The Cricketer dives into some of the stories from around the club cricket scene
Olicanian Ashes part two
In the previous edition of Club Life, The Cricketer announced the upcoming grand opening of Olicanian CC’s new pavilion, a project nearly three years in the making following a devastating arson attack in August 2019.
The club marked the occasion with a guest appearance from England and Yorkshire bowler Ryan Sidebottom and a friendly 'Ashes' fixture between an Olicanian XI and an Airedale and Wharfedale League Invitational XI.
And it was the latter side who emerged victorious on Sunday, lifting the 'Oli Ashes' following their 65-run victory.
Cooper Robinson was the standout performer, scoring 117 runs off 79 balls at the top of the order for the Aire-Wharfe XI to help them to 306 all out from 36.2 overs, while Mohammed Nadim picked up 4 for 51.
In reply, Tom Starkey (77) and Ethan McLelland (60) scored half-centuries for the Olicanian XI while Kieran Helwig (4 for 10) and Tyler Wilmott (4 for 57) took four wickets apiece. Sidebottom bowled two overs for the Olicanian XI, conceding 15 runs.
Olicanian CC's pavilion after the arson attack in 2019 [Mark Dexter, with thanks]
Ryan Sidebottom bowling for Olicanian CC in the Oli Ashes [SWpix, with thanks]
Six sixes for Gareth Price
Bradley Stoke batter Gareth Price has joined one of cricket’s most exclusive clubs after smashing six sixes in an over.
The 46-year-old completed the feat in the 25th over of his side’s North Somerset League Division Four clash with Chilcompton Sports, shattering a sight screen with his fourth six and bringing up his century – his first since 2013 – with the final boundary.
Price finished the innings unbeaten on 156 from 123 balls – a career-best knock – and Bradley Stoke closed on 282 for 4 from their 40 overs. They then bowled Chilcompton out for 94 to complete a 188-run win and climb up to second in the table.
Price, however, was modest about his contribution: "I enjoy playing in the second XI with our young lads. They’re the future of our club and to be honest, I got almost as much enjoyment from watching our Under-13 leg-spinner Sam Kadaba ripping it sideways later on."
On his innings, he added: "[After the fourth six] I realised I had a chance and I actually said to the wicketkeeper, 'It would be rude not to at least have a try!'
"The final delivery was slightly slower, on off stump, and I smashed it flat over square leg. Initially I thought I hadn’t quite got hold of it, and thought it was going to be a one-bounce four, but it managed to clear the boundary by about a metre.
"I bet no one’s ever got to a hundred with six sixes!"
Gareth Price [Steve Hill, with thanks]
Teenager dismisses Sir Alastair Cook
May 23, 2022, with be a day Kyran Shackleton remembers for the rest of his life. Representing Potton Town against Bedfordshire Farmers in a cup fixture, the 15-year-old dismissed none other than England and Essex batter Sir Alastair Cook.
Batting at No.5, Cook raced to 20 off 14 balls before being clean bowled by Shackleton, who finished the match with figures of 4 for 37.
Potton Town won the Heritage Cup quarter-final encounter by 26 runs and take on Southill Park in the last four on June 13.
Sir Alastair Cook made his annual appearance for Bedfordshire Farmers CC this evening.
— Cricket District 🏏 (@cricketdistrict) May 23, 2022
He was clean bowled by 15-year-old Kyran Shackleton, who wasn’t even born when Cook made his Test debut.
Brilliant scenes at @PottonTownCC 👏 pic.twitter.com/8yhB5WvsRJ
LV= Insurance Pride of Cricket Awards launched
Nominations are now open for the LV= Insurance Pride of Cricket Awards 2022, with six categories – LV= Pride of Cricket, LV= Club Hero, LV= Young Hero, LV= Fundraising Hero, LV= Community Hero and LV= Media Hero - highlighting the extraordinary work of individuals across grassroots cricket.
The closing date for nominations is September 1.
More information is available via the link at the bottom of the article.
And finally…
An early contender for ball of the year…
Oh my word.
— Cricket District 🏏 (@cricketdistrict) May 23, 2022
We've just been sent the delivery of the summer - look at the swing on that 🤯🔥
via @MildenhallCrick & @Frogboxlive pic.twitter.com/wvSKY7VfHo
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