Effingham Cricket Club Down-Under

Members of Effingham Cricket Club have recently returned home from a tour to Australia to watch the Ashes.

Starting in Adelaide and ending in Sydney, the tourists were treated to some excellent cricket, including England’s first test win in Australia since 2011 at the MCG, while they took in some of the famous landmarks and beautiful scenery of the country.

On January 2, Effingham reached the focal point of the tour; a match against the Manly Waratahs.

A squad of 16 led by captain Alex Cooper took on a similarly sized Waratahs squad as they competed for the ‘Alternative Ashes’.

A return fixture from a 2013 encounter hosted by Effingham, this match took place at the beautiful Manly Oval, a ground that has previously hosted international fixtures as well as being just a stone’s throw away from the famous Manly beach.

Bowling first, the Ships struggled to reign in the Manly top order in the heat despite an inspired rendition of Jerusalem from the stands, with three of their batsmen retiring on 40 despite Cooper removing one of the openers early on. Following this, led by a superb spell of bowling from Harrison Green (4 for 19), Effingham managed to restrict a free-flowing Manly batting line up to 247 from their 45 overs.

In response, the chase began well, with openers Benji Thomas (41*) and Cameron Walters (28) playing some sumptuous strokes as they put on 50 for the first wicket. Following this, despite many of the Effingham batsmen contributing with good 20s and 30s, wickets fell at regular intervals leaving the Ships behind the run rate with only a few wickets left. A late partnership from Jacob Burgess and Mat Meers, the only player who plays for both clubs and chief organiser of the fixture, saw the Ships get close, but unfortunately the away team finished on 241, six runs short of parity.

The game itself was covered on both local Sydney and Surrey radio, providing supporters coverage of at least one competitive English side in Sydney.

Post match, Effingham were treated to a presentation that involved the swapping of club hats and ties, the awarding of player of the match (Benji Thomas picked up the award for the Ships), and a history of cricket in Manly, which began shortly after Effingham CC was formed in 1853.

After this, more merriment ensued, with the hosts treating Effingham to a view of their various post-win rituals, including a rendition of their club song and a meal at the local Steynes Hotel.

Manly Waratahs 247 (S Callow 49*, H Green 4-19) beat Effingham 241 (B Thomas 41*, A Callow 3-47)