Folkestone 2010
Strollers secure win to kickstart their season
Before the annual Folkestone fixture fans, players and the media had been at a loss to explain the Strollers stuttering start to the season. 3 consecutive defeats had set the alarm bells ringing with critics suggesting the Strollers had “gone backwards” under the leadership of Paddy and Johnny Allen with performances in the opening games of the season in stark contrast to those of last season when the Strollers played with fluidity, flair and freedom. Luke Fletcher’s role as skipper for the day was to present England's united front after the abject display in the defeat against the Foreign Office which was followed by allegations of widespread unrest among the squad with several reportedly unhappy with Johnny Allen’s tactics and seeking clear-the-air talks. When the Strollers squad went their separate ways at the end of the FCO debacle many left wondering if they would ever get the chance to repair the damage inflicted on their reputations.
Duncan Cross, a founder member of the Strollers and landlord at the Former Strollers Arms was distinctly unflattering about the Strollers in a recent interview for ex Strollers Cricket Monthly:
"It seems to me as if the Strollers have gone backwards into the bad old days of swing and miss. What I heard about... had very little to do with cricket."
Many believe pressure is to blame for the stuttering start to the season and the Strollers shirt seems to weigh heavy on certain players who struggle to deal with expectation levels. "It is a mental thing. Absolutely. When you are under pressure, big pressure, sometimes the bat does not work normally," Bristowe told BBC Sport.
Another theory is that the Strollers simply are not as good as we thought they were –stale and ageing, jaded, overpaid (in some cases) and overrated, with most players past their peak.
The cry for Strollers youth to be given its chance is inevitable and understandable - but is there enough around to effect the radical changes so obviously needed after the brutal exposure of Johnny Allen’s team by the youthful, energetic and gifted FCO in Regents Park?
Luke Fletcher's resolve to keep the Strollers squad in the dark over his selection and directions to the ground until around two hours before the start of play had come under severe scrutiny - especially his refusal to name his preferred wicketkeeper.
Would Simon Young have been better served by knowing well in advance he would be keeping in Folkestone ? Did Fletcher's decision to keep his cards close to his chest contribute to anxiety that later caused Young to sloppily mis-throw the ball to a teammate resulting in his replacement by Macca halfway through the St.John’s innings ?
The teamsheet, however did contain some surprises when it was finally announced with debuts for Matt Pointon and Mark Searle, the inclusion of local boys Tom Barham, Billy Hodges (making a mockery of Fletcher’s assertion he would not pick injured or out of form players) and Ben Thompson and returns from Neil Allen, Ian Dougal and former skipper Tom Fletcher offering a small chink of light in the gloom.
Back too were the WAGs who had previously been held partly to blame for the Strollers defeat in the same fixture last year when media coverage of their excesses and swimwear in the sedate spa town of Folkestone threatened to overshadow the players on the pitch. The relaxed approach was a big departure from the almost monastic existence players led under previous more austere regimes.
Following a fairly ropey fielding practice, Fletcher L won the toss. Mindful of Strollers recent woeful displays when batting first and keen to exploit helpful conditions for seam bowling he elected to field, urging his team to show passion and recapture the “spirit” shown in previous seasons in the now traditional pre-match huddle.
Bristowe’s Heskey-esque role as the non-wicket taking strike bowler had been called into question (there have been claims he hasn’t even taken a wicket in training) but whilst he was bringing out the best in Carey fans were willing to overlook it. Since Carey’s wickets have dried up in a series of mystifyingly uninspiring performances peppered with petulant outbursts, Tom Barham was drafted in to open the bowling alongside Bristowe. On a helpful wicket they bowled tight spells picking up a wicket each and restricting St.John’s to 42 off the first 10 overs. Tom “Golden Arm” Fletcher continued his habit of taking crucial wickets with long hops (to remove the cricketing Bristowe, Rupert) and grubbers (much to the disgust of Rick Bristowe), and he was ably backed up by Neil Allen’s nagging half-volley length and line/deceptive pace which undid Mark Fletcher when well set on 10. Matt Pointon, however was the bowling revelation of the day taking 3-6 from his brilliant game-changing 3 over spell. Luke Fletcher held on to 2 skyers (one into the sun to send the swashbuckling Alex Finlowe back to the pavilion from Bristowe’s bowling, and one dropping over his shoulder on the run) and removed the dangerous John Fletcher with his part-time leg spin. The bowlers were well backed up by tigerish fielding, with Macca eventually replacing the aggrieved Youngy behind the stumps after a series of fumbles that might have proved costly on another day against stronger opposition.
With scones, brownies and fire in their bellies the Strollers set about chasing the 117 target with relish after tea, with senior players Tom Fletcher and Simon Young playing expansively and getting the innings off to exactly the start that was needed. Tom, opening his shoulders at times, reached the retirement total of 25 in quick time and was followed shortly after by Youngy who finally jusfied his selection in what was his best batting performance and highest score in 2 seasons. Ian Dougall looked good for a few balls before failing to heed Youngy’s call for caution, charging down the wicket to a ball with a lot of air on from Mark Fletcher and predictably being out stumped. He is not the first Stroller to be out this way and probably won’t be the last. Billy “Derek Randall” Hodges and Luke Fletcher kept the score ticking along with a mixture of delightful leg side flicks, mighty blows to full tosses and shocking mishits before Fletcher played on embarrassingly to a slower ball for 20 and Hodges was bowled for 9. New boys Thompson and Searle quickly followed and Hodges controversially triggered his Best Man Barham for 8 sparking fears of another famous Strollers batting collapse. By this stage however the game was already as good as won, and the team were seen home under the calm influence of the impressive Doug McAndrew (10 not out) and a nervy Rick Bristowe (2n.o).
Player Ratings
Tom Fletcher 6/10 Return to form for part-time ex-skipper. 2-24 off 5 overs and lively 26 not out. +1 for doing sea pole swim twice and climbing it, -1 for bad shirt, -1 for arriving late, -1 for bowling beamer at father/Honorary Stroller.
Simon Young 6/10 Unconvincing wicketkeeping display but much improved batting performance, finally realising bat is more effective than pad (27 not out). -1 for leaving early again missing post-match analysis/player ratings chat and offending honorary Stroller, +1 for strong swimming display in comedy swimming trunks (-1), -1 for being replaced as wicketkeeper midway through innings
Ian Dougall - 5/10 Solid performance both on and off the field, establishing himself as a key Stroller this season. +1 for comedy dismissal (4 runs), -1 for no sea swim
Billy Hodges 3/10 Played heroically through injury (+1) though lost point for no sea swim and more importantly failure to persuade WAG to swim following last year's effort. -1 for premature exit to go and see his sister play a gig though did return later (+1) to fiercely dispute player rating (-1) and dropped catch (-1). 5 runs, did not bowl, umpired controversially (+1).
Luke Fletcher 6/10 1-15 of 4 overs, 20 runs and 2 catches. -2 for poor organisation again, +2 for tribute speech for the late,great Mark Allen -former St John's strike bowler, Strollers nemesis and husband of Mandy (scorer) who recently passed away. +1 for catches, +1 for climbing sea pole but -1 for failing to swim round it.
Ben Thompson 6/10 - 6 runs and a catch on debut (+1) for the big man and former school teammate of senior Strollers Tom and Macca. +1 for debut, +1 for sea swim, +1 for catch but -1 for rising hugely and failing to learn from Player Ratings chat mistakes.
Mark Searle - 7/10 Golden duck on debut (+1), did not bowl, fielded 3rd man at both ends uncomplainingly (+1). No sea swim (-1) but only Stroller to have a book about cricket published (+1), brilliant self-deprecation and expert manipulation of Player Rating (+1) and brought books for hosts (+1).
Doug McAndrew 8/10 Top all-round performance. Arguably put to bed the Macca/Youngy/Maurice debate and is increasingly looking like a genuine batsman-wicketkeeper. In great nick with the bat, steering the Strollers home with a chanceless 10 not out. Displayed greater agility than Youngy as keeper (+1) though spilt one chance (-1). +1 for sea swim, +1 for providing photographic evidence of dreadful Strollers batting techniques.
Rick Bristowe 3/10 1-15 off 5 aggressive overs went some way to answering critics and 2 not out (taking season's average above 1 in his fourth innings). -1 for arriving late, -1 for not bringing WAG, -1 for being Luke's PA, -1 for scrawling notes disrespectfully and illegibly on Strollers poetry anthology then leaving Player Ratings behind, +1 for sea swim (apparently....)
Neil Allen - 2/10 First performance since legendary Cuckfield 10/10 tournament. Useful 1/18 off 3 overs. +1 for having a faster run up than delivery, -1 for catching John Fletcher off his brother's bowling and dismissing Mark Fletcher clearly learning little about respecting your hosts from his 4 years in the Middle East.-1 for claiming that the scorebook sometimes lies, -1 for no sea swim, -1 for trying to spike Fletcher and Bristowe's drinks before annual Folkestone Open.
Tom Barham 4/10 Bowled well (5 overs 1-23) +1 and fielded athletically, including for opposition (+1) though did drop a sitter (-1). No sea swim (-1) and disputed LBW decision he was on the wrong end of from man he is doing Best Man's honours for (-1).
Matt Pointon 8.5/10 * (Man of the Match) - Devastating spell of bowling on his debut taking both teammates and opposition by surprise (3-6 from 3 overs in his first game for at least 10 years). Humble in Player Ratings chat (+1). No sea swim (-1) was the only blemish in an otherwise unforgettable performance. One of cricket's good guys.
Special mention to Mark and Debbie Fletcher for outstanding hospitality and catering once more, John Fletcher for his eclectic Saturday night DJ set, Mandy Allen for scoring, St.John's for being good value opposition and all Strollers wonderful wives, girlfriends, kids, sisters and parents for their loyal support throughout the day and tolerance of the extensive post match analysis which unsurprisingly dominated evening discussion.