Yeah, Ian had his workshop next door producing the bats and then they’d be sold from the shop front. I bought mine from him after just randomly going past his store , from memory I’d been intending to buy a Slazenger V100 but to get an actual locally made bat seemed very cool. Like most bats of that era, this one has an incredible middle if your timing is good, and gives you sfa anywhere else. You ain’t miss-hitting an edge over the point boundary with this bat. Which is as it should be imo.
Quite a few years back Ian got involved with a willow plantation offshoot and started conducting bat-making classes with a view to retiring. Which he has now done. Several of his pupils have picked up the baton and you can still get an Australian made bat from Australian grown English willow. One of them offers a “retro” style bat that looks a hell of a lot like my Callen that is apparently quite popular with Vets aged players. I’m not at all surprised.
Edit - apologies for the less sombre post in a time of tragedy for all cricket lovers. No disrespect meant, of course.
The nets at Wally Tew are only a couple of hundred meters from my house, we heard all the commotion and I peaked down the road and saw fire, police, and several ambos and at time we deduced someone had had a heart attack. My children both go to Rowville, Ben’s school and quite soon after their phones were going off with the dreadful news. It’s utterly heartbreaking tbh.
I think today’s game was in one of the most scenic areas I’ve ever played or umpired a game.
It was between the two crater lakes about 5km west of Camperdown, Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Gnotuk. Apparently Camperdown CC play on the two fields, beside the Camperdown Golf Club, and this season, while the field at Cobden school is being renovated, the Cobden women are playing at the hard wicket here. There are hills all around, probably the lips of the crater, and both lakes are said to be deep fishing lakes.
I’d been to Lake Purrumbete on Friday for lunch with Geelong-based friends so two trips of about 100km each way in 3 days is an effort.
And their opponents were from Hawkesdale which is 36km northwest of here, so the longest roadtrip in the comp.
Good game too, but not enough scones for arvo tea.
After the heat stopped us playing last weekend, good to be back out there yesterday. Got the job done again, our 6th win in a row. Sent in on a pitch I would’ve batted first on if I won the toss. We made 5/217 off our 45. Probably should’ve been more given we had a century opening stand but a mid-innings wobble meant the 250+ total went begging. Given the strength of our bowling attack I always felt we’d defend it and we did, bowled the opposition out for 123. Solid win, maintain top spot with 5 games left.
I got 67, my best score of the season. Found some form after Xmas and felt that half-century was coming. Unfortunately though it’s come at a cost because when taking a sharp single just after I got to 50 I’ve done my groin or hip flexor. It’s sort of high near the quad.off to the physio to see what the damage is. Sore this morning and can barely walk so it’s obviously not good. Might be a few weeks on the sidelines.
Just back from the physio. Hip flexor strain. Miss 3-4 weeks. Look to get back for the last game before finals. Gutted because I’ve just found form and 3 of the next 4 games are against some very average bowling attacks. Was hoping to fill my boots!
Had a game at the main oval in Warrnambool Saturday.
There was a bloke playing his first game for Nestles, from Horsham, who was 216cm. Tallest bloke I’ve even been near. Normal build, but really tall. Taller bloke than Christian Bock, and better built (but pipe cleaners have a better build than CB). Doesn’t bowl.
Shy sort of bloke. Same surname as one of our 6 Vietnam veterans, possibly a grandson.
