over of superb yorkers taking three wickets and only conceding 1 run. A Man of the Match performance? But the MOM cheque (for the generous amount of £25) had been written out just before the start of the last over - making the award to Hugh Parker whose 64 was the foundation of Carlton’s total. Richard graciously acknowledged Hugh’s contribution in comment to a local reporter. Between 1991 and 1997, Richard Bannerman (Tich) took 219 wickets for Carlton in 125 league and cup matches. He was best bowler in 1993 and 1995. He had 7 five-wicket hauls in all and a best return of 7-15 against Royal High in 1994. In the Masterton he took 52 wickets in 25 matches. He is the sixth leading Carlton wicket taker in the modern era. Richard emigrated to Australia in 1997 and is based in Western Australia where he continues to practice law. He remembers his team mates at Grange Loan with affection. G’DAY FROM RICHARD BANNERMAN Unabashed, I had seen cricket being played overlooking the Indian Ocean in the second most picturesque setting imaginable so I wrote a letter and put it under their door. Unfortunately, my application was rejected, the letter politely advised me that I had tried to join an All-Women’s League. At that point, retirement seemed sensible!