Best Ever Brentwood CC XI?
- KRISTEN ALI
- Nick Knight
- Aaron West
- Alston Bobb
- Kasun Bodisha
- Nuwan Shiroman
- Shane Shillingford
- Sam Ali
- Max Osborne
- Jahid Ahmed
- Ben Cocklin
- Bob O'Brien
Author Comments: This team is full of people that I know of and have seen play..I selected Aaron West because of his future potential, I had to choose all the overseas players that I have seen and met myself, I selected my Dad because I need a free taxi driver, I picked Ben because I want to play u15s and Bob O'Brien is a legend.
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- IAN BELCHAMBER
Best Ever Domestic XI
- Nick Knight
- Jonathan Walford
- Micky Davis
- Graham Walker
- Aaron West
- Damian Brandy
- Jahid Ahmed
- Max Osborne
- Ben Cocklin
- Nigel Porter
- Keith Goodman
Best Ever Overseas XI
- Hrishikesh Kanitkar
- Chad Porter
- Kasun Bodisha
- Alston Bobb
- Shane Shillingford
- Paul Sutherland
- Matt Sutherland
- Darren Sammy
- Danesh Kayani
- Gavin Kenny
- Justin Kenny
Author Comments: My side ended up being two from Mouse, Aaron and Richard Reed. I've heard Richard was a different class, so based on that it was a tricky decision between Mouse and Aaron. It probably was decided by the fact Aaron's 18 and Mouse was towards the end of his career when I played with him, and that was probably the only difference. Overseas players: I suspect most would be in any side, but there are probably three or four before my time, who are better than some of these guys. I reckon we are struggling for a keeper though. I've been told (well, ordered by Dicky) that having someone I've not seen play in my side is ridiculous, so can I change Richard Reed for Micky Davis then and that resolves my dilemma?
Using Dicky's logic I wouldn't be able to select anyone who has appeared within the last six years. The 1st XI has just proven to everyone that it is the best team BCC has ever had. As I tried to explain, I simply felt it was impossible to leave out certain players despite having not seen them.
I think that when Jon Coote suggested this little game after his chat with Salty it was only intended as a bit of fun anyway, not to be taken too seriously.
The other argument that normally crops up with this kind of thing is comparing players who didn't play in the modern era with players today. There have been huge changes regarding fitness levels, technique, equipment technology, etc. Would Roger Federer have beaten Rod Laver? This type of argument is always going to be hypothetical and therefore there will never be a definitive answer.
I was on the main committee when 'Reedy's' application came for consideration.
I remember the committee being deeply divided about where to play him given that he had played Sussex IIs (if I recall correctly).
In the end, it was decided he would debut for the 4th XI away at Leigh-on-Sea. Due to an injudicious post-match tackle on the outfield late the previous season, I too found myself in that side (from recollection, Rob Coote, Tim Potter and Hentry Woods also featured).
Reedy's contribution was 0, and going in at 90-9, only a swashbuckling, career-best 47 from yours truly put Brentwood in a position from where they would win the game.
It was therefore, a travesty that Mr. Reed would find himself batting 3 for the 1st XI the following week while I was overlooked. It still rankles to this day!
contd
Playing in a Sunday 1st XI match where he decided to pepper the tennis club. Eventually, an irate female tennis player storms round, raquet in hand and demands. "Who is doing that?".
"Him!", we reply as Reedy launches another one into centre-court.
"Well can you tell him to stop!"
Another was watching the Gravesend Captain hastily rearrange his field as Reedy took 20 from the opening over of an all-day game at the Bat and Ball ground.
Coming back from that game in Richard Mee's car, me and Dave Cantor in the back, he played the same song repeatedly at full volume all the way home, insisting we learn the words. 'Wild West' by Escape Club.
It's on my MP3 today.
Good lad, great player and almost impossible to bowl at on his day.
I think the point I was making is that if you pick someone in a "best of..." based purely on reputation i.e. someone else's opinion, then you are actually picking someone else's "best of.." not your own. That is very different to picking someone based on your opinion of statistics, reports written at the time etc.
Nepotism Phil? That has never existed at BCC surely?
A few years ago, I persuaded Dad to play in Sunday 4th team game (wearing an Arran sweater). He might make another XI.
Nick is undoubtedly the best player I ever played with.
Justin Kenny is the 2nd.
The rest I'd have to think about. I'd like to have Reedy, Gavin Kenny, Fomesy and Gary Jones in the middle-order.
You might get skittled occasionally, but if you got 300, you'd have got them bloody quickly!
Quicks Dickie Mee, Boden and Hastey, and as you can't have Crossley and Ben in the same team, Gooders providing the variation.
Mouse, if Fomesy gets another blob, you're in!
Tricky isn't it?
(Incidently, no players included that I didn't play with)
The current West Indies captain managed to play one game I think in the League Cup around 6 years ago away at Leigh.
He was on the MCC Staff and so Jonny knew him and got him along. We had already signed up Sutho to play for us, so couldn’t have 2 overseas players
- NICK CHILDS
- Jonathan Walford
- Aaron West
- Nick Childs
- Alan Houston
- Ben Cocklin
- Damian Muncaster
- Neil Webb
- Paul Webb
- Micky Payne
- Tony Prior
- Ian Belchamber
Author Comments:
- J. Walford - Not only an outstanding cricketer, prolific run scorer and twice league winning captain but an extremely talented spoof player!
- A. West - Reminds me of the glory days when we opened the batting together with our complimenting styles (he isn't bad now either)
- N.Childs - Enough said
- A.Houston - The man who first gave me a chance in the mens teams and the most prolific 6th XI run scorer of all time (apparently he wasnt bad earlier in his career either)
- B.Cocklin - Quite simply a brentwood legend, also known as the rock for his determined batting displays but will long be remembered for his singing and dancing after a few pints!
- D.Muncaster - Writes a great match report and bowls tight offspin.
- N.Webb - Another brentwood legend, spins it more than shillingford and he let me use his bat in the 4th XI
- P.Webb - Batting a bit higher than usual but after his stubborn resistance against Ilford i think it was worthy. A regular drinking partner in the bar and fellow 1st XI hanger-on.
- M.Payne - swings the ball at pace, always has a story or two and loves buying jugs in the bar.
- T.Prior - Another fast bowler who swings it like a banana, good competition with Payne and more nicknames than anyone else in the club make prior an essential pick
- I.Belchamber - An ever present at the club, cant really bowl, cant bat at all, doesnt really drink but every team needs someone to score and put the flags out!
J. Redwood - Let down by terrible spoof and length of time at the club, has potential for the future but needs to stop talking about winning the league 3 times
S.Poutney - Exceptional talent with the ipod of a saturday evening, needs to convert some good evening starts into messy hangovers and length of service again held against
T.Barbone - Great start to his career and after a rocky patch (see what ive done there) is coming good again. Hopefully will see full potential shortly.
I thought the idea was that you had to select yourself - Much more fun to be part of it!
Yes we all know what a great job Belly does with regards to all the behind the scenes stuff but it is much more fun to be mean to him (and damo does write a better match report)
Ken - There is only room for one slogger in the team and i have taken that role on this occasion
- BEN COCKLIN
- Nick Knight
- Jon Walford (Vice Capt)
- Aaron West
- Graeme Walker
- Damian Brandy
- James Redwood (Wkt)
- Jahid Ahmed
- Max Osborne
- Shane Shillingford
- Richard Whitehall (Capt)
- Ian Belchamber
Author Comments: nick knight played 100 odis for england so gets in quite comfortably. jon walford - without him i dont honestly know where the club would be. we might be playing willowherbs sunday 3s if he hadnt scored the runs he has. aaron west - great batsman, brilliant fielder and a decent bowler. graeme walker - pure class in his younger days and use to catch pigeons at slip. damian brandy - beautiful to watch when he gets going. incredible athlete in the field and a very good bowler. james redwood - excellent gloveman, makes it look easy, elegant batsman. i didnt see enough of jeff salt or martin pether to judge them. jahid ahmed - his only season that he played was a pleasure to keep to him. explosive batsman. max osborne - ambles up to the crease and then releases hostility.never seen him drop a catch and smacks bowlers a very long way. richard whitehall - he used to be very quick when he joined in 1997. he had the best never say die attitude in a cricketer i ever played with. great hands and scored valuable lower order runs. shane shillingford - it was almost impossible to score runs off shane. turned it both ways and at a good pace. he was the most difficult bowler i have ever kept to but it was a pleasure. great fielder and could bat when he wanted to. ian belchamber - improves every year. he turns the ball a very long way and has developed a great arm ball. excellent throwing arm and im convinced 6 years ago he could bat. players left out who were very close to selection were nigel porter, kevin crossley, micky davis, hrishikesh kanitkar, nick haste and dickie mee. my captain would be richard whitehall as he led poor teams by example. he was the strongest captain i played under, not in terms of bench pressing, but authority. he was a bit defensive so i have installed jon walford as vice to give him some advice which im sure richard will ignore.
- DANNY COCKLIN
Best Ever XI
- Jon Walford Jnr
- Graeme Walker
- Justin Kenny
- Richard Reid
- Micky Davis (Capt)
- Gary Jones
- Nick Haste
- Ben Cocklin
- Richard Mee
- Kevin Crossley
- Paul Lattimore
Author Comments: The criteria for selection was players I'd played with or against, and as per league game, one overseas player. That choice went to Justin Kenny who was simply awesome. I did play with John Walford senior in the third team many moons ago, but having bowled against Jonathan, I think the younger version just edges it. Contrary to public opinion it wasn't that difficult to include my brother as keeper. His longevity in the side is due to his decent keeping, much improved batting and his "never say die" attitude. I'd like to also state that the fact he became best friends with the last six captains at the club was merely coincidental. My choice of captain is Micky Davis, who during his tenure became an exceptional skipper. Lastly, to form the most balanced of attacks, I have included Paul Lattimore. Although he has been a long standing friend, I firmly believe persistent injuries prevented him for being the best left arm seamer this club may have ever produced.
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I was less than impressed, some years later when the club asked Nick to donate an England shirt, and he simply ignored the request.
I would doubt he's ever graced the O.C.G since he left Essex in 1994.Correct me if I'm wrong.
As for Ben and Crossley, I thought Ben had it in for him less than others I could mention.
Naming no names, but a certain opening 1st batsmen who I believe may have even been KC's best man or vice versa ,couldn't bring himself to talk to him after he'd left and vented his almost hatred of him on many occcassions......... allegedly
As I say, this guy wants to remain nameless so it would be reckless of me to mention him. Shame because this guy was mustard.
" We respect Crossley and we respect Crossley, we respect Crossley and we respect Crossley, we are the Crossley respectors"
Yes it really rolled off the tongue.
- KEITH GOODMAN
Best Ever Domestic XI
- J Whitcombe
- L Cole
- N Knight
- D Heywood
- B Baker
- J Salt
- P Brown
- K Pont
- W Bateman
- G Harries
- B Goodwin
Author Comments: My team stretching over 41 years. As good as the present team? Probably not but they would have given them a very hard game. GOOD LUCK for the next season. The turncoat from Chelmer Park.
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Taught Geography at Brentwood, batted left handed. Played for Notts I think and once twelfth manned in a test match. Was rumoured to hit the ball miles. Will have played for Brentwood in the early '70s.
- PAUL LATTIMORE
Best Ever XI
- Nick Knight
- Justin Kenny
- Richard Reed
- Gavin Kenny
- Stuart Fomes
- Gary Jones
- Ben Cocklin
- Dickie Mee
- Dave Boden
- Nick Haste
Author Comments: Nick is undoubtedly the best player I ever played with. Justin Kenny is the 2nd. The rest I'd have to think about. I'd like to have Reedy, Gavin Kenny, Fomesy and Gary Jones in the middle-order. You might get skittled occasionally, but if you got 300, you'd have got them bloody quickly! Ben keeping, else he'd never stop phoning me to complain he wasn't in the side. Quicks Dickie Mee, Boden and Hastey, and as you can't have Crossley and Ben in the same team, Gooders providing the variation. Mouse, if Fomesy gets another blob, you're in! Tricky isn't it? (Incidentally, no players included that I didn't play with).
- PHIL LATTIMORE
- Jonathan Walford
- Nick Knight
- Aaron West
- Micky Davis
- Damian Brandy
- Jahid Ahmed
- Graham Walker
- Martin Pether
- Keith Goodman
- Kevin Crossley
- Charles Kortright
Author Comments: My biggest dilemma was not wanting to include players I hadn't seen personally, but feeling that it was impossible to leave certain people out. My selection of those players is based on match reports, hearsay, and success on the field.
By winning the league this year, the current 1st XI has provided tangible evidence that it is the best ever Brentwood side. Even though I only know Ben and Belly, I can't ignore what Jon Walford and others have achieved in recent years. If I were still able to get over to the OCG these days I suspect my selection would have included a few more current 1st XI players.
Likewise, I never saw one of the other players in my list. Charles Kortright played for Brentwood in the 1892 season and has been described as 'probably the fastest bowler in the history of the game'.
It is claimed he once bowled 6 byes; he battled with W G Grace; and he also featured in John Arlott's 'Best XI never to play Test cricket for England'. How can he be left out of a best-ever Brentwood side?
Mouse was a little Welsh terrier; a solid batsman, a great fielder, a real fighter, and an inspirational captain. The most enjoyable seasons I had were playing for the Sunday 1's under his captaincy.
Going back a long time, Peth and Kevin Crossley were always very special players to watch. Even when comparing them to good club cricketers, they were just in a different class.
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- KEN LINGWOOD
Best Ever XI
- Trevor Coote
- Jason Swan
- Steve Morritt
- Ken Lingwood
- Zamir
- Barry Brooks
- Jimmy Lingwood
- Dean Goddard
- Rob Coote
- Tony Prior
- Paul Webb
Author Comments: Maybe not the "best ever" BCC side, but most definitely the best fun. This was the famous 1999 "bellies out" 3rd XI match away at Wickford. Great mates, great team we were all Kings they were all........!!!!!!
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- MICK PAYNE
- Mick Payne
- Kevin Brailey
- Chris Boon Snr
- Neil Webb
- Damian Muncaster
- Nick Childs
- Dave Barbone
- Ben Cocklin
- Ian Belchamber
- Richard Whitehall
- Peter Bainbridge
Author Comment: Beings I for some strange reason have played my cricket in the mid to lower teams I thought I would pick a team not on ability but on who I would like to get drunk with in the bar afterwards.
My team:
- Kevin Brailey. Excellent drinker of real ale. Always very good to discuss politics with and always buys his round.
- Chris Boon Snr. Boony has got one of those faces that makes you laugh before he speaks and is a top quality funny dancer.
- Neil Webb. Webby is a very good addition to the team as his old man is president of the club and there is an outside chance of getting afters.
- D.Muncaster. I always think it is essential to have a bloke in the bar who looks like a 5.8" grey squirrel.
- Nick Childs. The reasons Nick got in are I think you need a bit of youth in the bar and also he moans a lot less than his Dad.
- Dave Barbone. Even though some people might say drinking red wine is a bit girly I dont agree. My only slight concern with Dave is trying to get his horrendous cricket jumper off his "lean" body after the game. If it cannot be removed then I can see him overheating in the clubhouse afterwards.
- Ben Cocklin. I had to put Ben in the team because I have never been in the bar without seeing him in there. I did try and get Katie in as well but decided that I will organize a night out for her instead, where she will have some engaging conversation and a lot of laughs (unlike her normal Saturday Nights). Therefore she will be taken out for a lovely meal with Ash, Ken Hobbs and Alan Houston.
- Ian Belchamber. I think its worth having Belly in the team. If some stray women come into the club they always eye up Belly he entices them over. Once he starts speaking to them they then check all the other blokes out.
- Richard Whitehall. If rather than women turn up at the bar but a bunch of thugs then the first person they would hit would be Dicky. Whilst this was happening we could all run away.
- Pete Bainbridge. I would have him in my team because the expression on his face does not change if he has 1 pint or 12.
My 12th man would be Tony Prior. His job would be to find someone else to play if anyone blew out. Obviously put the stumps out and score and make sure everything is put away after the game. Beings we are getting on better nowadays I would allow him to come into the bar when someone is in the toilet or popped out for a fag. When the team are all in he can wait outside. I will lend him an umbrella if it starts to rain.
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- MARTIN PETHER
Best Ever XI
- Nick Knight
- Graham Walker
- Richard Reed
- Jeff Salt (Wkt.)
- Mickey Davis
- Brian Baker (Capt.)
- Peter Brown
- Bill Bateman
- Richard Mee
- Gwynne Harries
- Keith Goodman
Author Comments: My team is selected from all the players I took the field with during my time at the club excluding all those from overseas.
I joined as a twelve year old in 1971, scoring for the first XI on Saturdays and Sundays. There was no colts section and only two teams on each day of the weekend. Annual Subs for a Full Playing Member were £5.25p. Match Fees thirty seven and a half pence! Yes, I was in 'Life on Mars' the first time round. I began playing for the mens teams three years later.
Apart from one season at Hutton I played every year until I left in 1993. Any players after this date I have not considered.
NICK KNIGHT opened the batting with me during his first season at the club and it was obvious from he start he was a class act. His medium pace bowling complimented his batting and he was a brilliant fielder in any position. Just when batsmen thought they had the measure of them he would slip in a wicked bouncer. As I always stood up to the stumps to him it kept me on my toes too.
Along with Nick, GRAHAM WALKER and RICHARD REED were members of the side that nearly won the league in the 1980's. Both were super confident in their own abilities and on their day either one could take any bowling attack apart.Perhaps it is forgotten that SALTY first played as a wicket-keeper/batsman but gave up the gloves to give youth a chance. Jeffrey added some northern wit, grit and stacks of runs. He is also keeping wicket in my team.
MICKEY 'MOUSE' DAVIS was a fantastic fielder and the most effective middle-order batsman. Full of energy he always took the attack to the bowlers. Always a positive influence in any team he played in.
BRIAN BAKER shared the First XI captaincy with Bobby Mayes throughout the 1970's and was an elegant left-handed batsman. He was also a brilliant short leg/leg slip fielder. What tips the balance for him however was his captaincy. The best I ever played under.
One more wicket in a fixture against Hadleigh in the mid 1970's when they were nine wickets down and Brentwood would have won the league a few decades sooner than they did. Two bowlers from that era are PETER BROWN and GWYNN HARRIES. Peter as a quick bowler was the complete package. Swing, seam and most importantly pace with control. Gwynn was medium/quick and always on the money, doing just enough to beat the bat. He always wanted me to stand up to the stumps when he bowled. Batsmen were so suprised when he sent one down the leg side I always had the chance of a stumping.
RICHARD 'DICKIE' MEE was another wicket-taking bowler. When he put it all together his in-swing bowling at fast/medium was as stern a test as any batsman could face.
Left arm spin would be provided by another player from a bit further back, BILL BATEMAN. Bill extracted the maximum turn from every pitch he played on. With all the subtle variations of a master craftsman he had the 'bottle' to take on the best.
Off-spinner KEITH GOODMAN completes the team. Keith's wonderful control was acquired from hours of practice. He would first stop the batsman scoring, then make them hit the ball straight down the throat of one of his carefully positioned fielders. Simple!
PAUL 'TIGER' ADAMS would have to be the umpire and of course CHRIS STUART the scorer.
All played the game in the correct spirit. To win and have fun. It would have been great in the bar too!
- TONY PRIOR
Best Ever XI
- David Smith
- Shane Surujbally
- Nick Childs
- Dean Goddard
- Ken Lingwood (Capt)
- Trevor Coote (Vice capt)
- Alex Priddle
- Ash Patel
- Tim Barbone
- Darren Clements
- Peter Bainbridge
Author Comments: All players I picked I have played with at some time or other for Brentwood.
- David Smith: Steady dependable and technically correct, for me the perfect opener.
- Shane Surujbally: Light the blue touchpaper and retire to a safe distance and watch the fireworks.
- Nick Childs: Another technically gifted player with flair, very entertaining.
- Dean Goddard: Top bloke great all-rounder, the man to turn to if you needs to get the scoreboard ticking.
- Ken Lingwood: Inspirational skipper and calypso batsman "come and watch me bat" Always going for the win "we're all Kings....."
- Trevor Coote: Knows just about everything there is to know about cricket and not a bad bat either, some of my best cricketing moments were batting with Wimpey.
- Alex Priddle: Gloveman, batsman and 2nd longest in the shower.
- Ash Patel: Bowls both seam up and spin, and bats like he taught KP himself.
- Tim Barbone: Rocky, a match winning spinner and all rounder.
- Darren Clements: Quiet unassuming Aussie, with fire in his belly,&
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