2000-01
Congratulations to the following players and teams for their outstanding performances for KCC during the 2000-01 season.
ME
Honour Board
END
OF YEAR REPORT
for season 2000-01
Overall the cricket section has had a good season, having had the opportunity of winning three out of the four HKCA main trophies. It has been an interesting year and most of the Committee's objectives mentioned at the last AGM have been achieved. Not only has the section worked more smoothly than in the past but the committee has implemented certain administrative procedures which will help to eliminate problems & misunderstandings. This is not to imply that everything is fine and additional work is necessary to take the section to the next level.
The section recruited a few good new players for the beginning of the season & they have supported the section well, showing that they have a good future at KCC. Re- balancing the teams was achieved with a fair amount of success thanks to the corporation of several members of the section but particularly to Ravi Sujanani for assuming additional responsibilities beyond the call of duty. To captain Saracens and also Infidels is a major feat. In addition, he captained the Hornets in the Sunday Cup and was also vice-captain for the Fincher shield.
All three Saturdays sides performed well with the honours going to Tatars for winning the League and coming runners up in the Saturday Cup. It has been quite a few years since any side at KCC accomplished such a feat. Full credit to TR Kalyanarrman and his team for their achievement. Crusaders, captained by Greame Jardine came second in League to insure that the top of the table was dominated by KCC. Saracens had a fairly typical season, beating the stronger sides & losing their concentration with the weaker teams. As with all the past captains Ravi had his fair share of problems from his 10 vice captains.
The three Sunday sides performed reasonably well, with Infidels finishing near the top of the table. Unfortunately in December there were many absentees and several crucial matches were lost. Templars had an indifferent season but certain individuals performed well. Under their new captain Anurag and hopefully with the re- balancing of the sides, they should have a good season. The Colts had an improved season, notching up some reasonable scores but losing out when regular players were unavailable due to studies. As experience and match practice increased, certain players produced good individual performances. Full credit to Tony and Maurice for insuring the morale and the spirit of the team remained high throughout the season. It is our objective to encourage and bring along the youngsters in our section, as they are the future of this club. We have also encouraged younger players to come on tours and this has also worked successfully. Unfortunately, when most of the youngsters reach maturity they go abroad to study. However, in the near future we are expecting some of them to return to boost the performance of the Colts.
The Wasps and Hornets had a sucessful run in the Sunday Cup & with a little luck either of the sides could have won the Cup. Hornets narrowly lost in the finals to Vagabonds.
The Interports played in Bangkok between Singapore and RBSC was a success story. Our touring side won both matches with a nail-biting finish against Singapore. Iftikar & Nazam, the younger players in the side showed maturity against strong opposition. With the initial air ticketing problems, it was thanks to David Arthur & Tony Correa that the team finally managed to get to Bangkok. Everybody played exceptionally well with Bharat Gohel taking the most wickets and Ray Brewster scoring the most runs.
Inter-club section social matches took place in April & May when the cricket section played the lawn bowlers & Sunday Morners Tennis players. They were entertaining matches & modesty prevents the publication of the final scores.
Awards
- Sunday batsman of the year – is Damian Green for his outstanding achievement of 969 runs, 7X 50 and 2X100. In addition he took 11 catches.
- Sunday bowler of the year - Fiazi Khan took 29 wickets at an average of 20.10, in 122.3 overs.
- Saturday batsman of the year - Rahul scored 1168 runs with an average of 166.86, including 7x100 & 2x50. An excellent achievement.
- Saturday bowler of the year - Mohanna Marzook who took 22 wicket, averages 15.73, in 346 overs.
- The J. Vachha trophy (Interport with RBSC), man of the match trophy – is Ray Brewster for scoring 100 runs n.o. against RBSC.
- Best performance of the Year – Dyutish Chaurhui for his exceptional knock of 81 runs against the Pakistan Assoc. in the Sunday cup.
- Most improved Colt’s player- Iftikar Ahmed.
Other worthy performances during the season are: -
- Saturday batsmen -Simon Scanlon with 429 runs, Anoop Nainani 459 runs, Sher Lama 419 runs, TR for his knock of 170 no.
- Saturday bowlers- Damian Green, Rahul, Yarman, and Bharat 19 wickets respectively & Imran Farcy 15 wickets,
- Sunday batsmen - Mark Eames 720 runs, Rahul 581, TR 369 RUNS
- Sunday bowlers -- Imran Farcy 29 wickets & Rahul 19 wickets.
- Rob Gill's 4 consequtive sixes from 6 balls to win the match against HKU on the last ball.
Congratulations to those who were chosen for the last ICC and also those chosen to represent Hong Kong in Canada this month. KCC & it’s players have contributed much to the success of the HK team.
Grounds Report
At the start of the season, the wicket was not playing as well as expected. Simon Scanlon has done a good job in improving the wicket & ground and we have also managed to play more Saturday matches on grass than ever before. Mark Claes, a turf expert from Australia, was hired as a consultant. Later Richard Winter (head groundsman from the WACA) was asked to provide a program to improve the wicket, ground & drainage. It was discovered that the square had not been laid properly and consequently we cannot have a sustainable wicket. Richard Winter has presented a report, which will improve the entire ground. The execution of his recommendations is subject to financial approval.
Tours & visits were made by the teams & individuals listed below : -
- The Hollywood Golden Oldies.
- Darrel Hair, international umpire.
- The British Embassy, Tokyo .
- Sir Richard Hadlee.
- Melbourne Cricket Club.
- Marylebone Cricket Club.
- Mark Taylor and Doug Walters.
- The Bangkok Interport Tour.
- The WACA ground.
All these visits are beneficial and serve to enhance and strengthen the section.
Events for next season are: -
- Singapore Cricket Club in April/May 2002 to celebrate its 100th anniversary and play the interports.
- A tour to India at CNY 2002.
- The International cricket sixes in November 2001.
- A Festival of Cricket with cricketers from UK in March 2002.
The new committee are:-
- Captain of Cricket -Burji Shroff.
- Secretary- David Arthur.
- Captain of Tartars- TR Kalyanaraman.
- Captain of Crusaders- Graeme Jardine.
- Captain of Saracens- Ravi Sujanani.
- Captain of Colts- Anthony Corrrea.
- Captain of Infidels- Damian Green.
- Captain of Templars- Anuraag Bhatnagar
- Simon Scanlon & Travis Pitman have been co-opted onto the committee
Overall it has been a good season, not solely measured in terms of trophies but in the achievement of definite goals. Our thanks to Fortis Bank who sponsored the section & it is hoped that they will continue. We bid farewell to David Clinton who retires & returns to UK. His contribution to KCC started in 1972 and has been much appreciated . We wish him & his family good luck for the future.
- Burji Shroff