THE GENT No.168 October 2019 Gents – the harsh new reality J. Small. Bleeding on club kit. Guilty. Fined £2.

Match reports: Bricklayer’s Arms (won by 77 runs) Salix (won by 9 wickets) Winchmore Hill Tigers (lost by 3 wickets) Crossbats (won by 114 runs) Squirrels (won by 41 runs) Hale (won by 76 runs)

Summary of the season Averages, statistics, intrigue and tributes

Read about the Gents on www.gowlcc.org

Contact this magazine via email [email protected]

2019 Played 24 Won 19 Lost 5 Debuts: Z. Ahmed, Corbett, Pavithran, Sirikonda Runs Kota 674 PB, Namilikonda 597 PB, Gulati 367 PB, Sudireddy 339 PB, Kumar 262, Chatharaju 228 PB, S. Patel 167, Dubey 164, H. Patel 163, Basker 148, Francis 139, A. Ahmed 120, Pentakota 100 Wickets Chatharaju 25 PB, Namilikonda 25 PB, H. Patel 25, Kota 18, Kumar 18 PB, Krishna 12 PB, Dubey 11 Ct./St. Namilikonda 16/3 PB, Sudireddy 12/4 PB, Dubey 8 PB, Kota 8, S. Patel 7, Gulati 6 PB

Ten years on from 2009, when the team had an influx of talent and lost only twice, the Gents played with good spirit, had fun, celebrated and commiserated together. Opponents, the best judges, remarked upon the high standards of behaviour on and off the pitch. The dignity of members was impugned in social media less often than feared, nobody flounced off during a game, fields were moved without permission fewer than ten times a match and there was only one brawl. Several players had their best seasons.

A long campaign in which the Gents honoured every fixture started in brisk temperatures of 9C at Marble Hill Park and ended 23 weeks and one day later as autumn closed in on the North Downs at Hale. Longer seasons are a modern trend, to early October in some clubs. Twenty years ago, the season ran from the last weekend in April to early September. The Old Tenisonians groundsman cancelled the home game with Bricklayer’s Arms, the only casualty to the weather in a dry summer.

Retention of captain and vice-captain always helps to lend a settled air. A squad similar to that of 2018 responded, 11 playing in at least half the games. Caveney and Dubey made their 100th appearances. Forty-one played in all, debutants including the luckless Corbett, whose season was terminated by injury, Z. Ahmed from Wycombe House, Reddy, the first international to play for the club, Sirikonda and Pavithran. Francis was in better health and it showed. Oruganti and Small made welcome if brief returns.

Seven new teams were played including the rebranded Tigers. There were visits to three wonderful new grounds; Byfleet, Teddington Town and prospective landlords Wycombe House. The Tigers match was played on their first XI pitch, a sign of how far both sides have come in recent years. Baker Street Irregulars, in total disarray, Gubbays and Wimbledon United cancelled but replacements were found, the Gents subletting United’s Cottenham RG for the visit of the chaotic West London. Expect more change in 2020 as the Gents try to resolve the vexatious problem of their home ground.

With a dry summer and true pitches it was no surprise that there was a proliferation of runs. Gents batted first in 17 of the 24 matches, a contrast to 2018 when they set a target in only five out of 19. Total runs (4,623 at an average of 193) and individual scores of 50 or more (25 by 12 players) were records. Two batsmen scored over 500 runs, a first. Kota hit six 50s, Namilikonda a century and four 50s, Gulati a century and two 50s, and Kumar and S. Patel two 50s each. Five batsmen enjoyed their personal best aggregates, indicated PB above. Basker remained an effective opener, A. Ahmed batted well when injury allowed. Caveney enjoyed little luck but took one of the catches of the season at Teddington Town.

Gents bowlers paid only 4.1 runs per over in 2019 compared with 4.8 in 2018. Not since 2012 has an opponent failed to make 200. Three bowlers ended on 25 wickets (H. Patel took 16 from August when the pitches turned more) and four recorded personal-best tallies. Snelling took his 400th wicket, which was filmed, H. Patel his 300th and Kumar his 100th. Eighty catches stuck out of 104 fielding dismissals, second only to the 105 in 2009 when one fewer game was played. Namilikonda took the most catches and the most fielding dismissals ever with Sudireddy, a good find as glovesman, only three victims behind.

It took a good side to down the Gents so the five who did so should be applauded. Millfields bowled cannily on a difficult pitch to defend 103; Kempton were indebted to a talented overseas professional Australian, Jarod Little; St Anne’s spinners were a revelation; Clapham In had the best-balanced bowling attack faced for years; and Winchmore Hill Tigers took risks with their batting order, chasing with acumen and conviction. Battersea Eagles and QMC Pak were only closed out by narrow margins.

S. Patel led sacrificially, batting only nine times and rarely bowling. His 57 at Teddington Town was the innings of the year, turning the match on its head after a collapse from 89/0 to 135/8. H. Patel led well in the absence of the captain and Dubey and Kumar worked hard as treasurer and chairman. Dubey captained once to good effect. The support of Francis and Toft among others was inspirational.

AGM confirmation You are cordially invited to attend the 2019 Gentlemen of West London CC Annual General Meeting and Awards Evening, which will take place on Saturday 30 November at The Bulstrode Bar, Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 1JG, starting 7pm. This date is not convenient for everyone, but was the one when most could attend. The club will sponsor food from the Asian menu, including vegetarian options. The Bulstrode Bar is next to Hounslow Central tube (Piccadilly line). The previous venue, Club 182, is no longer fit for purpose. Thanks Mr Sudireddy for organising.

Steve Bignell will be Returning Officer, assisted by the incorrigible Dave Bender (left, seen dancing a jig of delight after his slip catch for Judd Street Tigers in 2018). There will be much to discuss and celebrate, but the business of the day will as ever be conducted with decorum. See you there. Agenda, call for Committee nominations, voting forms, etc. will be issued in due course.

Club news The Club hopes to play more games at Wycombe House in 2020. It will be impossible to play every home match there because their Sunday Middlesex Development League lasts from late June till early August, but rest assured we will do what we can. Home games will be split between Old Tenisonians and Wycombe House in a ratio to be determined over the winter.

It is not cheap to play for the Gents and it is the Committee’s duty to provide the best possible venues. We are pleased to report that the 2020 card will include trips to two excellent new grounds, Binfield CC, where Stuart, Joel and Theo Snelling now play, and the beautiful Kempton CC in Sunbury-on-Thames. Salix away at Chiswick House is inked in for 20 September. Kempton and Salix will be home and away.

We are planning more double headers in 2020. They will take place at the beginning and end of the season before and after the Telugu T20 leagues are played, which is from early May to early August.

The 2018/19 accounts show that the Club made a loss over the season (the Baker Street Irregulars cancellation was a disaster and there were fewer memberships paid) but still has funds to take us into 2020. If you owe match fees the Treasurer will have been prompted you to pay, so please do.

Please permit our sharing two personal highlights from an eventful season. Against Kempton, non- playing H. Patel invaded the pitch to move a fielder. The captain spotted this and moved the traumatised chap back. The next ball went straight to him and was comfortably fielded. Six weeks later, veteran guest from Brick Chris Locke inspired the Gents at Teddington Town with a diving stop at third man to prevent a four. Several Gents converged on him, picked him up and dusted him down, and three runs were saved. Incidents like these stay in the memory long after the results are forgotten. Great days.

Battersea Eagles were kind enough to say that the game with the Gents was their best match of the season. Their marathon campaign extended into October, the new cricketing September, and comprised 26 games. Skipper Khalid Harris Khan scored 949 runs with nine 50s, and took 38 wickets.

Finally, at the end of a season tinged with tragedy, we had some good news. Welcome Albie Charles Newcombe to the world.

Lucky to have him We praised above the five batsmen who scored their maiden 50s in 2019 but now let us give credit to the man who gave them the opportunity. It is correct to describe as noble a cricket captain who bats and bowls less than his ability merits. Such a leader bats low and doesn’t often bowl in order to give opportunities to the next generation. Every once in a while he has a bat and blasts a 50 to keep the youngsters on their toes.

Some may argue that because he is a senior, talented player, Sanjay Patel owes his team more time at the crease. But since he resumed the captaincy he has given others chances, to the detriment of his own game. Many have thrived under this extra responsibility. Perhaps anyone who feels that he has not had a fair crack should be made aware that in his 36 games as captain in 2018 and 2019, S.P. did not bat in 16 and neither batted nor bowled in eight. He batted in the top six, where on ability he unquestionably belongs, only five times and bowled only two overs per game, though by his own admission his bowling has lost a little zip in recent years. When injury prevented his playing, he gave freely of his time to his fan base, entertainingly venturing his opinion on a wide range of subjects and never refusing an autograph or a selfie.

500 runs in a season 756 J. Wright 2000 Jim Wright remains elusive. Who will overhaul him? He scored his 756, 680 N. Husain 2007 674 P. Kota 2019 including three 100s, after a winter of intense coaching at Lord’s. Pavan Kota 597 S. Namilikonda 2019 and Srinivas Namilikonda now stand proudly at No.3 and No.4 just behind 586 N. Husain 2005 Nabil Husain, who appears twice. Annals record that runs from T20 and other 562 P. Kota 2018 514 N. Hubbucks 1994 short-form games used to be excluded from club statistics, but rigorous 503 M. Ashton 1995 clerking put that right. As long as a scorecard was recorded, you were okay.

Pavan Kota was disappointed that he did not reach the summit but what a terrific effort to get so close, especially as more players made big runs in 2019. In 2000, only Wright, S. Patel (300) and D. Patel (256) passed 200 runs. In 2019, six did. Individual skill of course contributed, but also important was the number of games played, 24 in formats of 35 (14), 40 (9) or 30 (1) overs. Only 2006 (22 games of 35 overs) comes close. More games (25) were played in 2010, but only 18 were in longer formats.

Top 10s 2015-19 Matches Runs Wickets Catches/Stumpings H. Patel 79 P. Kota 1,821 H. Patel 92 S. Namilikonda 29/5 S. Patel 73 V. Basker 1,162 P. Kota 62 P. Kota 23 V. Krishna 62 S. Kumar 1,114 S. Kumar 57 J. Small 22/2 S. Kumar 62 S. Namilikonda 867 V. Krishna 46 N. Dubey 21/3 P. Kota 59 S. Patel 853 R. Chatharaju 44 S. Patel 20 N. Dubey 58 J. Small 845 N. Dubey 42 R. Sudireddy 18/4 R. Chatharaju 57 H. Patel 841 S. Namilikonda 41 P. Bocha 14 V. Basker 52 P. Bocha 760 S. Patel 41 K. Jampala 11 R. Sudireddy 51 N. Dubey 690 P. Bocha 29 H. Patel 11 W. Caveney 50 R. Sudireddy 526 K. Jampala 23 S. Kumar 10

Revised career Top 30s are now on the website, but rather than repeat them here we thought that we’d bring you the movers and shakers since 2015.

Bouncing balls and leg befores We confirm that from 1 October 2017 it has been a No ball if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the popping crease. So, twice is a No ball. Umpires have therefore been getting this wrong all season. A job worth doing is worth doing well. We now move on to our dear friend Law 36. The incidence of lbws was twice as high when the Gents batted in 2019 as when they fielded. This will nourish the minds of the club’s more suspicious personalities. Whenever the ball thumped into a Gent’s pad, the scorer nervously poised his pencil over the How Out rectangle in the book, with it seems good reason. There are many on-line umpiring courses available and for the basics they are useful and highly recommended.

Bricklayer’s Arms v Gentlemen of West London

Sunday 25 August, Abbey RG. Gents won toss. Sunny, 33C

Won by 77 runs

Gentlemen of West London Bricklayer’s Arms Kumar b Basnet 68 *Tremain b Oruganti 8 A. Ahmed c Locke b Thapa 6 Sturm run out (Puli) 1 Namilikonda not out 109 Poonwasie st Sudireddy b Khan 38 Kota c Sturm b Poonwasie 20 Thapa not out 72 †Sudireddy b Poonwasie 19 Ottley b Khan 0 Chatharaju c Sturm b Goymer 4 Basnet b Dubey 32 Puli b Poonwasie 5 Goymer not out 1 Khan not out 5 Sukul, Hamilton and †Locke dnb Oruganti, Dubey and *S. Patel dnb Extras b6 w3 nb2 11 Extras b7 w7 nb4 18 Total 6 wickets 35 overs 247 Total 5 wickets 35 overs 170 FoW: 15, 132, 171, 213, 220, 229 FoW: 13, 15, 79, 86, 169 Bowling: Thapa 7-1-39-1, Ottley 3-0-21-0, Goymer 7-0-39-1, Bowling: Dubey 6-1-18-1, Oruganti 5-2-12-1, Chatharaju 3-0-24-0, Basnet 7-0-38-1, Sukul 3-0-26-0, Hamilton 2-0-20-0, Khan 7-2-19-2, Kota 7-0-35-0, Kumar 4-0-16-0, S. Patel 2-0-22-0, Poonwasie 5-0-36-3, Tremain 1-0-12-0 Namilikonda 1-0-17-0

Powerhouse batting by Namilikonda (a first club century in 32 overs, with 19 fours) and Kumar (13 fours) put the game beyond Brick with a stand of 117, the season’s highest, in 18 overs. The hosts’ response would have won many games, but they fell short, if never looking like being dismissed.

They enjoyed little luck, suffering the late withdrawal of all-rounder Waqas Mohammed with an injured hand and losing a decisive toss on a hot day. For the Gents Anil Oruganti, weekending from Coventry, replaced Hemin Patel for his first game since 2016.

There was drama before the game when a Gents player fitted after suffering heatstroke. He recovered after rehydrating in the shade and played the whole game. It was wrong that this incident was not reported at the time and the Gents must learn from this. Any illness on match day must be reported to the captain and the club first aider, Nilesh Dubey, who had both strolled out to umpire when the incident occurred. Wisdom did prevail though when drinks breaks were agreed every 12 overs.

Patel batted without hesitation. Poor Ahmed nicked behind in the third over whereupon Kumar and Namilikonda batted with resolution. The odd ball beat the bat and there were a few chances late in the innings but fours came in more overs than not, racing over the fast outfield. The London Borough of Merton pitch contractors cannot have been bowlers in their time. Students of quirkiness would have found much to admire in the score board numbers, which each summed to nine instead of the more common 0/1, 2/3, etc.

Kumar was bowled in the 21st over, his most attacking of the season and a knock of vibrant power. Namilikonda was then happy to play second fiddle to Kota and Sudireddy before going to his hundred in the 33rd, a splendid achievement. One had sympathy for the toiling bowlers, of whom the spinner Poonwasie was the pick, and the fielders, who stood up well. Brick’s impressive young captain Tremain showed leadership, but 248 to win was an onerous challenge.

Brick cater for the inner man and the melon slices and Ottley’s garden plums were a Godsend to wash down the cheese sandwiches and cakes. The Gents had used up all the orange squash in preparing the first innings drinks, for which they copped a brisk teatime wigging from home caterer and ex-captain Watson, which he reprised several times.

Brick went in to bat at ten past five. The finish was likely to be late. Gents had two early successes when Oruganti, bowling at a sharp pace, castled Tremain and Sturm, having been sent back by Poonwasie, was run out by a sharp throw into Sudireddy by mid off Puli, smart work all round. Poonwasie, Thapa and Basnet batted well but needed to score a nine an over for the last 27, an unenviable task.

They batted well, so Khan should be pleased with his two wickets and Dubey his singleton, which came during an over of experimental off breaks. The captain, who has enjoyed better bowling summers, was without a wicket. Meanwhile drama was unfolding at Headingley. The tension was high, so credit goes to both scorers for producing an accurate record in spite of this distraction. A good day ended with Namilikonda generously treating both sides in Brick’s excellent retro local pub, the Trafalgar.

Such hot days send the BBC newsreaders spiralling down into a vortex of numskull reportage. We were told on the late evening news that it was the hottest late summer Bank Holiday Sunday “since records began” by which they mean 1914 when calibration became standardised. Over a long run of data, one would expect the average temperature on 24 August, the earliest Sunday it can be, to be higher than the 25th, which would be higher than the average on the 26th to the 30th. The August Bank Holiday was only moved from the first Monday in the month to the last in 1965. They don’t tell you that, do they? The hottest Sunday between 24 and 30 August in 43 years is less worthy of note, somehow. Fools.

Brick’s report A game eclipsed by what happened at Headingley. We were in the field, with 33C heat, so frequent drinks breaks. The news varied at each, but then the square leg umpire brought out his phone. As we took wickets everyone almost ignored the bowler as we rushed to find the latest. Finally a roar from the boundary announced the win but it was only on finding highlights tonight I realised how close we had come to losing at the death. Amazing. We lost our match but nobody cared.

Frankly this was never a game we were going to win once Waqas decided to WhatsApp a picture of a hurt hand to a gardening Mike Ottley rather than text me as per standing instructions. Had he done so Anil and Tara could have brought a replacement. Learn from this, people.

We were unexpectedly ten and minus a valuable bowler and batsman. The Gents, whom we have never beaten, unsurprisingly chose to bat on a blazing day, though they did very sportingly lend us a sub fielder throughout.

We did begin well. In the third over Tara Thapa induced a thin low nick to Chris Locke – 15/1. Alas Mike Ottley’s three overs went for 21, while Rob Goymer and Tara also suffered as the score hit 55 off 10 overs and 132 off 20. Only Anil Basnet introduced a measure of control, and on the same score in the 21st over got his reward by bowling the surviving opener. But at the other end Maurice Sukul suffered while Mark Hamilton’s tempting leggies induced uppish mishits that failed to find a fielder.

Anil ended his spell with unjust figures of 1-38 and a handshake from Gents’ best batsman, Namilikonda who was on his way to a fine century. But Lal Poonwasie’s loosener was well held at short midwicket by Tim Sturm on 171, and at 213 he claimed a second wicket as Sudireddy was bowled through the Gents’ favourite pull shot. The returning Rob Goymer had Chatharaju again well taken by Tim, this time at long on at 220, and Lal got his third victim bowled on 229. But Namilikonda got his ton having given only one hard chance to long on, and survived a skier back to Tara to post 109 not out and set us 248 to win.

It looked a tough target but at least not the 300 we had feared at one point. Skipper Greg Tremain and Tim Sturm started our reply, but the bowling was tight and in the sixth over Greg on 8 was beaten through the gate trying an offside drive against one that came in on him. That was 14/1 but worse followed two overs later as Tim Sturm called for a single to mid off only to find Lal unmoved as non-striker. Tim’s run out for 1 left us 15/2.

Lal did atone, hitting a classy 38 off 40 balls as he and Tara Thapa put on 64 before Lal was stumped by a quick- thinking keeper who beat his slow turn back to the crease. We were 79/3 in the 20th, which became 86/4 in the 22nd as Mike Ottley was bowled for a duck. Tara Thapa and Anil Basnet set briskly about chasing a by now impossible 13 an over, nigh on doubling our score as Tara reached a well-deserved fifty in 48 balls and ended with 72 not out (63), while Anil was out in the final over for 32 (37).

Winchmore Hill Tigers v Gentlemen of West London

Sunday 1 September, Paulin Ground. Gents won toss. Sunny, 21C

Lost by 3 wickets

Gentlemen of West London Winchmore Hill Tigers Kumar c Warren b Lloyd-Barnes 16 Ward c Sudireddy b Krishna 11 Basker b Gautum 0 †Boden c and b Dubey 25 Kota c Boden b Sikander 4 Burgess b Kumar 0 Gulati lbw b Warren 52 Greenham c Dubey b Krishna 43 Namilikonda lbw b Webster 33 Nawagamuwa b Krishna 28 †Sudireddy c Wright b Warren 13 Sikander b Chatharaju 14 Chatharaju c Nawagamuwa b Webster 12 Wright not out 30 Dubey lbw b Warren 9 Lloyd-Barnes b Gulati 11 Krishna run out 10 *Webster not out 18 Caveney not out 23 Warren and Gautum dnb *S. Patel dnb Extras lb7 w17 nb2 26 Extras b1 lb4 w13 nb1 19 Total 9 wickets 40 overs 198 Total 7 wickets 38.1 overs 199 FoW: 12, 24, 77, 103, 123, 138, 151, 166, 198 FoW: 17, 22, 48, 115, 130, 146, 177 Bowling: Lloyd-Barnes 5-0-29-1, Gautum 8-0-48-1, Sikander 8-2-29-1, Bowling: Kumar 8-1-24-1, Krishna 8-2-22-3, Namilikonda 5-0-38-0, Warren 8-0-41-3, Webster 8-2-33-2, Wright 3-0-11-0 Dubey 6.1-0-38-1, Gulati 8-0-40-1, Kota 2-0-19-0, Chatharaju 1-0-13-1

Tigers chased down the Gents’ 198, not without a few alarms but ultimately with conviction, winning with three wickets and 11 balls to spare after scoring 150 runs in 20.1 overs. Late blasts from captain Webster and his lower middle order were decisive. Although the fielding and support bowling were poor, the Gents did some things right and put body and soul into the game, but did not always engage their brains when it mattered.

In a powerful statement of continuity, the Gents returned here with an identical side to the year before’s. Tigers brought back five: Boden, Burgess, Greenham, Warren and Webster. Basker, briefly sockless but trousered, and Namilikonda, cavorting in his smalls on the verandah, both copped a wigging from the stroppy groundsman for dress code violations but the punctuality at this outreach ground was commendable.

After a nervous opening over from Lloyd-Barnes the visitors lost Basker and Kota early. Kumar held the fort and Gulati struck 10 fours in his 52. Namilikonda sprinted out of the traps with 14 off Warren’s first over, but a talented middle order could not progress to the big numbers needed on a true pitch and a fast outfield. From 101/3 off 20, only 65 came in 15 as the innings stalled, but in the final five Krishna and Caveney gave the Gents hope with a rattling stand, Caveney taking three fours off the last over.

After a tea that included the stalest sausage rolls and sandwiches in the history of European catering, and strange cakes, battle resumed at half past four. Kumar and Krishna were outstanding with the ball, reducing Tigers to 23/2 after 12. There was muttering from the sidelines about the scoring rate, but the conjunction of Webster’s powerful middle order and the visitors’ support bowlers would restore the Tigers’ hopes. Drinks were taken with Tigers 67/3 off 20, the required run rate 6.6.

Sanjay Patel said after the game that he could predict how a bowler’s spell would go after one ball. Sadly for him, bowlers three to six could not perform the necessary strangulation. Greenham impressed as he did in 2018 and had good support from Nawagamuwa and Sikander. The bowling became ragged and the fielding worse, back to the dismal level of early 2018, with balls going through legs, dropped catches, and a heinous refusal when the guilty man ducked out of the way.

The returning Krishna took two more wickets: the Gents were back in the hunt. But Wright, Lloyd- Barnes and Webster managed the game perfectly, runs coming in a torrent to see the hosts home. Not for a week shy of 11 years (11 games) had the Gents lost to West XI or their metamorphs Judd Street Tigers and Winchmore Hill Tigers. Hemin and Sanjay Patel remember that dank Beckenham September vividly. Only four opponents (Northfields, who did it twice, Close PF, Judd Street Tigers in a tie and London Owls) have successfully chased a higher Gents’ score. Well played, Tigers.

Gentlemen of West London v Squirrels

Saturday 7 September, Haydons Road RG. Toss agreed. Sunny, 17C

Won by 41 runs

Gentlemen of West London Squirrels *H. Patel c Glavina b Moore 4 †Carey st Sudireddy b H. Patel 56 Krishna c Carey b Glavina 27 Holmes b Chatharaju 4 Small c Holmes b Glavina 61 Chalamalasetti b Chatharaju 10 Kota b Chalamalasetti 15 Moore c Small b Krishna 56 Basker c Glavina b Krishna 20 Clapson (1) c Small b H. Patel 0 Newcombe not out 26 Barnard lbw b H. Patel 0 Caveney c Holmes b Barnard 10 Simpson st Sudireddy b H. Patel 5 †Sudireddy not out 5 *Glavina c Newcombe b Kota 2 Chatharaju and Namilikonda dnb Rushforth not out 3 Clapson (2) c sub. (Chal’setti) b Kota 3 Extras w10 nb2 12 Extras Total 6 wickets 35 overs 180 Total All out 29.1 overs 139 FoW: 19, 71, 103, 136, 139, 162 FoW: 20, 42, 95, 95, 97, 127, 131, 135, 139 Bowling: Holmes 4-1-20-0, Moore 4-0-22-1, Barnard 6-0-26-1, Bowling: Namilikonda 4-0-37-0, Chatharaju 5-0-30-2, Small 3-0-15-0, Simpson 5-0-36-0, Glavina 5-0-18-2, Chalamalasetti 6-1-29-1, H. Patel 7-1-22-4, Krishna 7-0-28-1, Kota 2.1-0-4-2, Rushforth 2-0-11-0, Krishna 3-0-18-1 Newcombe 1-0-3-0

In his first game since May 2017, Small’s 61 was instrumental in setting Squirrels a stiff target. When after 15 overs their total stood at a giddy 95/2, they were favourites to win but a brilliant stumping proved the turning point. H. Patel smelled blood and the win was confirmed at 14 minutes to five. Neither ’keeper conceded a bye and the Gents shed no other extras. H. Patel got his decisions bang on.

The pretty Haydons Road RG, one of the few pitches available in London, offered a typical LB Merton pitch: true with good pace and a little turn. Squirrels play rarely but are a very competent side and their spinners would revel in the conditions. They were short so Chalamalasetti, brought along by the always supportive Basker, was lent. It was also agreed that Krishna would bowl for them though the captain claimed not to have been party to this decision and proceeded to utter doubtful language.

They struck early to remove Patel pushing to silly mid off, a position that would later prove useful to the hosts. Krishna played some glorious shots while Small was soon back to his form of 2015. It was a keen contest. Small glued the innings together for 26 overs, striking eight fours. There were steady contributions elsewhere, Basker and Newcombe batting most attractively. Squirrels had taken some good catches and honours were even as Domino’s pizzas were munched at tea.

Carey took an instant like to the bowling of Namilikonda, taking him for four fours and a six. Chatharaju bowled Holmes in the fourth over and guest Chalamalasetti in the sixth. Moore was now at the crease and while he and Carey were together runs continued to come quickly, 53 in 57 balls. The Gents were quiet, seemingly powerless to stop the onslaught.

Patel brought himself on and it changed the game. Off his twelfth ball he had Carey superbly stumped by Sudireddy. Two balls later and Clapson clipped to silly mid off Small who took a sharp catch. He then pinned Barnard lbw, 97/6. Moore was now batting beautifully and found good support in Simpson, who was stumped on 127. Krishna was bowling metronomically well and in his sixth over had Moore caught by Small running round at long off resulting in a broken finger and a visit to St George’s A&E. Kota cleaned up the innings having Glavina caught off a switch-hit by a jubilant Newcombe and Clapson, batting twice, caught, again at silly mid off by substitute fielder Chalamalasetti.

Master of Fines Newcombe, so wrapped up in his duties that he even ignored the fortunes of his beloved Cheltenham Town FC, was utterly ruthless. Like Robert Mugabe, he morphed into an evil dictator. Unlike the genocidal African, he did not preside over economic mismanagement. Nothing could stop him. Basker’s fine for red trainers and Small’s for bleeding on club kit were two of the more printable offences. The club raised £270 for Sue Ryder Hospices in memory of Tracey Snelling. Thanks to Squirrels for supplementing the pot and being good company before, during and after the match.

Salix v Gentlemen of West London

Sunday 15 September, Chiswick House. Salix won toss. Sunny, 25C

Won by 9 wickets

Salix Gentlemen of West London Sadhra b Krishna 0 Kota not out 81 *Ilangakoon b Pentakota 27 Namilikonda c and b Sadhra 24 Winston b Pentakota 0 Francis not out 33 Henig b Pentakota 4 †Sudireddy, Caveney, Chatharaju, Pentakota, Kumar, Dubey, Krishna, †Juma b Kumar 78 H. Patel and *S. Patel dnb Somani b Pentakota 11 Subramaniam c Sudireddy b H. Patel 7 Sarif c Sudireddy b H. Patel 0 Dean b H. Patel 3 Spillane c Sudireddy b H. Patel 1 Collins not out 5 Extras w2 lb7 9 Extras w11 11 Total All out 33.1 overs 145 Total 1 wicket 20.4 overs 149 FoW: 0, 15, 23, 36, 52, 85, 85, 102, 114, 145 FoW: 60 Bowling: Krishna 5-0-35-1, Pentakota 7-1-15-4, Kumar 6.1-0-31-1, Bowling: Subramaniam 4-0-42-0, Somani 3-0-26-0, Sadhra 7-1-35-1, Chatharaju 7-1-21-0, H. Patel 6-0-26-4, Dubey 2-0-10-0 Ilangakoon 4-0-17-0, Unadkat 2.4-0-29-0

Well may Salix study the scorebook with such perplexed expressions after these events, Gents winning with nine wickets and 85 balls in hand on a grim afternoon for the hosts. They were undone by excellent seam bowling from the almost unplayable Raja Pentakota and some subtle off breaks from Hemin Patel, greatly assisted by Sudireddy, then subject to blitzkrieg from Kota, Namilikonda and Francis. The game ended at 14 minutes to five.

Patel’s four-wicket haul was his 17th, the first coming against London Owls in August 2006. It was surprisingly Pentakota’s first, such a good contributor has he been over the years.

In 2018 Salix chased down Gents’ 184/7 with brilliant innings from Ilangakoon and Juma. They are if you like key men to get. In their differing ways they batted very well, but the Gents took the other wickets almost at will.

Like the Gents, Salix are much changed from the early years of the rubber. The madcap ginger Lumsden, whose party piece was threatening to lock opponents in the dressing room until they paid the match fee, and Kulasingam play rarely. Padmore has moved to Leeds. Even Fletcher was absent, abroad in East Anglia. But the current lot are just as sociable and the teams always get on.

Chiswick House is s sumptuous venue but at £300 a pop it should be. The only problem with it is the entitled dogwalkers some of whom, being twats, lack the basic courtesy to clear up after their pooches.

The fun started three balls in when Krishna had Sadhra leg-before on the back foot. Within a few overs two separate games were being played. Ilangakoon, who had scored 175 not out a week before, was striking fours at will (three in three balls off Krishna’s bowling from the Park Road End) while from the Obelisk End Pentakota was swinging the ball in several feet. The eminent chess player bowled Winston, Henig then Ilangakoon. When he castled Somani it was 52/5 after 12 overs and he had his four.

Chatharaju and Kumar bowled well but the introduction of H. Patel in the 19th over was decisive. Sudireddy caught three off him; a regulation edge and two low ones down the leg side, stout work from a man whose cricket gets better by the week. Patel therefore had two four-wicket hauls in two games.

Juma was batting steadily and went on to dominate the innings, hitting 12 fours in a stay of 27 overs. He was dropped on 39, 53 and 55 but deserved this good fortune for his clean strokeplay, mainly straight and to leg, though going to his 50 with a switch hit was no example to any spectating schoolboy. He farmed the strike cleverly in the final overs. Salix recovered rather well and the injured Collins, who batted in place of the delayed Unadkat, showed guts and determination as 60 came up for the last three wickets. The returning Kumar finally bowled Juma.

The excellence of the tea, which showcased a home-made Victoria sponge cake and cheese doorsteps the height of a Himalayan peak, was no surprise for Salix host well. But nothing is simple within the bosom of the Gents and H. Patel denounced the absence of chilli sauce. Putting this disappointing moment behind him, he then had a stormer. In a splendid example of multitasking, he decamped after his bowling spell to man the electronic scoreboard, working closely with the scorer to ensure accuracy, while simultaneously conducting a series of dubious conversations with his pals. Splendid work.

Kota had never opened for the Gents before. Namilikonda had. The returning Francis (and how good it was to see him back) was No.3. In essence, they smashed it, ascending to 30/0 off only three overs and 60/0 off seven. After a false start when he edged his first scoring shot for four past slip, Kota was faultless. Cricketers thrive on confidence. The maestro had had a series of low scores but sensing this was his day fours, and later on sixes, then came all over the ground.

Unadkat had now arrived from Stansted Airport, updates on his progress providing great entertainment to his team-mates: in the Customs Hall, on a train, at Tottenham Hale, be there in an hour, etc. Krishna sub. fielded gamely until his arrival, though he was subject to regrettable guffaws after a mild fielding mishap gleefully photographed by Pentakota.

Namilikonda top-edged for a well-judged caught and bowled by Sadhra. Enter Francis, who appeared to have recovered well from injury and batted with freedom. He and Kota put up 89 in 80 balls, Kota winning the match with a six and two fours off Unadkat’s third over. He hit 13 fours and two sixes. It was his 17th score of 50 or more, level with Jim Wright.

Only nine games have been decided by this margin in the 594 played and only two in the last ten seasons. Salix were perfect gentlemen all day and after the game requested two matches in 2020. Thanks and commiserations are due to them in equal measure. Thanks for good fellowship and commiserations for having suffered one of those days when nothing went right.

Crossbats v Gentlemen of West London

Saturday 21 September, Marble Hill Park. Crossbats won toss. Sunny, 25C

Won by 114 runs

Gentlemen of West London Crossbats Basker c Shafi b Gumbley 11 †Masini c S. Patel b Newcombe 45 Newcombe b Srikanth 37 Kitson b Krishna 15 Chatharaju b A. Skinner 19 Shafri c Francis b Chatharaju 0 †Sudireddy lbw b Gumbley 8 *McAlpine c Francis b Chatharaju 9 H. Patel b Snowball 40 Snowball b Kota 32 *S. Patel c A. Skinner b Gray 70 Venkat not out 41 Kota c McAlpine b A. Skinner 25 A. Skinner c Krishna b Sirikonda 21 Namilikonda not out 61 Srikanth not out 3 Krishna not out 1 Griffith, Gumbley and Gray dnb Francis, Puli and Sirikonda dnb Extras w18 nb3 b4 lb6 31 Extras w17 nb1 b2 lb3 23 Total 7 wickets 35 overs 303 Total 6 wickets 35 overs 189 FoW: 13, 38, 52, 128, 141, 205, 288 FoW: 35, 36, 57, 85, 138, 181 Bowling: A. Skinner 7-1-47-2, Gumbley 7-0-35-2, Gray 6-0-50-1, Bowling: Krishna 4-0-17-1, Chatharaju 7-0-44-2, Griffith 3-0-22-0, Srikanth 4-0-30-1, Snowball 4-0-46-1, Namilikonda 7-0-36-0, Newcombe 4-0-19-1, H. Patel 4-0-17-0, McAlpine 3-0-47-0, Kitson 1-0-16-0 Kota 4-0-28-1, Sirikonda 3-0-12-1, Puli 2-0-11-0

Newcombe, Chatharaju and H. Patel laid solid foundations before S. Patel, with his 30th 50 to set alongside a ton, Kota and Namilikonda blasted the Gents into an unassailable position with 134 runs coming off the last 10 overs. Crossbats batted soundly in reply but were unable to find such acceleration.

On a hot day with a south-easterly wind providing little relief, Gents were surprisingly inserted on a true artificial strip. Basker fell in the fourth over, Chatharaju in the seventh and Sudireddy in the tenth, but Newcombe, who batted for 23 overs, and H. Patel sensibly added 76 in 12. Catches were dropped so the batsmen did not have it all their own way but they set up a perfect platform for the high jinks.

S. Patel’s first nine scoring shots all went for four as he hit 70 in 54 minutes with 14 fours. Kota went briefly berserk and Namilikonda smashed his 50 off only 21 balls, going on to hit ten fours and a six. There were 49 fours and three sixes in the 35 overs. The spinner Gumbley carded Pace sensation Sirikonda respectable figures but it was hard work for the rest.

Crossbats have a big squad but were touring Montenegro over the weekend, so did well to honour the fixture. Fine work Lord McAlpine. Glovesman Masini, a skilled batsman, Snowball and Venkatachalapathy scored freely as the Gents used eight bowlers with Krishna, Newcombe and Sirikonda the pick. Two excellent catches by Francis at gully gave Chatharaju his wickets. Much effort had gone into arranging two teams for the weekend but the apple cart was upset when Chatharaju pitched up with his nephew just over from India, visiting student Srikanth Sirikonda, who was keen for a game. That was how Praveen Bocha started. His unexpected arrival was interpreted by the skipper as an opportunity and McAlpine kindly let him play. My word, what a bowler and what an action, and a deserved wicket to boot.

Crossbats are good people and generous hosts. After the match the teams convened in the garden of the Crown, where the thermometer registered 15C higher than after the April match. Crossbats kindly supplied jugs of beer. There was much lively conversation but a game on the morrow loomed so an early night was the order of the day.

Hale v Gentlemen of West London

Sunday 22 September, Hale Common. Hale won toss. Showery, 21C

Won by 76 runs

Gentlemen of West London Hale Kota b Jones 72 Delaney c Kota b Sirikonda 13 Krishna c Chaudhry b Gourav 3 Knowles c Namilikonda b Chatharaju 54 Francis b Jones 28 †Giles lbw b Chatharaju 22 Gulati b Datrim 6 Chaudhry not out 7 R. Patel b Giles 17 Datrim not out 0 Caveney run out 1 Punchard, Gourav, Jones, *†Weaver, McLeod and Davies dnb Pentakota not out 29 Chatharaju st Weaver b Giles 6 Namilikonda b Gourav 10 †Sudireddy b Gourav 7 *Dubey not out 0 Sirikonda dnb Extras w1 b6 lb1 8 Extras w6 nb1 b6 lb2 15 Total 9 wickets 30 overs 187 Total 3 wickets 30 overs 111 FoW: 28, 105, 110, 122, 133, 141, 147, 170, 182 FoW: 51, 89, 111 Bowling: Gourav 7-1-28-3, Davies 7-0-52-0, Datrim 6-0-36-1, Bowling: Gulati 5-2-10-0, Namilikonda 5-0-14-0, Sirikonda 5-1-10-1, Jones 6-0-39-2, Giles 4-0-25-2 R. Patel 5-0-25-0, Krishna 3-0-17-0, Kota 1-0-11-0, Chatharaju 4-1-12-2, Dubey 1-1-0-0, Francis 1-0-4-0

In a game reduced mid-match to 30 overs, Gents’ 187 was enough for victory as Hale struggled on a wet, seaming pitch. The weather as predicted changed overnight. It was muggy in the morning (21C at 11am) but the forecast rain set in and the game was briefly in doubt. But the puddles drained fast through 30 feet of sand under the hilltop wicket and after a delay of 15 minutes we were away. Seven players returned from the previous day and the captain and 2-i-c provided effervescent support. Hale had their usual mixture of veterans and Saturday club players from Crown Taverners and Raja Pentakota’s Old Basing.

Though Krishna was caught at gully Kota was in control (he would strike nine fours and a six to grab his sixth fifth 50 of 2019) and Francis struck elegant fours past backward point and through the covers. But at 14.5 overs, Gents 87/1, there was a heavy shower of 30 minutes so an early tea was taken in the village hall. The captains shaved the overs to 30. Dubey knew that with the innings half done this might work against him but he trusted his batsmen and was vindicated. In any event to have played much after half past six would been intolerable (the game finished fifteen minutes earlier).

The pitch, previously true and placid, then became very lively and wickets fell quickly, but with fewer overs there was no point in hanging about. Pentakota batted with typical determination – “I love batting” he grinned later –- to ensure that the overs were used up, while there was brief but spectacular smiting at the other end, Chatharaju’s six, dot, stumped cameo being typical. Caveney was unfortunately run out but R. Patel, undone by a corking off break, and Namilikonda made double figures. Hale had bowled well though the veteran Davies was not as effective as usual. Kota and Namilikonda ended 2019 with 674 and 597 runs.

Crown Taverners’ openers Delaney and Knowles showed fine technique as Gulati, Namilikonda, the fast Sirikonda and R. Patel got the ball to seam and lift. It was cricket of high quality as the openers got in line and defended bravely taking ones, twos and the occasional boundary where they could. Sirikonda broke the stand with his slower ball, lifted by Delaney to Kota at deep mid on. Knowles had hit a six and seven fours before he edged Chatharaju to a diving Namilikonda at fly slip, wise field placement by the astute Dubey, who captained with wisdom. Chatharaju then got his second, Giles pinned lbw in the final over. It is rare to be defeated after only losing three wickets but such was Hale’s fate.

Seven Gents played both days, so it was a tired team who celebrated a long season with Hale in the curious but welcoming Shepherd and Flock after the match. Thus ended the first non-touring double header since 2007, when Gents played Enterprise and London Owls. Thanks to Hale for hosting well and how good it is to see that they are still playing, despite false rumours to the contrary that seem to have emanated from a clubhouse a few miles down the M3.

Battle Royale We had a battle royale among the bowlers. Who would take most wickets? Entering the final weekend, Namilikonda, wicketless since QMC Pak on 4 August, and H. Patel, with eight in his last two games, were level on 25 with Chatharaju poised menacingly only four behind. The battle went to the last over of the season.

On the Saturday Namilikonda bowled seven overs and Patel four. Neither took a wicket. But Chatharaju dismissed Shafri and McAlpine caught Francis to take him up to 23, two behind the joint leaders. Patel would not play on the morrow so Chatharaju needed to take three more wickets than Namilikonda to win, or two more to tie.

My word, Namilikonda’s fearsome spell against Hale deserved a wicket or two, but it was not to be. Wickets were at a premium. Enter Chatharaju in the 24th over at ten to six after Namilikonda had finished. His first ball, an edge and who should take the catch diving to his right but Namilikonda! Twenty-two minutes later, with five balls of the season left, the ball thumped into Giles’s pads. A loud appeal and umpire Delaney raised his right finger. So it ended in a magnificent three-way tie on 25 between the three. Poor Namilikonda had carded 32-1-183-0 since his last wicket but had his compensations elsewhere. This was not the first tie on wickets between bowlers (see Note) but was the first triple.

R. Chatharaju S. Namilikonda H. Patel 30 Wickets by game 2019 25

20

15

10

5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 -

The Battle had lasted 162 days, one fewer than the Battle of Stalingrad (23.8.1942 – 2.8.1943), reckoned by historians to be the most important of the past 100 years. Stalingrad saved Western civilisation, but the cavortings of two Gents seamers and one spinner were no less worthy.

Note: Alderman and Ashton took 13 wickets each in 1990, Buck and S. Patel 21 in 2004 and Husain and H. Patel 20 in 2006.

Old Tens, Wycombe House down. Tavs up It was a tough year for our landlords, with the first XIs of Old Tenisonians and Wycombe House both relegated. Wycombe House’s batting was fragile, and scores of 36, 37 and 43 all out epitomised their struggle. After relegation had been confirmed, with the shackles off, they scored 345 in a 40 over friendly at prospective 2020 Gents oppo Binfield, where the Snellings now play. Our old friend Mehfooz Khan scored a brutal 112. Good luck to them in 2020. It was better news for Crown Taverners. Needing a big win at Aldershot on the final Saturday to hold off the challenge of Whitchurch and Kingsclere to claim the title, Carl Delaney and Greg Newcombe’s sparring partner Dan Bowles both hit 80s as Taverners racked up 262/3. Aldershot were skittled for 50 to give Taverners the full 24 points they needed.

2019 scorecards 13/4 Marble Hill Park Crossbats 167-4 (McAlpine 68, S. Skinner 51, Wright 20) Won by 5 wickets Gents 170-5 (Kota 57, Basker 55, Sudireddy 33*, Ross 4-18) 21/4 Byfleet Byfleet 161-9 (Akhtar 57, Fahey 28, Mangineni 4-16) Won by 4 wickets Gents 164-6 (Namilikonda 56, Sudireddy 28*, Kota 20) 28/4 Cavendish RG Gents 138 (Dubey 45, Neal 3-22) Gubbays 109 (Aryuat 25, Namilikonda 4-17, Pentakota 3-10) Won by 29 runs 5/5 Hilly Fields Millfields 103 (Collis 66*, Cordell 20, H. Patel 4-29, Kumar 3-31) Gents 82 (C. Cooper 3-8) Lost by 21 runs 12/5 Old Tenisonians Gents 201-7 (Kota 93*, Namilikonda 28, Dubey 20, Hasan 3-41) Won by 70 runs Wimbledon United 131 (Patel 40) 19/5 Old Tenisonians Gents 182-9 (Gulati 43*, Pentakota 41, S. Patel 20, Walsh 4-19) Lost by 4 wickets Kempton 186-6 (Little 108*, Newman 31) 26/5 CSSC Chiswick Northfields 152-9 (Ismail 42, Paynter 28, H. Patel 3-20, Namilikonda 3-25) Won by 8 wickets Gents 156-2 (R. Patel 50*, Basker 34, Namilikonda 32, Kota 26*) 2/6 Wycombe House Gents 313-6 (Gulati 102*, Z. Ahmed 53*, Shaikh 44, Kumar 34*, Badar 3-43) Won by 189 runs Brentham 124-8 (Vinay 43, Ankit 29, H. Patel 3-10) 9/6 Old Tenisonians Gents 242-5 (Kota 88*, Sudireddy 52*, Gulati 48) Won by 152 runs Plastics 90 (Morgan-Grenville 46, Namilikonda 4-4, Chatharaju 3-11) 16/6 Crown Taverners Gents 179-7 (Kota 79, Namilikonda 35, Sudireddy 30, Duffy 3-20) Won by 116 runs Crown Taverners 63 (Hayhoe 25, Namilikonda 3-17) 22/6 Ealing Central SG St Anne’s Allstars 178-3 (Pereira 66*, Chaudhry 61, Rattan 24) Lost by 25 runs Gents 153 (H. Patel 46, Sudireddy 29, Rattan 4-16, Silmon 3-24) 30/6 Teddington Town Gents 181 (S. Patel 57*, Namilikonda 50, Poulter 42, Naseri 4-26, Walsh 3-44) Won by 70 runs Teddington Town 111 (Dobani 39, Poulter 3-18) 7/7 Wycombe House Gents 207 (A. Ahmed 40, Z. Ahmed 32, Kota 28, Francis 24, Chatharaju 21, Nick 3-37, Won by 69 runs Daniel 3-38) Whalers 138 (Humphreys 32, Kieran 31, Dillen 24, Kota 5-8, Dubey 3-25) 14/7 Cottenham Park Gents 233-6 (A. Ahmed 72*, Francis 38, Kumar 20*) West London 125 (Shelby 36, Kumar 5-20) Won by 108 runs 21/7 Old Tenisonians Gents 199-8 (Kumar 60, Namilikonda 53, Cooper 4-39) Won by 19 runs Battersea Eagles 180 (Karan 60, Harris 43, Chatharaju 4-42, Kumar 3-3) 4/8 Old Tenisonians Gents 185-5 (Chatharaju 57*, H. Patel 28, Namilikonda 26, Gulati 21*, D. Khan 3-32) Won by 25 runs Pak 160 (H. Khan 70, D. Khan 20, H. Patel 4-28) 11/8 Wycombe House Gents 246 (Gulati 59, Reddy 42, Chatharaju 38, Kumar 36, Kent 3-27) Won by 67 runs Northfields 179-7 (David Redhead 67*, Derrick Redhead 28, Garner 20*) 18/8 Old Tenisonians Clapham In 177-6 (Ferreira 59, Plaja 57, Curtis 22, Shinner 20) Lost by 49 runs Gents 128 (Sudireddy 36, Namilikonda 24, Bage 3-17) 25/8 Abbey RG Gents 247-6 (Namilikonda 109*, Kumar 68, Kota 20, Poonwasie 3-36) Won by 77 runs Bricklayer’s Arms 170-5 (Thapa 70*, Poonwasie 38, Basnet 32) 1/9 Paulin Ground Gents 198-9 (Gulati 52, Namilikonda 33, Caveney 23*, Warren 3-41) Lost by 3 wickets Winchmore Hill Tigers 199-7 (Greenham 43, Wright 30*, Nawagamuwa 28, Boden 25) 7/9 Haydons Road Gents 180-6 (Small 61, Krishna 27, Newcombe 26*, Basker 20) Won by 41 runs Squirrels 139 (Carey 56, Moore 56, H. Patel 4-22) 15/9 Chiswick House Salix 145 (Juma 78, Ilangakoon 27, Pentakota 4-15, H. Patel 4-26) Won by 9 wickets Gents 149-1 (Kota 81*, Francis 33*, Namilikonda 24) 21/9 Marble Hill Park Gents 303-7 (S. Patel 70, Namilikonda 61*, H. Patel 40, Newcombe 37, Kota 25) Won by 114 runs Crossbats 189-6 (Masini 45, Venkatapalapathy 41*, Snowball 32, A. Skinner 21) 22/9 Hale Common Gents 187-9 (Kota 72, Pentakota 29*, Francis 28, Gourav 3-28) Hale 111-3 (Knowles 54, Giles 22) Won by 76 runs

Oppo XI of the year 1. McAlpine (Crossbats) 2. Akhtar (Byfleet) 3. †Carey (Squirrels) 4. H. Khan (QMC Pak) 5. Greenham (Winchmore Hill Tigers) 6. Thapa (Bricklayer’s Arm) 7. Morgan-Grenville (Plastics) 8. Rattan (St Anne’s Allstars) 9. *Kerai (Brentham) 10. Kent (Northfields) 11. Bage (Clapham In)

A talented XI will take the field under the captaincy of Brentham’s young Krushna Kerai. His 949 runs for Battersea Eagles merited Khalid Harris’s inclusion but he was selected in 2018.

Goalkeeper Hamish McAlpine was a European Cup semi-finalist with Dundee United in 1984. They were conned out of a final appearance when the French referee, Michel Vautrot, was given a £50,000 bribe by the Roma board to ensure that their side progressed. It is our pious hope that selection in this team of his nephew Mark will ensure that the name of the sporting clan McAlpine lives on.

Date Gents Result W. Hill Tigers Result Sat 13 April Crossbats Won by 5 wickets - - Sun 21 April Byfleet Won by 4 wickets - - Sun 28 April Gubbays Won by 29 runs Harrowdene Lost by 13 runs Sun 5 May Millfields Lost by 21 runs Gubbays Lost by 6 wickets Sat 11 May - - Porto Lost by 5 wickets Sun 12 May Wimbledon United Won by 70 runs Porto Tied Sun 19 May Kempton Lost by 4 wickets Shakespeare Lost by 5 wickets Sun 26 May Northfields Won by 8 wickets N2 Casuals Drawn Sun 2 June Brentham Won by 189 runs Little Berkhamsted Lost by 6 wickets Sun 9 June Plastics Won by 152 runs SLOBS Won by 28 runs Sun 16 June Crown Taverners Won by 116 runs Railway Taverners Won by 6 wickets Sat 22 June St Anne’s Allstars Lost by 25 runs Twinstead Cancelled Sun 23 June - - Easton Drawn Sun 30 June Teddington Town Won by 70 runs Motley Crew Won by 6 wickets Sun 7 July Whalers Won by 69 runs Cincinnati Lost by 4 wickets Sun 14 July West London Won by 108 runs Harringay Libraries Won by 3 wickets Sun 21 July Battersea Eagles Won by 19 runs - - Sun 28 July Bricklayer’s Arms Cancelled (rain) Spartans Lost by 28 runs Sun 4 August QMC Pak Won by 25 runs Wealdstone Corinthians Won by 100 runs Sun 11 August Northfields Won by 67 runs Plastics Lost by 8 wickets Sun 18 August Clapham In Lost by 49 runs Potter Street Cancelled Sun 25 August Bricklayer’s Arms Won by 77 runs Railway Taverners Lost by 6 wickets Sun 1 Sept Winchmore Hill Tigers Lost by 3 wickets Gentlemen of West London Won by 3 wickets Sat 7 Sept Squirrels Won by 41 runs - - Sun 8 Sept - - Mayfield Won by 5 wickets Sun 15 Sept Salix Won by 9 wickets Graces Lost by 14 runs Sat 21 Sept Crossbats Won by 114 runs - - Sun 22 Sept Hale Won by 76 runs Fives Lost by 89 runs Sat 28 Sept - - Railway Taverners Won by 3 wickets Record Played 24 Won 19 Lost 5 Played 22 Won 8 Lost 11 Drawn 2 Tied 1 Runs Kota 674, Namilikonda 597, Gulati 367, Sudireddy 339, J. Ranger 507, Greenham 438, Wright 345, Ward 322, Kumar 262, Chatharaju 228, S. Patel 167, Dubey 164, Lloyd-Barnes 226, Nawagumuwa 219, Warren 218, H. Patel 163, Basker 148, Francis 139, A. Ahmed 120, M. Webster 182, Dane 178, Sikander 116, J. Webster 109, Pentakota 100 Jhangiani 105, Blundell 100 Wickets Chatharaju 25, Namilikonda 25, H. Patel 25, Kota 18, M. Webster 30, Lloyd-Barnes 17, Warren 15, Wright 15, Kumar 18, Krishna 12, Dubey 11 Gautum 12, Jhangiani 11 Catches/Stumpings Namilikonda 16/3, Sudireddy 12/4, Dubey 8, Kota 8, J. Ranger 9 Warren 9, Parr 6, Wright 6, M. Webster 5 S. Patel 7, Gulati 6

Averages Player (*debut) M. Inn. NO Runs Avg. Ct./St. O M Runs Wck. Avg. A. Ahmed 5 5 1 120 30.00 1 - - - - - *Z. Ahmed 2 2 1 85 85.00 - 1 0 1 2 0.50 Basker 9 9 1 148 18.50 1/3 2 0 28 0 - Caveney 14 12 2 89 8.90 1 0.3 0 4 0 - Chatharaju 23 18 2 228 14.25 1 112.3 11 484 25 19.36 *Corbett 5 4 - 26 6.50 ------Dubey 16 13 3 164 16.40 8 65.1 6 235 11 21.36 Francis 7 6 1 139 27.80 3 1 0 4 0 - Gulati 13 11 3 367 45.88 6 62 5 277 8 34.63 Khan 3 2 1 10 10.00 1 13 2 55 3 18.33 Kota 22 22 4 674 37.44 8 60.1 2 336 18 18.67 Krishna 14 9 1 62 7.75 2 72 8 279 12 23.25 Kumar 13 10 1 262 29.11 2 79.1 9 270 18 15.00 Namilikonda 22 20 2 597 33.17 16/3 99 6 429 25 17.16 Newcombe 5 5 3 92 46.00 1 11 2 32 4 8.00 H. Patel 17 12 2 163 16.30 2 75 7 303 25 12.12 R. Patel 2 2 1 67 67.00 1 13 0 48 1 48.00 S. Patel 20 9 3 167 27.83 7 29.1 1 167 2 83.50 *Pavithran 2 2 1 2 2.00 - 3 0 13 2 6.50 Pentakota 6 4 1 100 33.33 - 34 3 124 7 17.71 Puli 5 3 - 23 7.67 1 2 0 11 0 - *Sirikonda 2 - - - - - 8 1 22 2 11.00 Sudireddy 22 21 5 339 21.19 12/4 9 0 47 1 47.00 One match only: *Antoine 1/1/-/0, 3-0-23-0, Bender 1/1/1/5, Bocha 1/1/-/0, (1 ct.), 4-0-23-1, *R. Kumar 1/1/-/1, 1-0-1-0, *Locke 1/1/-/0, *Maddulapalli 1/1/1/2, Mangineni 1/-/-/-, 8-2-16-4, *Mohan 1/1/-/0, Oruganti 1-/-/-/, 5-2-12-1, *Poulter 1/1/-/42, 8-1-18-3, *Reddy 1/1/-/42, 5-1-8-1 (1 ct.), Sciberras 1/1/-/0, 4-0-26-0, *V. Shah 1/-/-/-, 7-0-24-0, Shaikh 1/1/-/44, 3-0-10-0, Small 1/1/-/61, 3-0-15-0 (2 ct.). J. Snelling 1/1/-/6, 7-2-17-1, S. Snelling 1/1/-/10, 7-1-17-1, *Teja 1/-/-/-, 0.1-0-0-1. Sub. Fielder (1 ct.)

The 12 2019 debutants increase the number of players to have represented GWLCC to 387. This number fluctuates during the annual process of data cleansing when it becomes apparent, for example, that a chap has returned after playing once back in 2012, or whenever.

2019 in numbers Highest score for: 313-6 v Brentham Against: 199-7 by Winchmore Hill Tigers Lowest score for: 82 v Millfields Against: 63 by Crown Taverners

Highest partnerships by wicket for: Highest partnerships by wicket against: 1st 89 Namilikonda/Poulter v Teddington Town 1st 104 S. Skinner/McAlpine (Crossbats) 2nd 117 Kumar/Namilikonda v Bricklayer’s Arms 2nd= 66 Collis/Cordell (Millfields), 66 Plaja/Ferreira (Clapham In) 3rd 144 Z. Ahmed/Gulati/Shaikh/Corbett v Brentham 3rd 94 Chaudhry/Pereira (St Anne’s Allstars) 4th 88 Kumar/Namilikonda v Battersea Eagles 4th 67 Greenham/Nawagamuwa (Winchmore Hill Tigers) 5th 110 A. Ahmed/Francis v West London 5th 83 Thapa/Basnet (Bricklayer’s Arms) 6th 87* Kota/Sudireddy v Plastics 6th 51 Akhtar/Fahey (Byfleet) 7th 83 S. Patel/Namilikonda v Crossbats 7th 36 Fahey/R. Hockin (Byfleet) 8th 58* Kota/Newcombe v Wimbledon United 8th 50 David Redhead/Garner/Touboulic (Northfields) 9th 40 Dubey/Krishna v Gubbays 9th 33 Morgan-Grenville/Sunil (Plastics) 10th= 19 S. Snelling/Bender v St Anne’s, 10th 32 Juma/Collins (Salix) 10th= 19 A. Ahmed/S. Patel v Whalers

Other 100 partnerships for (2): 2nd 116 Basker/Kota v Crossbats, 3rd 107 Kota/Gulati v Plastics

50s/100s for (M = first 50 or 100, D = on debut) 50s/100s against 109* Namilikonda v Bricklayer’s Arms 108* Little (Kempton) 102* Gulati v Brentham M 78 Juma (Salix) 93* Kota v Wimbledon United 72 Thapa (Bricklayer’s Arms) 88 Kota v Plastics 70 H. Khan (QMC Pak) 81* Kota v Salix 68 McAlpine (Crossbats) 79 Kota v Crown Taverners 67* David Redhead (Northfields) 72* A. Ahmed v West London 66* Pereira (St Anne’s Allstars) 72 Kota v Hale 62* Collis (Millfields) 70 S. Patel v Crossbats 61 Chaudhry (St Anne’s Allstars) 68 Kumar v Bricklayer’s Arms 60 Karan (Battersea Eagles) 61 Small v Squirrels 59 Ferreira (Clapham In) 61* Namilikonda v Crossbats 57 Akhtar (Byfleet) 60 Kumar v Battersea Eagles 57 Plaja (Clapham In) 59 Gulati v Northfields 56 Carey (Squirrels) 57* Chatharaju v QMC Pak M 56 Moore (Squirrels) 57 Kota v Crossbats 54 Knowles (Hale) 57* S. Patel v Teddington Town 51 S. Skinner (Crossbats) 56 Namilikonda v Byfleet M 55 Basker v Crossbats 53* Z. Ahmed v Brentham MD 53 Namilikonda v Battersea Eagles 52 Gulati v Winchmore Hill Tigers 52* Sudireddy v Plastics M 50 Namilikonda v Teddington Town 50* R. Patel v Northfields

4-wicket returns for (M = first 4 or 5 wickets return) 4-wicket returns against 5-8 Kota v Whalers 4-16 Rattan (St Anne’s Allstars) 5-20 Kumar v West London M 4-18 Ross (Crossbats) 4-4 Namilikonda v Plastics 4-19 Walsh (Kempton) 4-15 Pentakota v Salix M 4-26 Naseri (Teddington Town) 4-16 Mangineni v Byfleet M 4-39 Cooper (Battersea Eagles) 4-17 Namilikonda v Gubbays M 4-22 H. Patel v Squirrels 4-26 H. Patel v Salix 4-28 H. Patel v QMC Pak 4-31 H. Patel v Millfields 4-42 Chatharaju v Battersea Eagles M

Sixes (50): 10 Kota, Sudireddy, 8 Namilikonda, 6 Gulati, 3 Chatharaju, Dubey, Reddy 2 H. Patel, R. Patel, S. Patel 1 Corbett Run outs of opponents (14): 2 Gulati, S. Patel 1 Ahmed, Chatharaju, Francis, Kota, Kumar, H. Patel, Pentakota, Puli, Reddy, Sudireddy

Individual milestones: 1. Snelling took his 400th wicket, H. Patel his 300th and Kumar his 100th 2. Caveney and Dubey made their 100th appearances, Chatharaju, Kota, Krishna and Sudireddy their 50th 3. Z. Ahmed (on debut), Chatharaju, Gulati, Namilikonda and Sudireddy scored their maiden 50s 4. Gulati and Namilikonda scored their maiden 100s 5. Kota and Kumar took their first five-wicket returns 6. Chatharaju, Kumar, Mangineni, Namilikonda and Pentakota took their first four-wicket returns 7. Namilikonda caught 16 and stumped three, beating the records for both catches and fielding dismissals in a season, previously held by S. Desai who in 2010 caught 13 and stumped 4. Sudireddy went third on this list with 12 catches and 4 stumpings 8. Z. Ahmed became the 9th player to score a 50/100 on debut