2020 – what a year!
The COVID-19 pandemic brought each of us plenty of challenge and difficulty on many fronts; I am delighted to report that the Stragglers of Asia Cricket Club reaches the end of 2020 in decent health. I do also recognise that beyond cricket the pandemic has brought many personal and private challenges to members and their families, for example to health and employment/family finances. I like to think – indeed I see evidence – that our club and membership is as sensitive and supportive to fellow members as any.
The timing of the COVID-19 outbreak was unfortunate for cricket in England, effectively putting paid to any and all winter practice and early season action. It was a mark of the adaptability and responsiveness of our committee members, match managers, players and match officials that we were able to re-commence our cricket relatively soon after government and ECB restrictions were relaxed. As it turned out the ECB guidance for practice and match play was reasonably practicable; with minor adjustments such as limited pavilion access, ‘own arrangements’ for lunch and tea, brief 6-over hand sanitisation breaks, and no spit and polishing of the ball, matches could be played almost normally. Off the field the club was similarly agile; not least thanks to the efforts and speed of our club secretary, the committee was able to switch to a virtual way of working with scarce impact on club business (and probably some better practice to keep for the future).
Of note at the 2020 AGM it was agreed to form a Centenary Sub-Committee around appointed leads for each of the following key club activities, intended to take place leading up to and through 2025: a refresh of the club history; in early 2025, a short cricket tour in India; through the 2025 season, some ‘prestige’ fixtures; and after the close of the 2025 season, a centenary special club annual dinner. Together with certain selected club officers these key activity leads would each form around them a cluster of member supporters and advisers to enhance the quality of the plans and preparations for each of those key activities. At the AGM the following were elected as full members: Harry Bennie, Harry Chapman, Graham Grace, Craig Suckling, Harry Gravett, Billy Gravett, James McCann, Doug Porter, Charles Fidler, Milind Abdol, Adam Abbott, Tom McCellan and Jack Rodnight. Congratulations and a warm welcome to all.
In terms of our 2020 season: we played 8; had one match abandoned to rain (Hampshire Hogs); drew one (Adastrians); lost four (Bluemantle’s, Sunbury, Harrow Wanderers, Sir John Paul Getty XI); and won two, our first and last matches of the season, against Broadhalfpenny Brigands and Honourable Artillery Company. Among many highlights were Jonny McDuell’s fifties, Robert Pollock-Hill’s skilful spin bowling, and Matt Shales’ outstanding catch against Sunbury – bringing them the 2020 batting, bowling and fielding prizes respectively. As our young player of the year Jonny also joined his father Phil as a winner of the Hugh Lindsay Trophy. Our thanks to match managers for getting us all organised, and of course our congratulations to the prize winners.
Joe Cavanagh.