Well, after what seems like a long build-up period, league cricket is back at Oakley Park. In what will come as a shock to many, the weather looks warm and sunny. So, we’d best make the most of it. Although this is a preview of the games, predicting the outcome of the first matches of the season is a bit like knowing what Liz Truss might say next. All the teams we are playing may well have lost players and gained very good ones. All we can do is turn up well-prepared and see where we end up.
Odiham II v Oakley First XI
The First XI make the short trip up the M3 (or through the back lanes if they prefer) to Odiham to face their Second XI. I was going to say The Oaks looked to be at full strength then I remembered skipper, James Bayliss, is crocked with a slipped disc. So, vice-captain, Dan ‘DJ’ Jones, leads the team, happy with his line-up. Dan (looking for form) opens the batting with Matt Burrell. Matt has looked steady if not yet spectacular in pre-season but will be looking to continue his excellent batting from last season. Michael ‘Woody’ Wood is raring to go in at 3 after a steady knock last week. Josh Carpenter, in imperious form, is in at 4 and hungry for runs.
Nigel Bishop is in at 5, also after a decent knock last week. In-form new dad, Will Cheyney, is proving that a happy father makes a content cricketer (or something like that) and will be looking to keep his recent good run going. Alex ‘AB’ Brundle comes in at 7 after showing some good signs in pre-season, with wicketkeeper Paddy Saines as a steady run-scoring influence as low as 8, presumably as security. The ‘tail’ is made up of Mike Bryant, Stef Kaltner, and youngster Harry Tucknott, all of whom can score runs down the order, Mike in particular. The bowling set-up looks good enough, but The Oaks know they need to mimic strike bowler Stef Kaltner and search for more consistency.
However, Mike Bryant has more than enough to offer in that regard, and Harry Tucknott is improving rapidly and turning into the genuine paceman we hoped and predicted he would become. The skiddy AB has been working on ridding himself of extras and has looked good in nets and pre-season, Dan Jones and Will Cheyney will be providing the spin bowling backup. Josh Carpenter is also likely to bowl if and required.
It’s not worth commenting on Odiham now as we don’t know their team. However, as always, it will be a stern test of our credentials as we look to build on the success of 2023.
Oakley II v Odiham III
The Two’s entertain Odiham III’s looking for a solid start to 2024. New skipper, Ian Bennett, is pleased with his line-up. Much though, will depend on Chris ‘Mozzer’ Morris and Steve Bown landing running after not much pre-season work to other commitments. Nick Green opens with Bownie looking to get The Oaks off to a flier, with the handy-looking debutant, Joe Marlow in at 3 fresh from a maiden Oaks 50. Ian Bennett and George Lethaby may need to perform well at 5 and 6 as after Noah Beckell and Ollie Rabley, the batting options look a little shaky.
The bowling looks okay and could be very good. However, much depends on Noah Beckell, George Lethaby, Zak Newton, Ollie Rabley, and new boy Sharan Hugar, hitting the right areas. If not, the spin of Joe Marlow and the slow and steady stuff of rusting, aging and creaking Oakley Express (AKA Bob Lethaby) may come into play. Consistency with bowling will be a key to a successful season for the Two’s as they strive to build on last year’s decent sixth place finish.
All in all, it looks like a competitive if not formidable side where, if everyone is on their game, there is no reason why we shouldn’t get a positive result.
Easton & Worthy Martyr III v Oakley III
The 3rd XI go down to Winchester to play Easton & Martyr, with skipper, Dan Beckell, in the unenviable position of having too many players to choose from. For those missing out, it is unlikely to happen again but if it does, Dan’s rotational plans will come into force. The team is made up of senior players and colts learning their trade in what promises to be an interesting encounter. Dan has gone with experience at the top of the order, rewarding his own good form with an opening slot along with the reliable Jeff Triner.
Then, in between the wily experience of Kris Tucknott, Steve Savage, and Dave Bowers, comes the experimental trio of Ben Robinson, Adam Triner, and Will McCarthy. Adam will need to be working on going a bit harder at the ball. Will, conversely, will be looking for a bit of Adam-like defence to complement his attacking instincts. Still, with the experience around them, it’s a great opportunity to progress. The bowling looks good on paper. The experienced and often metronomic Dave Bowers and Jeff Triner hope to provide a platform for Harrison Bird, Ryan Parry, and all-rounder Will McCarthy to flourish. James Middleton, still celebrating getting George Lethaby out last week, is the spin option this week in a balanced-looking bowling attack.
There is no reason why the Third XI can’t return to Oakley Park with a positive result.
In Summary
So, that’s it. We’re ready to go. We look forward to 2024 with genuine excitement. We are now a stable club with a solid long-term membership of players throughout the club, complemented by a handful of new members that arrive year on year. This provides us with teams featuring a core of players at every level. Whilst that alone won’t buy us success, it is a huge contributing factor. On top of that, we need good weather, lack of injuries, and players finding the form expected of them.
Then we will compete and may even go beyond our expectations. Who knows? Whatever the case, we should all go out and enjoy the sunny weather on Saturday. We live in England, so we just don’t know what summer will throw at us. It could be balmy Mediterranean-feeling days, or cold miserable washouts. The weather can’t be controlled. What we can control is our ability to enjoy being a part of the theatre of scenes. We do this relishing in the sporting and social pleasure that Oakley CC offers us.
On we travel.
