My Best DCC X1 of the last 28 years - 30 August 2005
.......having played for just over 28 years, I feel equipped to put together my fantasy side............
My Best Dorchester CC side of the last 28 years. (qualification 1 full season)
Andrew Inkster – simply the best batter to have played for the club. Eighteen years of age when he joined us for one season in 1988. Demolishing batting records along the way, this superb batter from Melbourne, Australia was a joy to watch. Couldn’t hold his pop though as one famous night at Burnstump park comes to mind, when he disappeared outside to croak English Beer.
Nick Briars – Probably the best organised batter the club has seen. Real discipline and authority at the crease. Particularly severe on anything short, superb fielder in or out and gets the second opening spot in front of Steve Gaunt, Colin Franks and Colin Chadburn, all of which were formidable run scorers for the club.
Steve Mee – Been a mate of mine since we met at Whitemoor school in 1970 and boy what a sportsman! Richard Hadlee had Steve down as a huge prospect at NCCC and although Steve had a taste of first class cricket, it didn’t quite work. Good news for DCC as Steve swapped ball for bat and with his 6 foot 8 inch frame smashed and occasionally caressed the ball to all parts with great regularity. Brilliant late cutter and gulley fielder to rival any pro.
Ian Cross – Middle order is a tough one, but Crossy shades out Jamie Lees, Keith Dean, Mark Dawson and a host of wannabees, predominantly due to his excellent conversion rate to big scores, his terrific and often dynamic shot selection and his quality fielding (including any opportunity to pull in a slide on ball recovery).
Iain Bamber – The first of three genuine all rounders. I don’t think we ever saw the best of Iain with the ball (probably didn’t get full opportunity) but a very gifted all round cricketer, who for some reason always and I mean always wore his sleeveless sweater. Holds the record for most runs in one over with 6,6,6,6,6,4 at Anston. I stood at the other end and watched, longing for that power in the drive.
Haydn Rowlands – was the club’s IT Botham in the late seventies and early eighties, if it was happening Haydn was in the middle of it. He was a very powerful, big hitting orthodox batsmen, a hustle bustle brisk upper medium pacer and an energetic fielder. . Haydn rapped up to take up body building, but being an Eastwood lad he called down to see our annual fixture for many years after..
Dave Harrison - steals the last all rounder slot from Jeff Old, Craig Lewis & Hibbo. Hucknall lad Dave was a very handy medium paced swing bowler and a destructive batter, who held the clubs highest innings score for a number of years with 158 at King George V at Aspley, smashing 8 x 6s and 18 x 4s. Close call this one, with Hibbo in his pomp the better bowler, but just shaded out.
Dean Blake – Grabs the opening bowling slot with his great stature and classic action. Dean came to us a bit raw, but has turned into a very good cricketer indeed. Took the club highest innings record of Iain Bamber in a memorable season a few years back with a stunning 180odd at Quorn, great fielder, but pips Pat Healy (quick) & Russ Prout (wily fox) for his all round game & presence.
Steve Bennett – every good side has a spinner and there’s only one winner here. Benno is a top spinner, always giving 100% and over my years of captaincy has bailed me out when things were looking a bit grim on several occasions. Solid big hitter, good arm and a pleasure to have in the changing room for the banter.
Terry Beresford – I am not a fan of ‘keeping allrounders. You need your best keeper full stop. Terry was a class keeper, who carried on playing until he was 63. But take it from me in his heyday, there were few to beat him. He was particularly good standing up and on occasions there some breathtaking full length takes (probably from wides!). In addition he had a great appeal, which often shocked umpires into a decision. Solid batter, who valued his wicket.
Terry Elsey – the best quickie we’ve had, played late senties, early eighties. Terry had a Mike Procter windmill delivery off the wrong foot, genuine pace and it did a bit! He rattled through batting orders, often taking 5 & 6 fers.
Sorry if you’re not included. Its all a matter of opinion ofcourse. Regarding captaincy, I think it would be a bit like American Football and I would conduct things from the side. If that wasn’t allowed, it would probably be Mr Bamber who has a very sharp cricket brain and having skippered Gus Logie in Lancashire club cricket would probably make the best bid on a vote.
Paul.
August ’05.