It’s that time of the year again! Saddling up for what is likely to be my final season. As is typical for turf comps in Melbourne, Round 1 has been abandoned due to grounds not being ready.
1 Like
Only the premier division playing tomorrow, and all on the home clubs’ hard wickets, and even then some have been moved.
Deakin Uni’s back using its wicket, even though it doesn’t have a club. Some school grounds are too small for senior cricket (Little Dennington, Brauer College) so they’re playing on Deakin. Too wet though so it’s been moved.
I wasn’t doing a game so coming up to Melbourne for a family do. People elsewhere on school holidays are returning to Melbourne (or Geelong) and the trains are full. Three trains have left, chockers, already today.
I’d been talked into making a comeback via the Seriously-broken -And-Decrepit old bastards cricket association by a mate. Thankfully, they just declared all matches a washout. Inevitable injury(ies) postponed by at least a fortnight……
I’d even splashed out on a new grip , sanded , linseed oiled and done some toe repairs on the old Callen in preparation 
4 Likes
The old Callen bats used to be very popular when I was young. They had a shop on Mt Dandenong Rd opposite the East Ringwood ground. Heaps of guys had them in our area. They don’t make them like that anymore!
We’ve played 3 games so far this season, 2 wins and a loss. Started with a close loss in a T20, got done in the final over, failing to defend 152. Bowling and fielding was shocking. Last 2 performances really good. Yesterday won the toss, sent the opposition in and rolled them for 86. Passed them 5 down with plenty of time to spare. I’ve batted twice this season for 23 and 25. Very frustrating, feel in good touch but thrown away some starts. Was in control yesterday and hit one straight to backward point.
We got through to tea pretty much untouched, but it was spitting as we came off. I asked the home team if they needed to put covers on, because they knew the local weather patterns. Nah, we’ll be right. We weren’t, started to come down during tea and it took another ten minutes to get the covers on. Too late, she cried as she waved her wooden leg. Lightened off a few times, but then got heavier again. Called it off about 4.15. Luckily it was good, big arvo tea, because the game on the other ground finished very, very early, and they left before the pies went in the warmer.
My game was the seconds teams of last year’s premiers and last year’s spooners. And the spooners (a recently merged club) were 2/178. 7 dropped catches, none taken. One bloke, just dropped from the ones, got dropped 4 times making 17, and the other opener, probably 16 or 17, looked destined to be caught by a miraculous effort, but no, ended 61 not.
Apparently a young fella was struck during the warm ups of a game in Ferntree Gully and taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Giving off Phil Hughes vibes but hopefully not the case.
He is a friend and teammate of my grandson. The information coming from the club is that he passed away last night. For privacy reasons they do not want to release too much to the media.
They want to give the family space.
3 Likes
It’s just so sad.
4 Likes
Really sorry to hear that.
And yep, completely understandable to give the family as much space and time as needed.
1 Like
That’s horrible. Is he an Eildon Park or Ferntree Gully CC player?
Absolutely tragic if so.
Condolences to your grandson, too. I can’t imagine how I’d cope in that situation , especially as a young man.
1 Like
Ferntree Gully
1 Like
1 Like
Yeah, massive flashbacks to the Phil Hughes tragedy, that same feeling that all of us weekend warriors had when that incident could’ve happened to any one of us. RIP. 
3 Likes
That’s an absolute tragedy. Horrible.
Just read an article by Crash Craddock talking about the tragic death of this young boy and in it he mentioned that Darren Berry was his coach at the Rowville Sports Academy.
My goodness gracious me. Anyone would forgive Chuck for being an emotional wreck. The bad luck required to have so many people you work with and are involved with die so young is insane.
David Hookes, Phil Hughes, Shane Warne, and now young Ben Austin.
I’ve heard Chuck talk previously about kind of losing the plot a bit post Phil Hughes death, and understandably so. I sure hope he has good people around him at the moment.
2 Likes
A bit more here.
1 Like
Thanks for your kind condolences. My grandson is not coping well. He was with Ben at the Rowville cricket academy for six years.
2 Likes
This is indescribably sad. I can’t even begin to imagine the grief his family and friends would be experiencing.
During my formative years, riding my bike to cricket training after school was beyond exciting. I loved having a hit in the nets, taking slip catches and bowling to my team mates. The thought of never returning home because of a training accident would’ve been inconceivable.
Deepest condolences to the family and community.
2 Likes
Heartfelt condolences. This is just unbelievably tragic.
1 Like