Ate The Como Courier Edition 4 November 2012 South Yarra Cricket Club (The Yarras) Como Park, corner of One month in Williams Road and Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra It’s hard to believe, I know, On the field, things have are doing a magnificent job www.yarras.com but we are already one been a bit up and down, in trying to run training month through the season. with the lower grades in sessions so far, and it is Established: 1866 (?) particular struggling with great to see everyone President: David Hill And what have we learnt the bat. following their instructions. Editor: James Dixon about the season to date? The training decks are also There have been some in good condition and in [email protected] Probably not a lot to be obvious individual stand- regular use, which helps honest, other than out performances to date our cause. Melbourne is definitely not though, and we will the best place to be playing highlight these within the Speaking of new faces, it is cricket if you want to make pages of this newsletter. good to see our relationship sure you play every single with Sport Lived weekend during the One of the most blossoming, and I for one Summer. encouraging signs of our am particularly happy to Keep watching this pre-season was the hear so many English space - Upcoming As we all know, there has unbelievable level of accents at training each Milestones been significant frustration attendance at training and week (even if some of them so far this season, both as a the significant smattering are Southern accents!). Batting result of the weather and as of new faces within the Robert Fisher – 87 a result of the state of the crowds in the nets. Let’s make sure we make runs Como West square. all our new faces welcome Pasquale Scrimizzi – It is good to see that this down at Como and 1,498 runs However, in both respects has continued into the continue to build on that Chris Connelly - 1,959 we have now moved on, season itself, with us club spirit that is growing runs and we even had the luxury regularly having enough by the week. Gideon Haigh - 2,982 of all 5 teams getting a people training to field 4 runs game in over the past 2 teams on a Thursday night. Ed. weekends. Bowling The captains, led by Stu, Adam Sadler – 43 wkts Stuart Norman - 45 wkts What’s coming up at the Yarras James Allen - 46 wkts Martin Reidy - 95 wkts What When Where Robert Fisher - 95 wkts Outdoor training Every Tuesday and Thursday Como Park, South Yarra Matches continues night from 6pm Stuart Norman - 46 Braden Grigg - 47 November social event – Saturday 24 November Como Pavilion, South Yarra Shaun Robinson - 49 theme TBC Richard Halpagoda – 49 December Christmas To be announced Como Pavilion, South Yarra Pasquale Scrimizzi – Karaoke 99 Page 2 The Como Courier November 2012 Getting to know… We are now 2 captain’s down in Statistics: our ‘Getting to know’ section of the Courier. Debut – Saturday 13 January 2007; D Grade Vs Burnley. Next in-line, fresh from leading Scored 4 runs, batting at 4, and his side to their first win of the took 2-21 with the ball. season, is the third grade captain, Ben McLean. Games played – 70 Ben is now in his second season as third grade captain down the Runs scored – 1,047 @ 17.75 Yarras and has also served on the committee with distinction Highest score – 63* for South in his time down at Como Park. Yarra 5ths Vs South Yarra 4ths (yes they did play in the same It is all about the on-field grade), Sun 30 Nov 2008, MCA involvement for Ben now C Sunday. though, so let’s find out a little bit more about our resident Wickets: 23 @ 20.78 Yarras economist. Best bowling: 4/30 Vs East Malvern Tooronga, Sunday 21 October 2012, MCA B Sunday. What brought you down to Talk us through your Your decision to take-on the the Yarras? cricketing past. captaincy last year may have I moved down to Melbourne and I played juniors at Claremont- been a bit from left-field in was living near Fawkner Park. I Nedlands, a district club in Perth. some eyes. was walking through one day and My Dad was first grade captain for stopped to watch the cricket – the Mt Lawley district club and was a What made you want to take it blokes batting were about 6/25 but fringe member of state squad (sadly on and what have you learned seemed happy enough – I thought this talent has skipped a from the experience so far? then and there that that’s the club generation). I’ve always thought about the game for me. a lot when playing (and made I took a bit of time off cricket and plenty of suggestions to captains) Needless to say, with a score line then returned to play Suburban and was interested in putting my like that it was the Yarras (one Turf (sub-district) for Swanbourne words into action. bloke had been run out by this – playing in the 3’s and getting the bloke Gid, and the very same Gid odd game in the 2’s. You quickly learn that it’s a lot had been given out LBW – though easier to suggest than to make apparently there was no way it was Then various bits and pieces of decisions that involve choosing out). So I rang the president (Em) cricket in Sydney and England between a huge raft of options. and I’m still here 70 games later. before winding up at the Yarras. I have also learned that What would be the elements of What are your passions/interests consulting with your team is the your dream cricketing day? outside of cricket? best way to get to good Late to rise, big breakfast out, quick Golf, reading, most sports as a spectator, decisions, but that in the end 100 followed by a 5 for and a crushing food, wine, travel, horse racing (it is you have to make the decision victory for the 3rds over Burnley (in spring carnival after all!) yourself. preference, though this doesn’t really matter) on Como East. Who would be your 3 ideal dinner Cricket is a complicated game, guests (dead or alive)? and an innings in the field slips Then retreating to the balcony and a Too hard! away if you don’t concentrate frosty beer by 5pm to watch the 1’s or and work the field to restrict 2’s win a close game over their Ian M Banks would be one of the three, runs and seek wickets. nemesis side (Ed: That would be but as for the rest it is too hard to narrow Burnley again!). it down. Nassim Taleb perhaps and I am learning all the time and possibly JM Keynes for someone that lived like to think that while I have a Then head out for a curry. in fascinating times (Ed: Don’t worry long way to go, I am getting Yarras, I had to go onto Wikipedia for 2 better every week. of those 3 individuals as well!). Page 3 The Como Courier November 2012 Dear Auntie Sue... Dear Auntie Sue, Dear Mr Thomas (is that Tom for short?), There is nothing like the pressure to perform. It sorts out the men from the boys. Thank you for your letter. I can understand Not only are you performing in front of your At times in the field I find that there are times during a long day in the team-mates but also in front of those on the my mind (and eyes) field that your mind may begin to wonder to Como Hill who are sitting back enjoying wandering from the game. all manner of things, including the watching the boys perform all sweaty in the wonderful spread available at the afternoon hot sun (having performed on the hill myself tea break. I should know). In the absence of banning I must say that you have asked the right One strategy you may want to employ when blonde joggers from Como person. Being the worldly woman I am, and you find yourself being distracted on the on weekends can you my ability to appreciate beauty in all its field is to implement some form of memory suggest some strategies to forms, I can imagine that there are all sorts aid. The memory aid will trigger your of distractions when fielding, especially at conscious and you will remember that you improve my focus when the picturesque Como Park. are in public e.g. when you feel yourself fielding? getting distracted you could put your hands First of all, I don’t think that it’s a bad thing in your pockets. This may trigger a reaction to let your mind (and eyes) wonder during a and remind you of your love for the Yarra’s P. Thomas game of cricket. There is often a bit of down and playing at Como. time between balls when you can take in the scenery and all it has to offer. The key thing Another, more advisable, strategy would be to be aware of is when you should be turned to store up your excitement for some form of on. Personally I think any stimulant that delayed gratification after the game. It works makes your blood flow and encourages you for the legendary singer Sting and it may to put everything into it is a good thing.