Weddings
First up – our musical theme, the classic; – Bruno Mars: Marry You
We got some great feedback last week after sharing a few photos from Brent Larkham’s fantastic wedding at Wandin Estate (Hunter Valley). It reminded us of other great weddings from our West Penno alumni that have all lasted the test of time. Here are just some of the weddings that are among our favourites:
Photos: 1). Brent Larkham & Sammy (8th March 2025); 2) Chris Williamson & Alexa (4th February 2022); Justin Paterson (19/10/2019); Alex Robertson & Paris (23/1/2016).
And then…our next generation West Penno family
After the weddings came our next generation of West Penno family…..
Photos: 1) Tilly Paterson (2018); 2) Bonnie Williamson (2024); 3) Corey ‘James’ Smyth (2012) 4) James Makin with Jack and Oliver (March 2012).
Our elite performers
With the regular season now over our top 5 performers are listed below. Performances in the Semi Finals are included in the year-end rankings. Well done to our ‘elite’:
Top 5 batters
- Chintan Shah (C4 White) – 474 runs @ 43.0
- Vinoth Sambasivam (D2) – 472 runs @ 49.0
- Ben Dunkerley (C1) – 438 runs @ 49.0
- Mridul Das (C4 Red) – 436 runs @ 38.0
- Raynaldo Howard (C4 Red) – 405 runs @ 41.0
Top 5 bowlers
- Brahadesh ‘Ram’ Ramamurthy (C4 Red) – 31 wickets @ 10.3
- Pritam Dhamija (C4 White) – 30 wickets @ 10.9
- Todd Hutchinson (A2 Red) – 25 wickets @ 19.6
- Reyhan Ahmed (C1) – 25 wickets @ 15.1
- Manraj Singh (D1 Red) – 25 wickets @ 16.6
Top 5 wicket-keepers
- Ian Digby (D1 Red) – 18 dismissals (11 catches & 7 stumpings)
- Nic Price (C1) – 14 dismissals (12 catches & 2 stumpings)
- Sahil Kirpalani – 13 (12 catches & 1 stumping)
- Cameron Bish (B1 Red) – 13 (11 catches & 1 stumping)
- Reynaldo Howard (C4 Red) – 11 dismissals (10 catches & 1 stumping).
Photos: Chintan Shan (left) with Anubhav Ghatak; 2) ‘Ram’ Ramamurthy after taking 10 wickets in a match last weekend; 3) Ian Diggers Digby (left, with Rob Hanich).
1,000 runs in a season
While on ‘elite’ players how about Harry Whitehouse (C3) who is only 14 years old and on his way to very high levels of cricket. As expected, Harry plays Juniors Mixed, Reps and ofcourse Seniors as an opening bat…so lots of cricket but also lots of runs.
This season, so far, he has scored 1,051 runs at 29.2 with a high score of 100 no in Juniors and 67* in Seniors. He has also taken 24 wickets at 16.9 including a best of 4/6!
We have had a number of players who have scored over 1,000 runs in a season over the years and they have all gone on to big things.
He has already scored 2,801 runs at 32.9 and taken 85 wickets!
Good luck in the Semi Final Harry.
Photo: Harry with Yellow Wiggle Greg Page.
What would your Decision be? The Questions
Question 1
The striker attempts a hook shot to a short delivery, but only manages a top edge which flies towards a fielder positioned at fine leg who completes the catch. However, when playing at the ball, the striker steps back, breaking the wicket. Upon appeal, what action shall either umpire take?
Question 2
As the ball comes into play the striker has taken a stance as a right hander, but during the bowler’s delivery stride the striker changes his stance, setting himself as a left hander and shaping to play a switch hit.
The delivery pitches outside a right-hander’s leg stump.
It’s missed by the striker standing now as left-hander and hits his pad in line wicket to wicket and would have gone onto hit the stumps.
How shall the umpire answer an appeal from the fielding side for LBW?
Photo: legendary Association Umpire, Life Member & Coaches’ Association supremo – Bruce Wood during this week
What would your Decision be? The Answers
Question 1
The striker shall be dismissed following the appeal, with Caught to take precedence. However, the mode of dismissal could be Hit wicket. This will be dependent upon the timing of the appeal, and the action, if any, of the striker’s end umpire. Laws 33.5 and 35.
Tom Smith’s – Caught to take precedence
It has already been stated in Law 32 that Bowled takes precedence over any other form of dismissal. Caught is next in priority, taking precedence over everything except Bowled. If, for instance, the striker made an illegal second strike, this would mean that he/she was out Hit the ball twice. If, however, one of these strikes was with the bat and the ball was caught without being grounded at any point, the striker would be out Caught, even though the second strike came before the catch.
There is a slight complication here, however. The ball becomes dead, automatically, at the fall of the wicket, as in Law 20.1.1.3. Therefore, if more than one dismissal is theoretically possible, but an umpire gives a decision on one of those methods before the other is completed, it is the first decision that counts.
For example, a batter may stand on his/her stumps while playing a pull shot into the air. If the batter is out Hit wicket while the ball is in the air, the umpire should wait to see if the catch is taken, and if it is, he/she should give the batter out Caught – should the catch not be taken, the SE umpire can then give the batter out Hit Wicket.
However, if the umpire does not wait, and instead gives the batter out before the catch is taken, then the dismissal is Hit wicket.
Question 2
The bowler’s end umpire shall answer the appeal Not out as the ball has pitched outside the line of leg stump. Laws 36 and 20.5.
The off side of the striker’s wicket shall be determined by the striker’s batting position at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery.
The ball comes into play when the bowler starts his/her run up or, if there is no run-up, starts with his/her bowling action.