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In my comeback as a cricketer I am a member of Percy Main Cricket Club's III team.

I play golf with club chairman, Dave Archbold and he asked me to come along, so that I can have some competitive cricket in the middle before I take my bat to Australia this coming September / October in the first ever tour by the newly formed Great Britain Transplant Cricket Club (GBTCC)

Sunday 12th September

The 'TOGS' v Percy Main XI cricket match and BBQ.
Venue = Percy Main Cricket Club
 

'TOGS' squad =  Marsh / Bavaird / Smith / Ross / Ridley / Higginbottom
  Minto /  Hunt / Todd / Raffle / McCree / Archbold.

I took it upon myself to ask the cricketers to bat first fearing the match could be all over too quickly if the 'TOGS' (golfers) were to set a target.   The format was that everyone bowl 2 overs and a batsman must retire if he reached 25.   As you will see we had 12 players as a result of Archie passing a late fitness test.   The match was increased to  25 overs a side, maximum of 3 overs by any bowler.

Percy Main Cricket Club X1 - 121 -7

Bowling analyses (wicket takers only)

*   I took a wicket with the first ball of my third over which was the second last of the innings, having conceded only 2 singles from my fist two.    Then Steve Knight, who opens the batting for Percy Main first team came swaggering to the crease at number 9.   I set my field accordingly knowing he would play correctly.   Sure enough he cracked his first ball straight to long on for what should have been a single.   I had not bargained for our Caledonian fielder, David Bavaird, to be smoking his pipe.   The ball went through his hands and his legs for 4.

The next two deliveries were smashed onto the adjoining football pitch for 6 and he smote the next  to long on and walked the single.   I finished the over with a dot ball.   My figures were in tatters and David puffed merrily on his pipe.

The term 'ringer' springs to mind in what was supposed to be a fun event.

My victim was 'CJ' Jeffries who I have had the pleasure of playing with for the III's this season, a fine scalp for my collection.   He was to get his revenge a little later.

The 'TOGS' batting...

In an effort to hit 'CJ' Jeffries out of the ground, and also reach 25, I gave him the charge and missed what he describes as his 'boosra'.   I think if the video evidence was available I may have been given the benefit of the doubt with the stumping.   Equally, his lbw dismissal by me had a touch of wood in it (possibly).   Anyway as the saying goes, 'Look in the scorebook!'

Summary - I think everyone enjoyed the day and we certainly did not disgrace ourselves.   Well done to the cricketers they deserved their victory.  

I would like to thank Percy Main Cricket Club for the use of the ground and facilities.   Dave & Carol Archbold and Eddy for all of the hard work they did on the day.   It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, thank you also to my wife Christine, AKA Mrs Boggy for her help with the catering.

To Ken Moor the opposition captain - thank you also, and we challenge you to another game next season (leave the first team batsman out of it next time please).   Ken batted and bowled well and even kept wicket one handed.   What a talent!   I think the counties ought to be looking at this yet to be discovered all rounder.

I think we should buy a trophy and play for it annually.

That's it - I am off to Australia now.   I will file reports in my 'Guest Book' from down under as to our progress and give a full account of our tour on my return.

G'day cobbers!

19th August - Away to to South Northumberland.   If they beat us, they win the league.

If you are visiting this report after reading my 'News Diary' you will not be surprised to find out that I scored 99 not out.   From the moment I walked to the wicket, as opener, I was seeing it like a football.

I hit my first delivery for four through extra cover and somehow I just knew I was going to score runs.   I continued in the same vein all through the 20 overs.   I hit 16 fours (12 through cover region) the other four were pull shots in front of square.   It was a doddle.    Ken at the other end was finding it easy to work the singles and give me the strike and we both batted through the innings, with him finishing 44 not out.   We had scored a record 155 for Percy Main III's and never offered a chance.

The only blight on the evening was that I failed to reach my maiden hundred.   This was because my alarm went off at 7.30am and I awoke from a deep deep sleep.   You must have realised that I had been dreaming - I told you that the weather was foul and that no outdoor sport was possible.

The only '99' I have had was sitting in the car eating it in a sugar cone.

I am quite impressed that you read all of this report.   You must have thought it was possible?   Any comments?

12th August - Match postponed, rain.  

5th August - Check out my 'News Diary for latest info re my forthcoming cricket tour to Oz.   It is all becoming very exciting.

Tonight's match is at Percy Main against very strong opposition in Newcastle City CC.

This has to be a first - and it's true.   Why would I tell you otherwise?

Newcastle City scored a massive 134 -1 in their 20 overs (no I did not bowl).   I opened the innings with Ken Moor and we coped with some hostile bowling for 4 overs.    We (I should say Ken) had only scored 6 runs but at least we were still there.  

I received what I think was a beamer, I just did not see it and it hit my stumps, but the umpire in his generosity signalled a no ball due to the height of the delivery.   They were not too happy and I was on the receiving end of what can only be described as 'patter'.   I had decided in my mind that the next ball would be right up there and a little voice told me to smack it for 4.   I made a full swing of the bat, unfortunately I was playing down the Bakerlooo and the ball was on the Piccadily line.

I was therefore bowled for 0 in two consecutive deliveries.   Imagine if it had been a no-ball, I could have been the first batsman in history to be the only victim in a hat trick.

My team mates did not fare much better as 7 other batsmen were clean bowled in our grand total of 38 all out.   A fairly comprehensive defeat, I am sure you will agree.

22nd July - We were hammered by Backworth for the second time this season and for the second time this season  I failed to trouble the Backworth scorer.   Quack quack ouch!   This report is very short and it nearly  took longer to type than I lasted at the wicket, nearly.   I lasted just 4 balls before my timbers were shivered.

19th July - Percy Main III's played a cup match against Benwell and Westerhope (only 1 team!) and it turned into a thriller of epic proportions.

Batting first we made a very respectable 110-6, sadly my contribution as opener was only 1 run (I was bowled by a beauty) but helped put on 20 for the first wicket.   At the other end Richie McSherry was was despatching the ball to all parts with ease.

In their reply Benwell were coasting along and were 104-2 with 3 overs left and their opening batsman still there on 72.   We got him out, then another (caught by me) and at the start of the last over the score was 108-4.   They were easily favourites to win.   I persuaded our young skipper, Craig Downey (with help from Tim) to bring himself back on for the final over.   He got a wicket first ball thanks to a great catch from our even younger 'keeper Chris (I think they are both 16 or 17 years old).  

Craig then bowled 3 dot balls at a very nervous new batsman.   Are you excited?   I was!
The penultimate delivery unfortunately went through young Chris for a bye, but no blame can possibly be attached as he had kept beautifully all night.   Last ball, they needed 1 to win by virtue of losing fewer wickets and it was obvious they would run whatever happened.

We closed in on the batsman completely encircling him with a ring  of fielders, none of whom were more than 20 yards away.   He hit it very well with venom to my right and as I swooped to field, it took a bobble on an old wicket.   Although I fielded the ball, or was it a bar of soap?, I could not get the thing into my hand properly to throw it.  

At this point I would like to swear, but as I have yet to use any bad language on my website thus far, will not do so now.   My fault?   I think it would be harsh to blame me, on the other hand, if I had collected the ball cleanly I would have been the hero for the night.   OK we lost - but as I said to the boys in the dressing room, we may have lost the match but we weren't losers.   Yes I talk a load of nonsense, I agree, but as ever - I was just happy to be there!

15th July - Once again Percy Main III's had an under strength team out against another pretty good side in the form of South North.   (I think it stands for South Northumberland).   I have to compliment all of the players who performed admirably in tonight's match and sometimes you just put your hands up and say , the better team won.

South North scored 103 - 4 in their 20 overs, with our young captain Craig Downey taking all 4 wickets to fall in his 6 over spell (the maximum allowed) for only 24 runs.   As we were walking from the field he again asked me if I would like to open the innings, yes I know it sounds crazy but honestly it's true.   Never one to shirk my responsibilities I agreed in an instant.

I got off the mark first ball with a streaky single down to third man and then watched in horror as my young opening partner perished second ball for 4.   Without wanting to sound as if I know what I am doing, I was seeing the ball comfortably and playing it from the middle of the bat.   Unfortunately I could not pierce the infield and all of my good shots (well I think they were) were finding fielders or being fielded very well.

I scored a couple of 2's and and two more steers to third man to move serenely on to 7.   Whilst I was meandering to my highest score so far in my cricket reincarnation 3 more wickets had gone at the other end.   So I had lost four partners, all capable batsmen, but also 11 overs had elapsed.   I was genuinely trying to score runs but was acutely aware of being behind the clock.

Tony Whayling came on as second change bowler and was deceptively 'quick'.   He bowled a shortish delivery to me which kicked up chest high,  as I had already committed myself to the hook shot was hit on the chest just above the heart by a glancing blow.   As I completed my pirouette I was mortified to find I had clipped the stumps with my foot and the bail dropped tantalisingly to the floor.  

G. Marsh  -  hit wicket  -  bowled  -   Whayling  -   7

I had batted for 41 minutes which in itself is OK but my score of 7 was not enough in a 20 over match, chasing 5 and a bit an over.   Still, I was just happy to be there. 

 I forgot to mention that I also bowled again and my 4 overs went for 25 runs at the end of the innings, 13 coming off the last.   We eventually lost the game by 40 runs as we finished on 63 - 8 off our 20 overs.   Craig Downey scoring 23 rapid runs in the last couple of overs to go down fighting.  

If I say so myself, I am getting there, SLOWLY but surely.

8th July - We had a severely weakened team playing this evening as a result of Archie winning tickets for the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and Ken Moore our regular opening batsman  unavailable.  

If nothing else Percy Main III's  are a plucky outfit and in our match against good opposition in the form of Benwell we did OK, with a little bit of help from cumulus and nimbus.

They scored 130 in their 20 overs for the loss of 3 wickets.   Are you ready for this?   I took 1-32 with my donkey droppers bowling at the end of the innings.   Not bad for a former wicket keeper who has never bowled in a serious game of cricket until these past few weeks.   As we were walking off our captain asked if I would like to open the batting....honestly!!!

Why not!   All padded up and showing no fear at all I batted for about 7 overs and managed to evade the bowling quite nicely with an assortment of leg byes and quick singles off the last ball.   I did face a few rapid deliveries from both bowlers and scored a very respectable 6 runs before being bowled by an inswinging yorker.   My score include a 4 straight past the bowler and it made a sweet sound as it clattered into the sightscreen.  

My hands are black and blue and the back of my right leg has a massive bruise on it, otherwise I am still in one piece.   Who knows where this may all lead.   Answer = Adelaide and Sydney.

When we were 42 - 4 after 11 overs the rain came down and there were also flashes of lightning around.   The umpire and two captains had no option but to declare a draw.

1st July - It's been a long search but my patience was rewarded in tonight's game against the club where Steve Harmison and his brothers all play their cricket.   The opponents were Ashington, also famous for Jackie Milburn and the Charlton brothers, Jack and Bobby.

Fair enough, the calibre of the bowling may not have been Test standard, but for the second time this season I  arrived at the wicket facing a hat trick delivery.   We needed another 12 runs for victory with 3.1 overs remaining and a touch of the collywobbles had set in.  

Displaying nerves of steel I averted the hat trick and got up to the batting end after 1 delivery of the next over.   I scored my first run in 'proper' cricket since my schooldays with a deliberate guide down to third man.   An ironic cheer emanated from the club Chairman, a certain Mr Dave Archbold, but I could sense it was a kindly cheer also.

With 2 overs remaining, I hit a classic on drive back over the bowler's head into the sight screen for 4 winning runs.   As Le Hunt, my golfing partner often says, "He's back!".

It's been not a bad week for me really.   ! Gold medal, 1 Silver medal, 2 Bronze medals and 5 runs.   I am just happy to be here.

Update 21st June - Enjoyed a good workout at our second net session yesterday.   I had a good bat (honestly) and looked as if I knew what I was doing.   I also had a long spell bowling which I enjoyed and I started to find a good rhythm, I think.

Re last week's PMCC III's match.   The two captain's had agreed to call the match off so that the players could watch the England v Switzerland game in Euro 2004.   So it turns out that I was not dropped,  just that the captain forgot to inform the infantry of the decision.   Phew!

I have not checked the scores from the county championships at the time of this update, but if Graeme Hick completes a century today (he was 70 odd not out overnight) he will pass W.G. Grace in the career hundred scoring stakes.   Not bad for a 'flat track bully'.  

Question -   How many first class hundreds has Graeme Hick scored, before today?

20th June - Edgbaston, the home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club for another meeting of GBTCC and a net at the indoor school.   The last time I was waiting for the others to arrive ex England opener Nick Knight spoke to me (well, he said "Hello").   Since then he has hit a purple patch and scored a load of runs for the Bears.

If I bump into him again I think I will say "Hello" to him this time.   It may help me to score at least 1 run!     

18th June '04 - I waited in vain for the call, I even rang Archie (I have a feeling he was away though) for details.   So instead of getting in the scorebook I settled for watching England beat the mighty Switzerland at Euro 2004, 3-0.

17th June '04 - I am sitting waiting for the phone to ring to inform me of my selection for tonight's match, but as yet it remains ominously silent.   Have I been dropped?   Have I bought a pair of pads and white cricket trousers and jumper in vain?    Will I get to score my first run(s) of the season?  The answer to all these questions and more - later.

10th June '04 - Oh dear!   The search goes on for my first run after my second consecutive duck.

Playing for Percy Main III's against an inspired County Club, who play their home games at Jesmond cricket ground, we fielded first.   I should say, we chased a leather ball around for the best part of 90 minutes.   The visitors amassed 177 off 20 overs.   Their opening batsman scored 122 of them and hit every bowler to all parts of Percy Main's scenic village ground.

I am reluctant to let the world know this, but I came on to bowl overs 13/15/17&19 when County Club were in full flow.   I was flighting the ball beautifully with a well disguised loop.   Unfortunately for me their batsman were sending the ball into outer space with an even better loop.   My 4 overs of controlled mayhem went for 48.   I did have 2 catches dropped but cannot blame the fielders as the ball came at them at something approaching the speed of light.

When it was our turn to bat I was at the wicket with the score on about 30 - 3.   I shared a partnership of 6 with 'stonewall' Moore, 5 of which were wides.   The only ball that was going to hit my stumps .......did just that.   I would like to say it was delivered at unplayable speed and swung in the air before seaming off the pitch.   However it wasn't / it didn't and it didn't do that either.   It was arrow straight, unfortunately my bat wasn't!

Still there is always next week (if selected).  

3rd June '04 - Very little play at Headingley for the first day of the second Test Match against New Zealand, much the same here on Tyneside.   I am still scoreless as once again my match for Percy Main III's was rained off.

For those of you who watch the Test on TV - The houses/hotels you can see at the Kirkstall Lane end are often shown full of fans watching the cricket.   Well, the one with the balcony is the Hotel Budapest and for the best part of 10 years I stayed there for the duration of the Leeds test against all of the touring sides.   It is a great place for watching the cricket and after match banter.   I always had a ticket to go into the ground too and my seat was on the front row of the cycle track in the Northern enclosure, just behind the bowler's arm.   I have not been back since my heart transplant but I am there in spirit.

Before I graduated to the full 5 days of Test match watching I used to always go for the first day of the Test.    I have been doing this since the 70's and am proud to say I was there in 1977 when Sir Geoffrey Boycott scored his 100th hundred against Australia.

1. Who was the bowler when he hit his 100th run?

2. Who was the non striking batsman with him?

I will be impressed if anyone can answer these two questions.   In fact I am so confident that no-one will, that I am offering 3 golf balls as a prize for the first correct answer in my 'Guest Book'       

25th May '04 - Graeme Hick may have his critics but I am definitely a fan of this class batsman, who I think had a raw deal at Test level.   Remember when Mike Atherton declared an innings in Australia when Hick was on the verge of his breakthrough maiden Test century?   I do.   
After scoring two double hundreds already this season Hick is once again at the top of the batting averages.   In fact he only needs another 357 runs to be the first batsman to score 1,000 runs before the end of May, the last batsman to achieve this ever rarer feat was.... Graeme Hick.
I mention this fact because I am still to score my first run of the season in this my embryonic second coming as a batsman.   I will have to wait a while yet because Percy Main III's do not have a game this week.   It's a cruel game!

24th May '04 -   England beat New Zealand in a fantastic first Test match at Lord's.   Andrew Strauss nearly wrote himself into cricket folklore by scoring two hundreds on his Test match debut.   Alas he was run out for 83 in his second knock.   I remember Lawrence Rowe achieving this feat but am not sure who the other batsman was.   Anyone out there know? let me know.
Nasser Hussain did score a hundred to steer home England in this wonderful advert for proper cricket.

Week 2 - 20th May 2004 - away v Newcastle City CC

I had been psyching myself up all day and even Mrs Boggy (my wife) had noticed how ratty I was, not like me at all.   I turned up at the ground, which is on the Great North Road beside Newcastle City Golf course.   It was a sunny evening with some menacing clouds in the distance and having lost the toss the opposition elected to bat.

After 10 overs the home team were 61-1 and looked to be in a good position to pile on the runs in the remaining 10 overs.   I think we were saved by the rain which came down for only about 15 minutes but was severe enough to completely flood the wicket.   The umpire (there was only one) had no choice but to abandon proceedings.

So for the second successive week I failed to trouble the scorers, but only because I did not get to bat.   I was really disappointed as I was genuinely looking forward to facing the allegedly fast bowlers of Newcastle City, but alas it was not to be.  

Will I ever score a run?   Find out next week.

Week 1 - 13th May 2004 - home v Backworth CC

I had some R&R in the afternoon and then it was off to PMCC for my eagerly anticipated debut.   I had to fight my way through the crowds and try and avoid the paparazzi but eventually made into into the excellent facility that is Percy Main Cricket Club.   By the way, if you believe the start of the last sentence you must be on more medication than I am.

We fielded first and I have to admit I dropped a catch, I put my hands up in self defence and the ball smashed into my chest as it came to me like a tracer bullet from the trees in the background (honestly).   My new team mates were as one in their cries of, "Well fielded Marshy", which was a nice gesture.  Some 120 runs later it was our turn to bat.

I was on the sheet as #5 in the batting order and my turn came very quickly as the score stuttered to 7 -3 and I had to face a hat trick ball.   The ball came at me and would have knocked middle stump out of the ground but my beautiful forward defensive shot made a delightful noise as the ball was safely negotiated off the middle of the bat.   I survived the over nicely and felt in good touch (I don't know how I could possibly know that as I had not really played properly since my school days, give or take a pub game or two).

I got up to the other end after one ball of the next over and played the first two deliveries off the middle of the bat again (honestly).   I was thinking to myself I could bat as long as I want, so was waiting for a bad delivery to come along.   The very next ball was coming at me at full toss height, albeit fairly quickly, and my eyes lit up.   I gave it a straight bat shot, but did not get too ambitious, and the ball sailed nicely into the hands of the grateful mid off halfway back to the boundary.  

G. Marsh c somebody b somebody else...................0.

I could have hit this particular delivery anywhere I wanted and I was out for a duck.   What can I say?    I was mortified and cried all the way back to the boundary edge to be consoled by my ex colleagues from Percy Main Amateurs F.C. who had gathered to watch this historic moment.   Amid a certain amount of hilarity it struck me that to be out as a batsman you do not get a second chance.   If only I could get back out there and have another go, instead I have to wait until next week.   Don't miss the second episode of the new blockbuster, "Will Marsh ever score a run?"

I can just about safely say it took me longer to write about my innings than it did to play it.

Inaugural meeting of the Club 

The Great Britain Transplant Cricket Club was officially born after our net session at the Edgbaston indoor school  on Sunday 9th May 2004.   A constitution was adopted and officers and committee were elected as follows.

Chairman - Alistair Hedderwick

Secretary - Colin Mitchell

Treasurer - Graham Marsh

Club Captain - Gareth Pollard

Vice Captain - Dave Parker

Committee members - Ian Hillier.

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This site was last updated 03/19/09