Heligoland Pilgrims Cricket Club

Southern hospitality

When the Pilgrims arrived at the Dunsborough Cricket Club on a sterling Friday afternoon, there were three large eskys waiting to be filled with ERDINGER refreshments and a dozen bags of ice. This “cool” welcome was just what the Pilgrims wanted, and from then on, the DCC players and members made the Pilgrims feel very welcome indeed.

As Cam M., the DCC captain, said after the game, “Cricket was the winner.” It certainly was. But it is the opinion of this scribe, and I’m certain the Pilgrims will agree, that “community” was the true winner. Not only had DCC prepared a sublime turf wicket, but plenty of locals came out to support the spectacle and throw back some German beers. There was a barbecue with burgers and sausages. There was a digital scoreboard, shedding light on the score when the sun went down. There was music. There were tents. Kids played. Dogs ran around. Another cricket game got going on the adjacent field, with players in shorts, some running around barefoot and fielding positions marked by bottles. People circling the oval stopped to watch. It was just a wonderful community atmosphere all around.

While the match had a smattering of good performances and quality play, and was enjoyed by all the players involved, it seemed somehow secondary to the event itself: the community of Dunsborough doling out the hospitality to a visiting cricket team from as far away as Germany. When the afternoon turned to evening and the shadows crept further across the ground, adding a bit of a chill to the air, the warm atmosphere never abated. And by the end, the eskys were just about empty.

Before the match, the Pilgrims were presented with a quandary absent from the previous four matches. With a squad of 14 (semi-fit) players, two needed to sit out. After some discussion and horse-trading, Dev and Ankit very kindly raised their hands. Ankit went further, by umpiring the whole match, suitably dressed in a golden tour shirt and his club blazer, while Dev assisted with scoring and drinks, and was the team’s number one fan. Full credit to both of these fine Pilgrims.

I guess we need some details of the match, after all. The Pilgrims bowled first. Like all pitches in Australia, the Dunsborough deck is laid north-south, which meant one bowler has to toil into the wind. Bipin (with the wind) and Su (into the wind) opened proceedings, with Bipin (1/33) snatching a wicket in his first over. But the DCC batters were well-equipped and runs started to flow. Gary (18*) and Tom (29*) were both retired. Johann (1/14) snagged a wicket. Then Abhik took the ball and bowled a fantastic second spell into the wind, castling three of the able batters (4-0-17-3).

After that, the Pilgrims seemed to be running on tired legs, as numerous catches were dropped by almost everyone, fielders stood in no-man’s land, and the bowling was punished. Chris (46*), Darcy (32*) and Michael (24*) all got into the plundering, as DCC finished with 5/209 off 25 overs. Both teams received warm applause as they left the field for the innings break.

DCC started their innings with some fine fast bowling and a West Indies style field setting with three slips and a gully. Anthony, Darcy and Tom all took wickets as the Pilgrims were reduced to 3/7. But then, something took everyone by surprise. Mithun and Jasveer joined forces for the best partnership (and batting) of the tour so far. They faced down the fiery fast bowlers and took it right to them, combining for 76 runs in 9 overs, to resuscitate the Pilgrims and entertain the crowd. Mithun (47) was cavalier and swashbuckling, while Jasveer (46) was disciplined and controlled. Both fully deserved to make 50, and everyone was disappointed when both fell just short.

With those two gone (sent off to handshakes and appreciative applause), the Pilgrims rearguard ended. Cam (25) threatened to contribute, but was bowled around his legs by a peach from leg-spinner Tim. The Pilgrims again batted out the overs, finishing 9/154, with Moritz (2*) and his son Johann (1*, a celebrated first run down untder) still at the crease.

As with previous games on this tour, the Pilgrims showed that they can certainly match it with their opponents, if only for patches and not the entire game.

A large crowd gathered to clap the players off and participate in the presentations. As the best batter, Chris received a Pilgrims baggy cap. Mohan, the best bowler, got the match ball. Umpire Simon eagerly donned a golden Pilgrims tour shirt. For his amazing organisational work and leading the way with hospitality, Cam M. was awarded a copy of Quintus Huntley: Botany from Royce Leville.

The grill was fired up, enabling players and spectators to enjoy hamburgers. A cake was brought out by Alan and Anne Jefferys for birthday-boy Moritz (60*) and everyone sang Happy Birthday. A few Pilgrims players wandered out onto the dark oval, to take in the glorious southern night sky. A sparkling end to a sparkling day.

Heligoland Pilgrims: Chris (c), Dan (vc), Abhik, Bipin, Cam, David (wk 2), Jasveer, Johann, Mithun (wk 1), Moritz, Stewart, Su

DCC XI: Cam (c), Anthony, Ben, Chris, Darcy C., Darcy H., Gary, Michael, Mohan, Tim, Tom O., Tom R.

Scorers: Paul

Umpires: Simon, Ankit

Support: Dev, Rike, Alan and Anne

Report: Royce Leville

Photography:

The grommets of Margaret River

In Australian parlance (yes, Strine is actually considered an English dialect), a grommet is a term used (sometimes affectionately, sometimes derogatorily) to describe talented young surfers. On a crisp, windy morning in Margaret River (the surf mecca of Western Australia), a collection of cricket grommets from the region, under the watchful eye of local teacher Shane, gathered at the Western Oval to take on a sluggish Pilgrims team, already a bit sore and tired from three games in five days and hundreds of kilometres on the road.

In a rather one-sided match, it was left to the Pilgrims’ own grommet, young Johann, to carry the flag.

This match report requires getting into an awkward stance to play a reverse sweep. Because, technically, Jasveer, captain for the day, won the toss and batted. But that’s not helpful. The reverse sweep has sent the ball far over the boundary, and instead, the team comprised of local talents from the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association batted, making an impressive 8/202 off 30 overs. Spencer looked very assured at the crease, while father-son combo Shane and Sam both hit the ball very cleanly in a shared partnership. The Pilgrims tried hard, with Su(1/8), Chris 1/16), Mithun (1/16) and Ankit (1/18) all picking up wickets. Some neat catches were held (with Moritz becoming the first German to take an unlikely catch in Australia, running sideways towards deep square leg), but generally, the grommets sent the ball to all parts of the field with ease.

Towards the end, Jasveer threw the ball to Johann (0.5-0-2-2), who promptly took a wicket with his very first delivery down under, Cam hanging onto the catch at mid-on by some miracle, as the ball had gone right into the sun. Johann followed this with two more wickets, and could have had five, if only a few more catches had stuck. These wickets came after Johann showed the most intent and energy of all the fielders, barrelling around the field at full pace to chase the ball in the outfield.

In “reply”, the Pilgrims meandered to 9/152 off 30 overs, anchored by Stewart’s stoic 38* (off 60 balls). Jasveer (27), Abhik (23) and Cam (21) all fell trying to accelerate a run-rate being undermined by leaves and dot-balls. The best of the 11 spinners was Xavier, who took 2/9 off a pair of tight, parabolic overs. The grommets were very good in the field, holding catches and stopping the ball; not a single one of them was sent to patrol a boundary.

This meant the “result” was that the Pilgrims lost by 50 runs. And I think we will stick with that. For his marvellous and youthful efforts, Johann was awarded the match ball. For his grinding innings, Stewart also received a match ball. Spencer got a baggy cap for his batting and good spirit. Danny received a green Pilgrims tour shirt for umpiring (thanks, Danny!). And Shane was presented with a copy of Quintus Huntley: Botany (the treasurer’s latest book) for his organisational work and for being a benchmark of stylish and powerful batting.

The early morning start against a squad of grommets left a lot of Erdinger refreshments still in boxes. These were duly donated to the Margaret River Hawks Cricket Club and will no doubt be enjoyed by club members in the days and weeks to come. The Pilgrims adjourned to sun protected terrace of the Margaret River Brewhouse for lunch and to toast Johann’s success with the ball. Well done, German grommet!

Heligoland Pilgrims: Jasveer (c), Ankit (vc), Abhik, Cam, Chris, David (wk 1), Devadas, Johann, Mithun (wk 2), Moritz, Stewart, Su

BMRCA XI: Shane (c), Dillon, Sam, Sean, Spencer (wk), Will, Xavier, Zander

Scorers: Paul

Umpires: Danny

Support: Alan and Anne

Report: Royce Leville

Photography: