A1 numbers

Everyone who plays for West Penno is privileged to play for one of the best Clubs in Australia – a claim supported by Cricket Australia through many national awards. Since 1930 we have entered an amazing 499 Senior Teams! Working on the basis of an average of 15 registered players / Team this means that we have had around 7,485 senior players play under our banner.

To play A1 is both an honour and privilege. Last weekend, John Anderson was presented with his A1 numbered cap and playing shirt – #333. This means that to play A1 Grade places you among the top 4% of the players in our 93 year history.

For info, we have also had just 25 x A1 Captains since our first A1 side played in 1951/52 – just 0.3% of our playing base. In A1 this season we have Cameron McBrien (Captain #25) and James Makin (#22) both playing A1.

The A1 number register was developed by James Makin and it is rare for Community Clubs who have such a long history to have these records.

Just on our Captains, in all Grades, we have had 499 Seniors Captains in our history – just 6% of all of our players have achieved this important Leadership role.

So for all our Players, in every Grade – well done. To our A1 Graders, take a moment to reflect on the footsteps of those past players who have made all this possible.

Photo: James Makin’s player shirt with Captains number.

Is there anything she can’t do?

At the 2^nd T20 Australia Vs West Indies game played at North Sydney Oval on the 2^nd October, Danielle Chivers was the Team Manager for the West Indies.

This is yet another remarkable achievement for Danielle who is just 19 years of age. As background, Danielle played all her Junior cricket for West Penno – starting in Kanga cricket and playing Girls cricket for us. How about this for a record of achievements:

• In 2014, Danni became the first female to Captain a West Penno (Mixed) side – the U14 touring side that went to Tamworth. Playing in that side are current day players Hiresh De Silva (C4), Lachlan Edwards & Jack Hutchinson (B1)
• She is the youngest member of our Club Executive we have ever – 93 years of Club history with her Leadership of the Cricket Blast program
• In 2020, she was awarded the prestigious ‘Young Community Leader of the Year’ by both CNSW and Cricket Australia
• In 2021 she had a meeting room named after her in CNSW head office in recognition of her amazing volunteer contribution
• In 2022 Danni was also selected in Northern District Premier 1^st Grade cricket Team

Not sure where this story will end but Danni’s achievements have been amazing with so much more to achieve. Well done Danni.

Photo: Danielle Chivers as Manager of the West Indies Women’s Team Vs Australia @ North Sydney Oval – 2^nd October 2023.

It doesn’t get much better

We have had a great rivalry with many Clubs over the years – Mt Colah back in the 1970s, Kenthurst in the 1980s and ARL in the early / mid 2000’s. Our current ‘rivalry’ is with the great Berowra Club – both Clubs take pleasure being on the winning side of the ledger – in a good but competitive way.

So last week it was our turn to take the winners spoils in C2 at Campbell Park. We finished with 9/373 with Rishab Iyer scoring 163 in just 42 overs. This is the equal 23^rd highest score in our history and is just 62 runs short of our highest ever score of 225 scored way back in 1956/57.

Malaysian racing

Got this great photo from Cameron Croucher C3 Red (Fieds). For those who don’t know, Cameron’s job that he  transports horse, and particularly thoroughbreds, around the world. His clients include the Queen of England, Olympic Para Olympic horses plus horses for the Saudi Kings and Princes. He has also been an invited guest to Royal Ascot as an owner of a horse that raced against the Queen’s horses.

One other thing, Cameron’s family also owns a brewery in New Zealand – Croucher Brewing

Anyway, last weekend, Cameron was at Kuala Lumpur with work and got to watch the races plus a game of cricket at the same time. As Cam rightly says – “a great use of land”.

Photo: The Selangor Turf Club and cricket game at Kuala Lumpar – 6 October 2023

Breaking the drought – the inside story

Last week we reported that Steve Quanborough took his first wicket since 16^th January 2021 – 994 days between drinks! This moved him to 196 wickets or equal 47^th on the all-time wicket takers list. This drought is due solely Quan playing in Teams who basically, can’t catch.

This wicket also took some time in coming. To quote Quan:

“…a catch was dropped in the first over, a stumping, stumping chance in 3^rd but batsman apparently got bac”

So… here’s hoping that the flood gates open and Quan powers past the 200 mark quickly.

Photo: Steve Quanborough & James Makin – Pre-season training – John Purchase nets – August 2022