April 25, 2025 • 58 mins
The 2025 season is officially underway, and we’re kicking things off with a bumper Easter weekend review. We break down the Good Friday showdown with the Deccan Chargers, celebrate our Ron Singleton Trophy win over rivals Burnley, and take a look at a strong league start against Darwen.
We’re also joined by Tom Walker, who talks us through his brilliant century and shares insights from a weekend full of action.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
George, just unmute yourself again.
What's going on there? It's like it's like being in a
chimps tip party. Is it?
Smile Club meeting. I thought I could hear a Gavin
background. No, it's just a generic Burnley
(00:22):
accent. You look a bit grumpy.
Joy. Is everything all right?
You look a bit. You look a bit grumpy.
No, I'm fine all. Right.
OK, Do you insist? No, I'm really excited.
Tell you first I mean. I can't smile anymore, just look
(00:50):
demented if I do that. Don't you look lovely?
(01:13):
Holden Holden send more house tosave the house.
Hello everyone and welcome to the Lower House Cricket Club
podcast, The House Cast. It's been a bizarre couple of
weeks. Some great recording, some great
(01:35):
sport over the Easter weekend, which I'm no doubt we're going
to, and we've got the April drawto do.
Got a great guest on tonight who's who's performances over
the weekend are quite outstanding and I want to get
into him and chat about how thatwent.
(01:56):
But we'll come on and introduce him in a minute.
We'll just go around the table. Dooch, you're at home all night
and peaceful. You enjoy last weekend.
Yes, I did, yeah. Very good weekend.
Great to be back watching cricket in the sunshine as well,
which is great and obviously we played very well, so all good.
Yeah, yeah. And it is for the start season
(02:19):
like you said, the pictures are unreal with the the lack of rain
and the banks and a firm is it he's looking really good.
Gary, welcome, welcome and thanks very much for coming to
Co host this. I'm sure you'll have kept
yourself abreast of the weekends.
Hello, House results for other sports.
(02:40):
How are you doing? Yeah, we're all good, Jess.
Thanks. Yeah, it was surprising when I
switched on to stream. I thought I were like looking at
Sara Desert or something. I've never seen it as Brian or
as Bear at this time of year, ever it were.
It was bizarre. I found to see Frankenstein
chatting back roller genuinely. We're going to disconnect and
(03:01):
just check me. Check me.
YouTube channels have been hacked.
Thought you were. Thought you were dialling into
Della. Yeah, we still like that.
It were bizarre. We're we're in camera.
Does it actually look like that?No, it does.
It's and again, you know, the way Stan and his team manage it,
(03:24):
they're just taking the right amount off at the moment.
The outfield's looking great because of all the, the, the
work that was done out in the winter and I think they're
managing it really quite well. Gary, it's a little bit, if you
remember, it hasn't gone dusty or sandy yet.
So there's still quite a bit of bounce there.
So there's a little bit of moisture, but they leave in a
(03:47):
little bit more grass on the used to when we played in July
and August and it was like that.But I was chatting to Blaze Gary
during the game on Sunday and helike in the last last season,
exactly the same time, I think with three lakes around the
ground. There's one down at the bottom
near the greens up there, one atthe top that was gushing out of
(04:08):
the lake. And it's just, you know, it's
where the climate is. But Stan's doing a great job on
his team in managing it to. But we'll get on to Joe Martin
and our guest as to how it played.
Joe Martin, I know you're on mute and you you seem like
you're in a nightclub in in Manchester somewhere.
Is it still as noisy or have youmoved positions?
(04:30):
I haven't moved positions, I imagine it's probably still as
noisy and whilst I'm obviously afrequent attendee of Manchester
night clubs, I'm not that I'm atthe club.
You're at the Cricket Club, all right.
OK, I thought they have who's? Making all the noise Your Come
on, name names. Who's making all the noise?
Well, my dad's here. Raucous, raucous character.
(04:55):
Any others? Yeah, Greg, Greg curse here,
Roger. I'm surprised.
At all, Sam, Mick Smith, Mark White.
Yeah. Come up for a drink every night.
It's really good. Times have changed guys, if you
(05:17):
remember we'd we used to be training and then we'd we'd have
a few pints as even spectators come up nice.
So thanks very much Joe and thanks Joe for organising
tonight's guest. If I can just do a bit of
background about who he is, he joined us two or three years ago
(05:37):
from another Langford League club.
You know a bit of controversy but I think everything well went
well and for the right reasons. A young lad who is mad keen
worked so hard as it at his cricket and you can see him
improve game by game when take to Australia this winter to to
improve himself and and his cricket and it's come back I
(06:00):
personally think with an extra at least yard if not 2 yards a
pace on and his battings excel this cell.
So our special guest tonight is Tom Walker.
Welcome on Tom. How you doing?
Thank you very much, gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be here.
Yeah, pleasure. Absolute pleasure.
Good. No, I really appreciate it.
(06:22):
Certainly. I mean, we only did a podcast
last week, but we thought we'd squeeze another one in because
of the way the the sporting events went this weekend.
So Tom, just give us a little bit of, you know, what's going
on in the last, you know, 12 months you've been over in
Australia, you've come back and,and you're looking great.
Nick, are you feeling good aboutyour cricket to you?
(06:43):
Are you looking forward to the summer?
Yeah, no, really excited becauseit was a great weekend for us,
for the boys. The second's got to win as well.
So it was a really, it was a collective weekend, very good
weekend. Like what I've been doing over
the past 12 months. I've so last year was meant to
be, but what I was thinking was going to be my last year, like
(07:08):
here for a while, at lower housefor a while, went over to
Australia, played cricket there,played some really good standard
and probably a lot better than Iam.
But yeah, definitely I feel likeimproved my game a lot.
And then Ben and Selfie, the proasked me if I'd be interested in
(07:29):
coming back for another season. And then yeah, really, really
kind of excited for the season. I feel like the group we've got
at the moment is one of the bestI've been involved in anyways.
Like no matter in England or Australia, it's like such a
tight knit group at the moment. A lot of people know the games
really well. We have like a really clear game
(07:49):
plan as well. No matter kind of what the what
the team we're going to, we're going to always take them on.
So yeah, I'm, I'm really excitedto be back.
And it it must be quite because you're at the right age, you're
obviously, you know, fit as a butcher's dog, the way I can see
the way you run in and you just don't give up.
(08:12):
And so it's a good time for you to be with the likes of the pro
down and, and obviously Ben's thinking, are they looking to
change your game at all from what you were 12 months ago and
the way you battered? Or is it just a case of be
yourself? I think it's more, I think it's
more be be myself and just like a big thing that Ben and Don are
(08:38):
mentioning at the moment. And obviously Joe will be able
to comment on this as well and Dutch as well.
It's like if if you get out playing the shot that you think
was right or if you get out taking the game on, then there's
not going to be one comment in the dressing room.
And I think that's a really likepowerful thing to have from a
batting group. And just kind of like if you had
(08:58):
any nerves about losing your wicket, you don't anymore.
And it's even like rubbing off on the likes like Henry and
Charlie, like Charlie Gansler both both days this weekend hit.
I think he's like second or third ball for four down the
ground, like running at spin. And you just like I, I just the
difference between last year andthis year, I think is that and
(09:19):
it's just like that freedom to, to play, I guess.
Yeah, and it is, I mean, it's sorefreshing to hear, you know,
what you're saying and confirming.
We had done on on the podcast last year and he said that.
And it's a little bit like, you know, I know it's national team,
but the way Brenda Mccullen seems to play is, you know, No
Fear. Believe in yourself.
(09:39):
And if you get out and it's for the right reasons and for the,
you know, doing the right things, then it's only a game.
You know, no one's going to die.You know, if you lose, you lose.
And I do sometimes wonder, you know, going back, Gary's just
dropped off the call, but when he comes back on, there is 100%
going back to, you know, and I, what was that play 80s, nineties
(10:02):
and 2000. There was always a fear if, if I
get out, we're going to lose this.
And, and that attitude of take it on yourself and there's no
one else that can do it. So it is, it's such a
generational thing and things are changing it and it reflects,
you can see from us watching on the side how how good it's
looking. Joe Martin, is that something
(10:23):
that you're, you're a laid back character.
You, you know, you've played so many games, you take things on
as as it goes long. Is that just something you can
manage and keep going with? Yeah, I think so.
I think I'm probably in a slightly different position to
Tom in that I hope that anymore.But I think that as a
(10:49):
collective, it's it's, it's not just about your own, it's not
just about your own game. It's about making sure that you
are supporting everybody else tomake sure that they're confident
in, in making sure that they canexecute their skills how they
want and and their game plan so that they there aren't any half
(11:12):
measures, I guess. So if they're going to play any
particular shot or ball, a particular ball, ball particular
plan that we're backing them 100% to succeed in that.
So I think it's probably to deflect away from from my all
game. It's more of a collective,
collective effort to make sure that we're all pulling in the
(11:35):
same direction. And it is I was chatting to do
to you later that weekend and a few others.
We used to Gary, we were just chatting there and if you were
still listening when you droppedoff about how this side, when we
played, I, I mentioned just say Gary that when we played it, it
did matter. You were a case of if we get
(11:57):
beat it's the end of the world. If I don't get 5 wickets so you
don't get 50, then you know everyone's disappointed.
I wonder how that mentality has changed.
How do you think of that Gary? Because that's how Loris are
playing now. I can assure you're watching
them. How do you think that's changed
and why didn't we do it? Better players, Jess, I think.
Yeah, I suppose. Yeah.
(12:18):
I don't mean that late, but the confidence that they've got is
agree. I mean, obviously Ben mentioned
it on the podcast last week about about their approach and
that came through clear in this weekend's.
But yeah, you you've got to have, I mean, 1 to 11.
(12:39):
They're all, they're all, they're all top quality players,
but it'd have been two or three employing our team at best, you
know, who could back themselves to that extent.
But the weight of the responsibility that if they
don't, if they play a stupid shot or don't come off, rest of
the team who aren't going to muster another thirty runs, you
know, I think, I think that's the difference jersey, if I'm
(13:01):
honest. And and it's a different
mentality all through cricket all together.
It just wasn't the thing in the early 90s, was it?
You know, that just wasn't, you know, until Sri Lanka came on
and had pinch it in openers in in one day cricket, again, it
wasn't really a thing. People call West Indies
flamboyant and that's just theirstyle, but the first team to
(13:22):
actually consciously play differently.
And that's sort of way where where Sri Lanka in that World
Cup and or leading up to that World Cup as well.
And, and, and from then on that sort of the pinch hitting and
then specific specialised players, one day players.
And, and it's evolved and it's evolved to the point now where
(13:43):
it's almost a given the quality of the people you you're
picking. And it's really then down to
those finer details of mentality, strategy, strategy,
psychology, etcetera. I think at a professional level.
And and that only then permeatesdown through through league
cricket, you know, county or league cricket, etcetera.
So it's great to watch. It is I dipped in and out on the
(14:06):
on the Sunday game of the streamand and when you get aside
getting 230 yard, you'd expect acouple of 50s in there and are
in 80 and maybe or something foryou know, for top what was top
score 40 yard 43 or something, you know, and that just shows
everybody buying into that approach batting wise that you
(14:29):
just keep going, keep going right next one up, keep going
and it'll be interesting. It'll be great to see if you
know, if it comes off regularly,it'll be some entertaining.
Some people put, you know, getting value for money down.
There won't be this season. Definitely and it and the
enthusiasm from the players as well.
And I hear what you're saying Gary, about, you know, going
back to the 90s. But I do think, you know, as
(14:52):
Linden Burnley, thanks. Who were dominant then, you
know, and we were poor but you know, they played one where the
opening batter smashed it and then he, he died a bit of a
death depending on the, the pros.
I do feel watching us the, you know, typical on Sunday, you
know, someone's batting really well, they're doing great.
(15:14):
The player poor shot get out, you know.
And then Tom came in at 4, got out relatively early and I was
so looking forward to watching him after his turn on the
Saturday. But then we carried on and
carried on and carried on and itwasn't right.
Someone's going to go out and try and lose 10 overs and score
10 and over. It was just, there didn't seem
to be any panic. It just seemed that there's a
(15:35):
real, I'm sure there will be an occasion where we end up, you
know, 120 for two with, with 304035 left and 140 all right.
But I think the, the gamble and the, the, the, the, the stats
would, would suggest that the way we play is, is fantastic.
(15:55):
I only wanted that section to befor two or three minutes because
I wanted to talk about Saturday 1st.
But it really interests me the way things are going there.
So if we can just talk about Saturday.
Joe Martin, I know you're reallyhelpful with with the way this
worked. What was it like before the
game? The attitude, it's, it's a
relatively big fixture in that we're playing local rivals
(16:20):
Burnley. They won the league, you know,
probably just about deserved it in my view.
We won the cup in a fantastic occasion.
So you've two teams. Was it a good atmosphere before
the game? How did you guys feel?
And it's been a great atmospherewithin our team since, since
we've got together probably a week or so ago, sorry, three,
(16:44):
about a month ago when we started the friendlies.
So, yeah, I think it's just making sure that we kind of
backed ourselves and and and as I've said, make sure that we we
know how we want to play and, and go from there.
But it was a really good atmosphere and it and it has
been for the past 18 months. Brilliant people in the you.
(17:08):
Rock up a turf. You rock up a turf more burly
when the toss was the pitch looking good?
Yeah, before you. You asked in the wrong person.
I don't look it. Was nice.
The pitch was nice, yeah. Yeah, as as Tom said, I don't
look, I don't know what I'm looking at.
So just leading to it. Yeah, but I like asking you.
(17:28):
I like asking you and then. I imagine the series of
questions will be asked Tom all.Right, if you can do that.
So barely won the toss and decided to field which if the
pitch is looking OK and which you should do in these
conditions. I don't know personally, seemed
a bit strange decision. If I wasn't there, I think when
(17:49):
when you look at how firmly playand, and bear in mind they've
been, they have been and are very successful.
My kind of vision of of their game style is with the bowling
attack they've got, they'll contain for as long as they can,
force the other team to make mistakes, and then typically
(18:15):
will either restrict A-Team or bowl A-Team out for less than
200 and then bat and then bat around hockey and then chase and
then chase that down. Yeah.
So I think, I think actually it could, the way they played it
probably made sense. They won the toss on Sunday in
the league and battered first. I think that might because they
(18:37):
were shocked from what happened on the Saturday.
I don't know. Yeah, I think maybe because I
think what Joe said. I don't know actually, Tom, I
think I might be wrong actually now I think about it because I
think against us last year, I think they battled first both
times. Yeah, they did.
So that's a poor, that's a poor point for me.
Jez. What Joe said.
(19:00):
Don't worry, don't worry. I will be.
Yeah, I I don't know. I think it was a really strange
decision. They don't usually.
They don't usually, but they don't usually people.
What did you? Sunday I asked about three
people if they could explain it and nobody could.
Ben's best guess was that they were perhaps a little under
(19:21):
prepared and they weren't ready to, you know, maybe they'd not
got the most out of the friendlies and they were a
little bit worried about maybe batting first and being 60 for
five or something like that. So so they decided to take the
safe option and get get us in first.
I thought it was really weird. It is a nice way to embed
yourself in a game though, like bowling first, especially early
(19:43):
season. So I kind of go, it was a little
bit in the pitch, maybe early, Idon't know.
You'd have to ask the the openers about how like how much
it did like laterally off the pitch.
But when I was in, it wasn't doing a right lot.
Yeah, yeah, and it is. And it's all right for us to sit
(20:04):
here and say, Oh well. They would normally do this or
they would, you know, they should have done that.
You know, it's it's a big call sometimes.
I'm sure. Dude, you've been there.
I know I've been there umpteen times and I know Gary's been
there. When that type that that coin
goes up, you're open, you lose it, you know, but that you know
that that's the way it is. So Ben, the second ball of the
(20:26):
game, Johnny Whitehead looks like he battered.
Well, I wasn't watching the game.
I've had a few reports off various people did Johnny
looking good. Nick, Tom.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Looked really, really good.
Just like a class above, as usual.
Not to not to blow him up too much, but yeah, no, he looked
(20:46):
very good. Hit the ball really well.
The thing with Ben, like Ben gotout playing the way that he,
like he said at the start of game, we're going to play like
this, this is how we're doing it.
And he got out that way and thatwas fine.
Like, not that you would really say anything to him anyway when
he gets out. No, you didn't like even it,
didn't even think about crossingyour mind like you got caught
(21:08):
coming down the wicket trying tohit Barrett back over his head,
which goes for four, goes for six, just sets the tone for the
game. Yeah, absolutely.
And again, that's exactly, you know what I was saying about the
Sunday. We don't end up, you know, all
panicking, all running around getting your pants on and who's
got mid gloves and and everything else.
It's it's a structure that's in place.
(21:29):
So Johnny's done a great job. Henry's battered for for a
little bit there, you know, doing his job.
You know, he's just three overs there that he's he's battered
with with Johnny. Then Danny's dance dance come in
the pro and again sounded reallygood from from all the came to
never looked like getting out. You know, he looked in great
(21:49):
nick and was a bit surprised when he got out.
Yeah, it was, it was a bit like,oh, like how does that happened
really? Because he was looking good.
He again looked set on for a foranother 100, another 100 for.
Laura yeah. And you're batting with him,
Tom. And you know it's over 100
partnership ultimately that you've put on and you're not
(22:11):
scoring particularly quickly. Is was that intentionally?
Were you just rotating the strike and not trying to smash
it? Just get down on the strike.
Yeah, I think that's like a big thing.
Like batting with him is the easiest thing in the world.
Like he just basically touches through it.
He tells you exactly what shots kind of to play and what shots
not to. So yeah, like it was just a
(22:33):
thing. Like our plan middle overs was
to go 4-5 and over, not go crazyand just annoy them, really
annoy you in singles and then obviously they will bow you a
bad ball, which the bowlers tended to do.
But it was they kind of all comein a clump at the end, really.
Well, and that that's exactly you'll you'll know that yourself
(22:55):
as a bowler. That does happen when, you know,
you think you're bowling well, but you're still going for five
and over and the pros in and amateur good amateurs in who's
who's batting very well. But Dan gets there quite
surprisingly. Then you and and CC Gansler have
to qualify. It wasn't Charlie Cottam seem to
go, you know, have some real funat the end.
(23:17):
Yeah. You know, put on nearly 100
again between you're in, you know, in no time.
Yeah, yeah. So that was like when their
bowlers started to kind of slip up, I think.
I feel like they concentrated sohard with Dan and myself and
we're just kind of knocking around or whatever.
And then it was kind of like when it got to the punch time,
(23:41):
they used up that concentration,I guess you could say.
And then the the easier to hit balls started to come out then.
Yeah and it crack, it's only natural that that does happen
and you know score of 300 whilstyou know the arcade will they
get in it, at least one of theirplayers has to get a tonne, if
not a big tonne and then two or three 50s depending on how big
(24:06):
the tonne is. So you go out to to bowl there,
Joe Martin, you 2 wickets, you know, in the space of I'm
guessing now 3-4 overs, both caught behind.
I was, I was Tom bowling early on and you know, you're getting
those two Nicks behind so. I think probably fair to say,
(24:31):
Tom, that you those first few others.
Like a drain, yeah. You didn't quite have the rhythm
that you would that. You would.
I mean, you know, it just battered for however many of us
and you know, battered so well, but you know, you'd be you'd be
pretty tired. So we managed to get Lynn
(24:52):
Bedford, who's had some really good seasons the past few years.
We've managed to get him early, caught down the leg side, a dire
one it Tomic kind of gloved it and and went down.
Yeah, it was a it was an awful ball, I'm not going to lie.
And then? In the in the bar afterwards.
(25:16):
And then to get Cash Shaw, that was a proper, that was a proper
ball. It was quick.
It was aimed at his head and he's kind of gloved it and got
quite a big, got quite a big nick on it really.
So it's and it's coming and it came through to me probably, I
don't know, shoulder high, what a knee high to everybody else, I
(25:36):
guess. Was it short?
You know, was it a lot of pace in it?
There's a lot, there was a lot of pace in it.
And I think I think that's one of the things actually is that
it's I think people know fast Tom Bowles, but I think it's
when he when he when he gets thelength right.
I think it it's quite, quite tough to play because I think it
cramps you up a little bit and it's quick on to you.
(25:58):
It's a think. Bats in our league, they're not
really used to. Playing short.
Stuff. I mean, we don't, we don't
really have professionals in theleague, Bowl express pace
anymore. There's not loads of amateurs
knocking around who are capable of bowling head high, bouncers,
a decent pace. So I just think it's maybe it's
a skill that's sort of weighed alittle bit and not many clubs
(26:22):
have got a bowler who can who can do it.
So it's a great, great weapon tohave, definitely.
It is then it's you know, it's something we need to, you know,
treasure and and keep hold of because it can go as quickly as
it comes as well. And I'm not I'm not being doom
and gloom there. You know, whether it's the
pictures, whether it's the weather conditions or injuries
(26:44):
or or even action, but but it's good work.
You know, it's good to see Charlie Gansler bowling quite
well there as well. Joe Martin and then and I think
it's fair to say, well, obviously they never looked like
winning it because they were under 32 all 8.
But even when Robertson and their pro within they didn't
(27:04):
have a sniff I would suggest. Yeah, I'd say so.
I think we were, I think we werereally disciplined actually Pat
ball well and against the ball well, First off, Tom took some
important wickets. So it was I think it was just a
case that we got our plans rightand and then we and we could go
(27:31):
from there. That bowled extremely well again
and and you know, got Matt Roberts out and and knock you
out as well. So.
Yeah. This weekend.
Yeah, he's getting, he seems to be getting better and better and
you know, $7.00 searched for forthree.
I know you know, Tom's checking those early ones, but he's, you
(27:53):
know, he's keeping that pressureon and then toxic chipping in
four hours, 15 for one, OK, he'sgot those 3 overs in and, and
Dan's got his, his couple of wickets there towards the end,
which he, you know, he always seems to mop up.
So they're working as a team there, the bowling unit, they're
really working and, and, and getting everything together and,
(28:16):
and we'll come on to that later.So going on to the the first
league game of the season, Darwin at home, tough game.
You know the good side Darwin, they've, they've been there and
there about for a number of years since they've they've
joined the Lancashire League. Steady, steady amateurs.
(28:36):
I don't think you knew a great deal about the pro.
Did you join their pro? Yes, it was proud at Reed a few
years ago when Paddy was head coach and obviously played, has
played Test match cricket as well.
Yeah, So excellent pedigree as aas a cricketer and a prolific
(28:59):
run scorer. Well, scored a lot of runs.
I think he probably scored over 1000 read maybe I might be wrong
on that, but I seem to remember that that was the case.
I wasn't really sure if he's bowling, not really sure whether
he bowled off spin or leg spin, but he didn't bowl on on the
weekend anyway. But I knew he was a good, I knew
(29:21):
he was a good player. Yeah, and it's interesting.
We're going to that as the game,as we talk through the game.
So again, Ben and Johnny lookinggood.
Nick, I thought certainly Johnny, he was smashing it a
bit. Change your bowling.
I don't know, you know, whether that upset his rhythm got out
(29:42):
potentially unnecessary, but that's the way that, you know,
you guys play and and how it works.
And then Henry comes in, steadies the ship and and before
we know where we are. This is what I think is
fantastic about the way you're playing.
We didn't appear to be on top that we weren't.
They were changing the bowling round quite a bit.
(30:05):
A good crowd on the egg feels quick.
And I'm thinking, I'm not just sure we're on top of this, but
we were 100 for two, you know, with lots of always left.
And I'm, you know, I'm still satthere think, you know, I'm not
sure we're on top of this, whichis a ridiculous thing to think
when we've got what we've got available to come out and bat.
(30:25):
So, Tom, you've gone out there full of beans, I guess from the
day before. All disappointing.
Yeah, I think like a couple of the boys said it afterwards as
well. They were like you.
You will only learn that exactlywhat happened at the weekend by
doing it. So like you're 100 and I was
(30:47):
still trying to bat like I was 110 not out.
You know what I mean? Try to play this big booming
drive to 1 of the better bowlersand see you later.
Champion on your back. Yeah, and that and that happens
and of course it does. And, you know, but you know,
again, talking through the the attitude of the batters, it must
(31:09):
give you some solace that the the, the talent that is behind
you, you're not just carrying the side and you've got some
great players that can come after you.
And as it turned out, you know, that happened.
We, we didn't end up 160 or like130 or like it was a, you know,
a steady progress. I'm not bothered who talks me
(31:30):
through this, Joe or Tom, But itwas a bit of a shock for a lot
of people sat around when Toxie walked out.
What happened there? I feel like Toxie's a bit
underrated as a batter by a lot of people, not just like around
the league, by our, I don't know, people who watch whatever.
But he, I mean, I've seen him working really hard in the Nets
(31:53):
with Dan and obviously everybody.
And I don't know, I just feel like he batted like he should do
like normally does, you know what I mean?
He's a very, very, very good batter.
I mean, I mean, one of the otherthings on it, Tom, is that, you
know, there were probably, I think Toxie walking out to bat.
(32:15):
There was some probably some surprises by people who were
watching. But equally, he's never really
had an opportunity in our team because, you know, if you look
at the batting order for the past few years, that's, that's
the nature of the nature of the beast, I guess.
So another thing that allows is it allows like Charlie to do
(32:37):
exactly what he did, Charlie Cotton to do exactly what he
did. It gives him that extra bit of
time and then he can say like I've got 5 overs, I can just try
and smash it, which he does very, very well.
Same with Paddy, who we know is really good at closing out of
batting innings. They can just do their thing and
Toxie can soak up a bit of pressure.
He's like, he knows how to bat, he knows how to kind of do that,
(32:58):
but then also knows how to attack and then flick the strike
over when he needs to do as well.
I mean, but I think it's a it's a great point.
It's a great point, Tom. And I think I'd, I'd like to I
wonder if, I wonder how many of the supporters know that Toxie's
had like 500 runs, 600 runs in aseason, you know, 1.
(33:19):
You know, one year can did the double.
So did the amateur double. So it's not as though he's like,
he doesn't know what end of the bat to hold.
It's a very, very competent cricketer and and combat.
I mean, it's shown with the quite a few innings over his law
(33:39):
house career that is he can, he can bat.
It's just that he didn't. Know his highest season tally
for what? His highest seasons tally for
Lore House is 68 runs in a season.
Yeah. You kidding?
Wow. But he did get 622 for Nelson in
2014. Now, obviously that a lot of
(34:00):
that, like you said, Joe is downto lack of opportunity because
he's playing in a much better side than he was when he was at
Nelson. But yeah, that's quite a stark
contrast, isn't that? Oh yeah, massively.
I mean, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't disagree, but I
would say Toxie has been one of the cricketers that has, has
(34:22):
consistently wanted to bat and have the chance to bat.
So, you know, I think it's just,I mean, it just shows, you know,
as Toxie's, you know, totally walked out.
But again, he he if he backs himself, he's he's got a very
hits the ball in awkward places,in unorthodox places.
(34:45):
It's very difficult to bowl that.
And we actually saw some shots on the weekend that we've not
seen before. Some like sweet shots and and
and we've seen these a lot, but he's he's shot through the
covers and all the extra cover and stuff.
So I mean. Ben.
Ben must be thrilled really, because obviously we we know
(35:05):
Francois in that line and you look down, you think I'm I'm I'm
struggling to see where it whereit looks any weaker.
I mean, obviously class bat a lot of runs that you're going to
lose there and everybody battingaround Francois.
But and I know it's 1 swallow don't make a summer type of
situation, but you look down that team.
It's ridiculous. You know, you've got Charlie,
Paddy joy or can you as as bot 4IN that you know in that side
(35:28):
bottom 4, you know, with all duerespect to sort of 891011, but
it it gives Ben that flexibility.
If toxic can do that, just pushed up the order for a spurt
or if we lose a couple of wickets, then it's maybe Charlie
and Paddy to steady steady something.
He must be thrilled. We we you know, that's come off
(35:49):
first time of asking. I don't if other teams do their
own work or whatever, though, or, you know, plan, you know,
like against okay, this is Todd blind or but this is clitheroes
they're back like they see. He comes in at six and he always
tries to swing from his or so you know, and and if you if
you're less predictable and thenand you know, and they've got to
mix bowling up or they've got tochange the field settings or how
(36:11):
they approach the game, then it gives the opposition fruit for
thought as well. Doesn't get gets them out of the
comfort zone a bit. Yeah, great point, Gas.
And it's entertaining, you know,it's certainly people who are
listening and thinking that all spectators think that, you know,
these players don't know what they're doing.
It's the opposite. The players love it that sorry,
the spectators love it the way the players go about the
(36:34):
business. So it's, you know, it's
important that that that comes across and then, you know, talk
to you about so well, so sensibly.
Charlie comes out again, just works it around like a dream and
then start smashing it. Paddy's run out.
I thought Paddy looked in great.Nick and I thought he was going
(36:54):
to, you know, push us up. I think we're 282 with about
four or five to go. And I thought, you know, if we'd
get to 2:30, this would be fantastic.
And then and then you came out. Joe, do you want to just talk us
through the shop? Yeah, now.
(37:15):
Incredible. This was also thought out.
I want to talk it. Well, I tried, I had some, I'd
had some unbelievable and it wasunbelievable because not only
have I never played any of the, any of the shots before, I've
(37:38):
never even practised, but I'd managed to play some reverse
sweeps and some ramps on Friday in the 2020 and, and I thought
it was a good option, but as it turned out, it was one of the
slowest cricket balls I've ever.Seen.
And I said to Chaz I was walkingoff.
(37:58):
I said probably wasn't a good decision.
The maximum I would have got forthat was a one really high risk
strategy for one run. I actually don't reckon you
would have even got one, that's how slow this ball was it.
Would have just gone straight up.
Yeah, I think right behind the keeper and the keyboard stood up
for people who didn't watch and I reckon it would have just gone
(38:22):
just over he over him and just landed just behind him.
Yeah, I think you're right, Tom or even landed in his gloves.
But let's talk about your shots that did work because they for
the people who are listening, that is on social media.
And I actually write it on Sunday.
And you called it a ramp. And is it really a ramp?
(38:44):
It's more of a a. Scope a bit of a scoop.
Scoop, really. No, I don't know what it is.
It was just, yeah. It's awesome.
That's. Off the IT was off the cuff.
I don't well, I don't know aboutthat Tom.
It's more luck than judgement I think, but.
Yeah, I thought you were going to go into like a Cossack dance.
(39:07):
Well, based, I mean, on my previous history of gas.
You won't put it past me. I don't.
Think so to drop tea haunchers like I thought, hey, he's going
to be doing all, you know, the old live Russian.
Two step. I mean believe.
Believe it or not, when I did use to bat, I did use to sweep
off both knees. Sweep off both knees.
Yeah. What?
(39:31):
What? One shot on both.
Knees. How do you do that?
What meltdown? Yeah, yeah, I used to.
I used to have thought and the reason I want I saw Graham Lloyd
do it and it gave him option to hit a hard sweep or a reverse or
a paddle and it just meant that you're in a slightly different
(39:53):
position. I'm not.
You knelt down on both knees, almost in a praying position.
Yeah. Facing the bowler.
Yeah. And with all, all respect, Joe,
if they'd if he'd advanced in the right place, it could have
gone over your head and bowled you.
No. No.
(40:14):
He's not. At all.
If you knelt down, you know. He's not a garden wall.
I mean, no, thank you. Thanks, Tom.
Yeah, I'm not. The smells good, but no, you go
back in your crease and you go down.
(40:35):
We need to say this in next game.
I was going to say, is this audio?
Is this audio only or is this visual as well?
Yeah, no, it's just audio, but the the the listeners can watch
it, watch on YouTube the the shot that you played on on
Friday. So you know it was.
A massive it was a massive flukechess, but you know, if we can,
(40:56):
if we can, if we can hit in different.
The reason I did it on Friday was too windy.
It was too windy to try and hit it straight.
So you know. But let's talk about Tom's 100
again. Well, we've done that.
We want to talk about other stuff now.
OK Tom, just talk through. So you bowled from the park end,
(41:19):
which is different for a quick bowl.
Are you enjoying it from there? Yeah, yeah.
So because of the the way the wind was, wind was playing, the
way the pitch was playing as well and the way their bowlers
had bowled, we said me from the park end.
So I had the first over, which was nice as well and then
(41:40):
proceeded to bowl like a drain for my first over.
Pretty standard. Moved on to Patrick.
Then Patrick's steady away as always.
He was really, really good againon the on Sunday, we kind of got
the openers out. Who was it?
It was Reese Davis, wasn't it? And the guy I would.
(42:02):
Oh, Scott. Friend.
Yeah, Who got him out? You ran him out, Tom, Run.
Out. Oh, run out.
God, yeah, that was a good bit of fielding.
Reece Davis. Reece Davis run his pal out
Scott friend. But I mean cover just he was as
active as anybody was moved around like a like a leopard,
(42:23):
like a cheetah to run Scott friend out.
Then in terms of the bullet, notto hack myself up too much there
in terms of the rest of the bowling, Toxie was really,
really good, really patient. Paddy again was really good.
Joey Hawk wrapped up and got thepro out right at the end, which
(42:46):
was really nice. Which is, well, yeah, he did
ball really well. It was probably a time where we
needed him to get out as well. And like, just to kind of put
the nail in the coffin, really. We know we'd won, but just to
really kind of hammer it home. And yeah, for a point there that
Darwin obviously like looked like they were going to come
back. We kind of had them up the Creek
(43:10):
and then, yeah, they're pro. And then #8 who got handy runs
as well for them kind of combineto make a really, to make a
really good comeback. And then, yeah, Joey Hall
cleaned it up, didn't he? Finished it off.
And it's good to say, I mean, soif I can just go back on to what
(43:31):
you're saying that about the pro, you know, we're getting to
7 and over, pushing 8 and over. I think, you know, they were
down to maybe 5 or 6 wickets andit's we've all seen it where a
pro can just explode and then all of a sudden, you know, get
60 and 4 overs and the games turn in a little bit.
(43:55):
So it was important to keep thatpressure on.
So let's talk about Friday, whata great event it is, charity
event, every Good Friday at the Cricket Club.
Again, I'm going to promote it and make no apologies for it.
It's, it's a brain tumour charity that's in memory of, of
(44:16):
David Caple. And it's, it means, you know, it
means something to Law House because he did pro for us when
for many years ago at Nelson andhe obviously died of the brain
tumour. And it's his son that keeps the
charity going. And every, every Good Friday we
(44:37):
have an event and there's significant amount of money
raised. So thanks to everyone who
attended to that and thanks to the players who played.
It was fantastic to see so many people down there.
And, and I think it's fair to say due to significant amount of
money made behind the bar, whichwill help us going forward.
(44:58):
Did you play on Good Friday, Tom, Were you there?
I didn't play, but I was there, yeah.
Yeah, you had a good day. It was a fantastic day.
Yeah, those are the decking charges boys are always are
always really, really for a good, good crack as well.
And yeah, kind of awesome day for for the charities as well.
(45:19):
Yeah, yeah, it's brilliant. A few pints, some memories made,
some new friends acquainted withand everything's good.
So we'll move on to next weekend.
What's our thoughts? Would you have our thing on the
the fixtures next weekend? So.
(45:40):
Norden away. Yeah, Norden away.
Norden are a strong team. They had a tight game this
weekend. I think they've won against
Tonnelden, Did he? So always, always a good game
at, at at Norden for an experienced team.
So it'll be a it'll be a challenge, but let's see where
(46:03):
we get. Fantastic dude.
Can you release anything about is there anyone injured?
Is there any any changes? I think it's.
Probably a good a good time to plug is that Johnny's not
playing at the weekend because he's running the London Marathon
for a charity mind. You can still donate if you if
(46:23):
you want to. Fantastic.
So, yeah, so Johnny will be doing that and I can go all be
looking out for how he how he gets on.
It's it's a really great, reallygreat thing he's doing.
So yeah. Yeah.
So listeners, if you can just have a look on the he'll be on
(46:44):
our social media. Johnny's going out going and you
know, he's trained very hard forit and he's going to do this for
the man charity. So if you can go on and sponsor
him, it'll be, it'll be really appreciated that that'd be
fantastic. Do anything from yourself before
we move on to the draw, no? I don't think so.
(47:08):
Just to replace Johnny Declan, Metcalf's actually going to be
in the side on on Sunday. Declan's played at the club for
a few years now. He's still a young kid.
He's been leading run scorer in the 2nd 11 for the last
certainly last season and probably the season before
promising young correct batsman,so he's going to get his
(47:30):
opportunity on Sunday with Johnny being being away.
Yeah, I mean, good luck. It's good luck to to to deck.
He deserves his place. He has looked good in the in the
seconds of games I've watched. So, you know, good luck to him.
What a what a great side to be sort of coming into to sort of
(47:54):
make, I don't know if he's, I think he has played games
before. Actually, it's not his debut.
But you know, as a, as a kid coming in with not much
experience to be, to be coming into a side that's sort of
brimming with confidence and, you know, looking good.
I mean that that's the time thatyou want to be making your
debut, isn't it? Not, not sort of a team that the
opposite end of the spectrum. Yeah, 100% and you know, and
(48:19):
good luck there to Declan and I'm sure it'll be looked after
with all the with all the team and hopefully it gets, you know,
a good performance under its belt.
So that's it as far as the cricket goes.
Tom, if you want to stop on we're making the the low house
monthly draw, but you're more than welcome to go if you've got
(48:42):
got anything to do. Surprisingly, I've got now to
do, but yes, they're around for the draw.
Do you need me to draw some numbers or something or what?
No Joe's, Joe's always wiggling his balls.
He will get it sorted, so we will.
This is the April draw and there's four prizes £100.80
(49:04):
pound, 70 LB and 50 LB. If you can get the random number
generator up to 177 please. Make sure there's no lizards or
Sims in this in this. It's all random.
You can join, so you can join with a just send out, send me an
(49:28):
e-mail or speak to Joe Martin. I'll get you.
I'll get you in it. Nice.
All right, good luck 5. Pounds a month.
Yeah, All right, go on, Joe 12177.
Let's see. The first number, Jazz, is 103.
103 I mean, you, you'll you'll absolutely love this Joe Martin.
(49:50):
He's won a few times just recently.
Oh. Really.
Yeah, he's a great golfer. He's a really, really or he
loves his golf. He's a good mate of yours, Joe.
I think he's a bit of a better cops than you.
Can you guess who it is? How much for me?
Brownie. Nigel Brown.
Yeah, Nigel. Brown Brownie.
Oh fantastic. That's great news.
(50:13):
Popular. Winner.
Very popular winner. £100 What atop fellow.
I think he won. He won 12 months ago.
I'll never ever get over the fact that Nigel stuck up for our
house about 25 years ago in Aslington Cricket Club's bar
when someone was flagging us offand he and he kicked off and got
(50:36):
pinned against the wall. I'll not mention what happened
but he he stuck up for Loris when he weren't even a loriser.
80 LB Joe please, the next number. #44. 44 Tommy Bryler.
Tommy 8. Come on.
(50:56):
Is he a recent winner, Jack? He's recent.
Yeah, I. Think so?
Gas. So every time he wins, we can
talk about getting him on podcast and we do that.
Well, let's get him on. Let's get him on.
Let's get him and his brother. Well done, Tommy.
Let's just have a look, see if my records are up to speed.
(51:18):
Yeah. 2023, March 23. One.
Yeah. You think it's so long ago?
That's unbelievable. So £70, please.
Joe, can you spin your balls andgive us another number?
139. 139, it's 139 is Louise Cotton.
(51:47):
Right. This is ridiculous.
Another family you just win every month.
Well, it wasn't every month. I think you might find it
Realizer last month and then there was No One the month
before that and then Henry the month before that.
Oh, oh, sorry. Three out of four.
I do apologise, it's all. Right, I just picked out his
whole family one week. Yeah, and I haven't had nothing
(52:08):
since, have I? Oh Peaks and Trust prize.
Peaks and trust. 50 pounds £50 please Joe.
Number 69. Melanie Mark Norcross.
I think no, it was not long ago.Oh no.
(52:31):
December 21. Oh, fair enough.
So we've looks like we've got somebody who wants to join in
Tom Walker. If anyone else wants to join,
it's only £5 a month. We draw it obviously every
month. We try to do it as live as we
can, like this, and then publicise it because there were
(52:51):
some allegations years ago of the fixing which clearly wasn't
true. It's not true based on the based
on the, you know, randomness of the winners, right?
Well, and also and you're innocence that that one, when me
and Gary used to do it, it mighthave been fiddled a little bit,
but but we can't do that now. We never did it obviously, but
(53:14):
if anyone wants to join, please feel free.
We've had quite a few new members, a couple dropping out
for various reasons, but we havea few free numbers so please get
in touch. So, so I've just worked it out
quickly Jess. I think in 27 years I must have
paid in probably about over £1300, which are more than happy
to do, more than happy to do. I'm still alive, you know, and I
(53:39):
am still alive. What's your number?
What's Gary's number? Jess?
My. Number's 8585.
Joe Sorry, 8282. Well, that's why you've not won,
Gaz. And you're Chris is 85.
(54:01):
Well, that's where that's where I get 85 from then.
Yeah, he's won a lot of times. And I think you might find Gary.
You won £70 in January 2022. You might well hang your head.
Now you've only lost 1200 lbs. Yeah, that's it.
(54:22):
Before that. I'm happy to happy to happy to
donate it to the club. Yeah.
Which is what? It has been a donation.
Yeah. Your Benedict, your number is
35. Excellent.
And your and your last win was February 2020.
(54:42):
That's a long time. Yeah, 5.
Years ago, you have to. Rectify that soon, ASAP.
Yeah, Rachel, Rachel, your wife is 45.
Her number and Rachel was won a few times, but it.
Says here last. Time, October 22 is.
It shared when she wins. Oh, absolutely not.
(55:05):
Let me just go back to what I was going to mention.
Adam keeps putting stuff on here.
Charlie. There's no past 6000 Lancashire
League runs, which is some fantastic achievement.
I think it said he was 7th or 8th now in the top.
Batting tops his highest score for us at weekend and Joe Martin
(55:26):
needs 2 stumpings for 100 Lancashire League stumpings.
Good lad but really enjoyed thathe's such a good sporting
weekend, barely getting promoted.
Some good football watched and and obviously 2 great
performances from the first team.
Second team. A fantastic win at Greenmount.
(55:48):
Well done to those lads. We're looking at getting some of
the second team players on on the podcast, some characters on
there that we can get on and andhave a good giggle with.
So let's sort we keep the the run going.
Just as a little bit of a shout out, we've just released a
different type of podcast just recently around Gary and his
(56:10):
family and the the COVID situation of what they went
through with the issues they hadwith cancer through that period.
It's going down a storm with thelessons.
We're getting so much feedback, so much positive help and you
know, people who are thanking usfor recording it.
(56:31):
So thanks to Gary and your family for doing it.
Thanks to Joe Martin for jumpingin and everyone else who who
arranged and organised it. If you can just give it a little
listen, if you enjoy it, that's great.
Or pass it on to people who it might help.
It just never know. As we keep saying, if it helps
one person then then it's the real bonus.
(56:52):
Tom, thanks ever so much for coming on.
Your honesty and your openness of of how the game goes and how
you are have been performing. He's fantastic.
Thanks very much. I'm loving the bowlers, sharing
everything that that works very well.
Have you any final comments before we close this off?
No final comments from me. Peace out to the lower house
(57:12):
faithful. It's been an absolute pleasure
hanging with you fellas today. And yeah, good night everyone.
Brilliant. Thanks.
Thanks very much, Tom, don't forget to look at the
sponsorships, the sponsors who who are sponsoring, the players
who sponsor this podcast and theclub.
Please support them. The club is just growing and
growing, you know, to have a couple of 1000 people dying on
(57:34):
Good Friday and making the moneywhich Gen generates back into
cricket, it's fantastic. So keep supporting us and thanks
for listening Gordon. Gordon send more house to save
(58:04):
the house.
George, just unmute yourself again.
What's going on there? It's like it's like being in a
chimps tip party. Is it?
Smile Club meeting. I thought I could hear a Gavin
background. No, it's just a generic Burnley
(00:22):
accent. You look a bit grumpy.
Joy. Is everything all right?
You look a bit. You look a bit grumpy.
No, I'm fine all. Right.
OK, Do you insist? No, I'm really excited.
Tell you first I mean. I can't smile anymore, just look
(00:50):
demented if I do that. Don't you look lovely?
(01:13):
Holden Holden send more house tosave the house.
Hello everyone and welcome to the Lower House Cricket Club
podcast, The House Cast. It's been a bizarre couple of
weeks. Some great recording, some great
(01:35):
sport over the Easter weekend, which I'm no doubt we're going
to, and we've got the April drawto do.
Got a great guest on tonight who's who's performances over
the weekend are quite outstanding and I want to get
into him and chat about how thatwent.
(01:56):
But we'll come on and introduce him in a minute.
We'll just go around the table. Dooch, you're at home all night
and peaceful. You enjoy last weekend.
Yes, I did, yeah. Very good weekend.
Great to be back watching cricket in the sunshine as well,
which is great and obviously we played very well, so all good.
Yeah, yeah. And it is for the start season
(02:19):
like you said, the pictures are unreal with the the lack of rain
and the banks and a firm is it he's looking really good.
Gary, welcome, welcome and thanks very much for coming to
Co host this. I'm sure you'll have kept
yourself abreast of the weekends.
Hello, House results for other sports.
(02:40):
How are you doing? Yeah, we're all good, Jess.
Thanks. Yeah, it was surprising when I
switched on to stream. I thought I were like looking at
Sara Desert or something. I've never seen it as Brian or
as Bear at this time of year, ever it were.
It was bizarre. I found to see Frankenstein
chatting back roller genuinely. We're going to disconnect and
(03:01):
just check me. Check me.
YouTube channels have been hacked.
Thought you were. Thought you were dialling into
Della. Yeah, we still like that.
It were bizarre. We're we're in camera.
Does it actually look like that?No, it does.
It's and again, you know, the way Stan and his team manage it,
(03:24):
they're just taking the right amount off at the moment.
The outfield's looking great because of all the, the, the
work that was done out in the winter and I think they're
managing it really quite well. Gary, it's a little bit, if you
remember, it hasn't gone dusty or sandy yet.
So there's still quite a bit of bounce there.
So there's a little bit of moisture, but they leave in a
(03:47):
little bit more grass on the used to when we played in July
and August and it was like that.But I was chatting to Blaze Gary
during the game on Sunday and helike in the last last season,
exactly the same time, I think with three lakes around the
ground. There's one down at the bottom
near the greens up there, one atthe top that was gushing out of
(04:08):
the lake. And it's just, you know, it's
where the climate is. But Stan's doing a great job on
his team in managing it to. But we'll get on to Joe Martin
and our guest as to how it played.
Joe Martin, I know you're on mute and you you seem like
you're in a nightclub in in Manchester somewhere.
Is it still as noisy or have youmoved positions?
(04:30):
I haven't moved positions, I imagine it's probably still as
noisy and whilst I'm obviously afrequent attendee of Manchester
night clubs, I'm not that I'm atthe club.
You're at the Cricket Club, all right.
OK, I thought they have who's? Making all the noise Your Come
on, name names. Who's making all the noise?
Well, my dad's here. Raucous, raucous character.
(04:55):
Any others? Yeah, Greg, Greg curse here,
Roger. I'm surprised.
At all, Sam, Mick Smith, Mark White.
Yeah. Come up for a drink every night.
It's really good. Times have changed guys, if you
(05:17):
remember we'd we used to be training and then we'd we'd have
a few pints as even spectators come up nice.
So thanks very much Joe and thanks Joe for organising
tonight's guest. If I can just do a bit of
background about who he is, he joined us two or three years ago
(05:37):
from another Langford League club.
You know a bit of controversy but I think everything well went
well and for the right reasons. A young lad who is mad keen
worked so hard as it at his cricket and you can see him
improve game by game when take to Australia this winter to to
improve himself and and his cricket and it's come back I
(06:00):
personally think with an extra at least yard if not 2 yards a
pace on and his battings excel this cell.
So our special guest tonight is Tom Walker.
Welcome on Tom. How you doing?
Thank you very much, gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be here.
Yeah, pleasure. Absolute pleasure.
Good. No, I really appreciate it.
(06:22):
Certainly. I mean, we only did a podcast
last week, but we thought we'd squeeze another one in because
of the way the the sporting events went this weekend.
So Tom, just give us a little bit of, you know, what's going
on in the last, you know, 12 months you've been over in
Australia, you've come back and,and you're looking great.
Nick, are you feeling good aboutyour cricket to you?
(06:43):
Are you looking forward to the summer?
Yeah, no, really excited becauseit was a great weekend for us,
for the boys. The second's got to win as well.
So it was a really, it was a collective weekend, very good
weekend. Like what I've been doing over
the past 12 months. I've so last year was meant to
be, but what I was thinking was going to be my last year, like
(07:08):
here for a while, at lower housefor a while, went over to
Australia, played cricket there,played some really good standard
and probably a lot better than Iam.
But yeah, definitely I feel likeimproved my game a lot.
And then Ben and Selfie, the proasked me if I'd be interested in
(07:29):
coming back for another season. And then yeah, really, really
kind of excited for the season. I feel like the group we've got
at the moment is one of the bestI've been involved in anyways.
Like no matter in England or Australia, it's like such a
tight knit group at the moment. A lot of people know the games
really well. We have like a really clear game
(07:49):
plan as well. No matter kind of what the what
the team we're going to, we're going to always take them on.
So yeah, I'm, I'm really excitedto be back.
And it it must be quite because you're at the right age, you're
obviously, you know, fit as a butcher's dog, the way I can see
the way you run in and you just don't give up.
(08:12):
And so it's a good time for you to be with the likes of the pro
down and, and obviously Ben's thinking, are they looking to
change your game at all from what you were 12 months ago and
the way you battered? Or is it just a case of be
yourself? I think it's more, I think it's
more be be myself and just like a big thing that Ben and Don are
(08:38):
mentioning at the moment. And obviously Joe will be able
to comment on this as well and Dutch as well.
It's like if if you get out playing the shot that you think
was right or if you get out taking the game on, then there's
not going to be one comment in the dressing room.
And I think that's a really likepowerful thing to have from a
batting group. And just kind of like if you had
(08:58):
any nerves about losing your wicket, you don't anymore.
And it's even like rubbing off on the likes like Henry and
Charlie, like Charlie Gansler both both days this weekend hit.
I think he's like second or third ball for four down the
ground, like running at spin. And you just like I, I just the
difference between last year andthis year, I think is that and
(09:19):
it's just like that freedom to, to play, I guess.
Yeah, and it is, I mean, it's sorefreshing to hear, you know,
what you're saying and confirming.
We had done on on the podcast last year and he said that.
And it's a little bit like, you know, I know it's national team,
but the way Brenda Mccullen seems to play is, you know, No
Fear. Believe in yourself.
(09:39):
And if you get out and it's for the right reasons and for the,
you know, doing the right things, then it's only a game.
You know, no one's going to die.You know, if you lose, you lose.
And I do sometimes wonder, you know, going back, Gary's just
dropped off the call, but when he comes back on, there is 100%
going back to, you know, and I, what was that play 80s, nineties
(10:02):
and 2000. There was always a fear if, if I
get out, we're going to lose this.
And, and that attitude of take it on yourself and there's no
one else that can do it. So it is, it's such a
generational thing and things are changing it and it reflects,
you can see from us watching on the side how how good it's
looking. Joe Martin, is that something
(10:23):
that you're, you're a laid back character.
You, you know, you've played so many games, you take things on
as as it goes long. Is that just something you can
manage and keep going with? Yeah, I think so.
I think I'm probably in a slightly different position to
Tom in that I hope that anymore.But I think that as a
(10:49):
collective, it's it's, it's not just about your own, it's not
just about your own game. It's about making sure that you
are supporting everybody else tomake sure that they're confident
in, in making sure that they canexecute their skills how they
want and and their game plan so that they there aren't any half
(11:12):
measures, I guess. So if they're going to play any
particular shot or ball, a particular ball, ball particular
plan that we're backing them 100% to succeed in that.
So I think it's probably to deflect away from from my all
game. It's more of a collective,
collective effort to make sure that we're all pulling in the
(11:35):
same direction. And it is I was chatting to do
to you later that weekend and a few others.
We used to Gary, we were just chatting there and if you were
still listening when you droppedoff about how this side, when we
played, I, I mentioned just say Gary that when we played it, it
did matter. You were a case of if we get
(11:57):
beat it's the end of the world. If I don't get 5 wickets so you
don't get 50, then you know everyone's disappointed.
I wonder how that mentality has changed.
How do you think of that Gary? Because that's how Loris are
playing now. I can assure you're watching
them. How do you think that's changed
and why didn't we do it? Better players, Jess, I think.
Yeah, I suppose. Yeah.
(12:18):
I don't mean that late, but the confidence that they've got is
agree. I mean, obviously Ben mentioned
it on the podcast last week about about their approach and
that came through clear in this weekend's.
But yeah, you you've got to have, I mean, 1 to 11.
(12:39):
They're all, they're all, they're all top quality players,
but it'd have been two or three employing our team at best, you
know, who could back themselves to that extent.
But the weight of the responsibility that if they
don't, if they play a stupid shot or don't come off, rest of
the team who aren't going to muster another thirty runs, you
know, I think, I think that's the difference jersey, if I'm
(13:01):
honest. And and it's a different
mentality all through cricket all together.
It just wasn't the thing in the early 90s, was it?
You know, that just wasn't, you know, until Sri Lanka came on
and had pinch it in openers in in one day cricket, again, it
wasn't really a thing. People call West Indies
flamboyant and that's just theirstyle, but the first team to
(13:22):
actually consciously play differently.
And that's sort of way where where Sri Lanka in that World
Cup and or leading up to that World Cup as well.
And, and, and from then on that sort of the pinch hitting and
then specific specialised players, one day players.
And, and it's evolved and it's evolved to the point now where
(13:43):
it's almost a given the quality of the people you you're
picking. And it's really then down to
those finer details of mentality, strategy, strategy,
psychology, etcetera. I think at a professional level.
And and that only then permeatesdown through through league
cricket, you know, county or league cricket, etcetera.
So it's great to watch. It is I dipped in and out on the
(14:06):
on the Sunday game of the streamand and when you get aside
getting 230 yard, you'd expect acouple of 50s in there and are
in 80 and maybe or something foryou know, for top what was top
score 40 yard 43 or something, you know, and that just shows
everybody buying into that approach batting wise that you
(14:29):
just keep going, keep going right next one up, keep going
and it'll be interesting. It'll be great to see if you
know, if it comes off regularly,it'll be some entertaining.
Some people put, you know, getting value for money down.
There won't be this season. Definitely and it and the
enthusiasm from the players as well.
And I hear what you're saying Gary, about, you know, going
back to the 90s. But I do think, you know, as
(14:52):
Linden Burnley, thanks. Who were dominant then, you
know, and we were poor but you know, they played one where the
opening batter smashed it and then he, he died a bit of a
death depending on the, the pros.
I do feel watching us the, you know, typical on Sunday, you
know, someone's batting really well, they're doing great.
(15:14):
The player poor shot get out, you know.
And then Tom came in at 4, got out relatively early and I was
so looking forward to watching him after his turn on the
Saturday. But then we carried on and
carried on and carried on and itwasn't right.
Someone's going to go out and try and lose 10 overs and score
10 and over. It was just, there didn't seem
to be any panic. It just seemed that there's a
(15:35):
real, I'm sure there will be an occasion where we end up, you
know, 120 for two with, with 304035 left and 140 all right.
But I think the, the gamble and the, the, the, the, the stats
would, would suggest that the way we play is, is fantastic.
(15:55):
I only wanted that section to befor two or three minutes because
I wanted to talk about Saturday 1st.
But it really interests me the way things are going there.
So if we can just talk about Saturday.
Joe Martin, I know you're reallyhelpful with with the way this
worked. What was it like before the
game? The attitude, it's, it's a
relatively big fixture in that we're playing local rivals
(16:20):
Burnley. They won the league, you know,
probably just about deserved it in my view.
We won the cup in a fantastic occasion.
So you've two teams. Was it a good atmosphere before
the game? How did you guys feel?
And it's been a great atmospherewithin our team since, since
we've got together probably a week or so ago, sorry, three,
(16:44):
about a month ago when we started the friendlies.
So, yeah, I think it's just making sure that we kind of
backed ourselves and and and as I've said, make sure that we we
know how we want to play and, and go from there.
But it was a really good atmosphere and it and it has
been for the past 18 months. Brilliant people in the you.
(17:08):
Rock up a turf. You rock up a turf more burly
when the toss was the pitch looking good?
Yeah, before you. You asked in the wrong person.
I don't look it. Was nice.
The pitch was nice, yeah. Yeah, as as Tom said, I don't
look, I don't know what I'm looking at.
So just leading to it. Yeah, but I like asking you.
(17:28):
I like asking you and then. I imagine the series of
questions will be asked Tom all.Right, if you can do that.
So barely won the toss and decided to field which if the
pitch is looking OK and which you should do in these
conditions. I don't know personally, seemed
a bit strange decision. If I wasn't there, I think when
(17:49):
when you look at how firmly playand, and bear in mind they've
been, they have been and are very successful.
My kind of vision of of their game style is with the bowling
attack they've got, they'll contain for as long as they can,
force the other team to make mistakes, and then typically
(18:15):
will either restrict A-Team or bowl A-Team out for less than
200 and then bat and then bat around hockey and then chase and
then chase that down. Yeah.
So I think, I think actually it could, the way they played it
probably made sense. They won the toss on Sunday in
the league and battered first. I think that might because they
(18:37):
were shocked from what happened on the Saturday.
I don't know. Yeah, I think maybe because I
think what Joe said. I don't know actually, Tom, I
think I might be wrong actually now I think about it because I
think against us last year, I think they battled first both
times. Yeah, they did.
So that's a poor, that's a poor point for me.
Jez. What Joe said.
(19:00):
Don't worry, don't worry. I will be.
Yeah, I I don't know. I think it was a really strange
decision. They don't usually.
They don't usually, but they don't usually people.
What did you? Sunday I asked about three
people if they could explain it and nobody could.
Ben's best guess was that they were perhaps a little under
(19:21):
prepared and they weren't ready to, you know, maybe they'd not
got the most out of the friendlies and they were a
little bit worried about maybe batting first and being 60 for
five or something like that. So so they decided to take the
safe option and get get us in first.
I thought it was really weird. It is a nice way to embed
yourself in a game though, like bowling first, especially early
(19:43):
season. So I kind of go, it was a little
bit in the pitch, maybe early, Idon't know.
You'd have to ask the the openers about how like how much
it did like laterally off the pitch.
But when I was in, it wasn't doing a right lot.
Yeah, yeah, and it is. And it's all right for us to sit
(20:04):
here and say, Oh well. They would normally do this or
they would, you know, they should have done that.
You know, it's it's a big call sometimes.
I'm sure. Dude, you've been there.
I know I've been there umpteen times and I know Gary's been
there. When that type that that coin
goes up, you're open, you lose it, you know, but that you know
that that's the way it is. So Ben, the second ball of the
(20:26):
game, Johnny Whitehead looks like he battered.
Well, I wasn't watching the game.
I've had a few reports off various people did Johnny
looking good. Nick, Tom.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Looked really, really good.
Just like a class above, as usual.
Not to not to blow him up too much, but yeah, no, he looked
(20:46):
very good. Hit the ball really well.
The thing with Ben, like Ben gotout playing the way that he,
like he said at the start of game, we're going to play like
this, this is how we're doing it.
And he got out that way and thatwas fine.
Like, not that you would really say anything to him anyway when
he gets out. No, you didn't like even it,
didn't even think about crossingyour mind like you got caught
(21:08):
coming down the wicket trying tohit Barrett back over his head,
which goes for four, goes for six, just sets the tone for the
game. Yeah, absolutely.
And again, that's exactly, you know what I was saying about the
Sunday. We don't end up, you know, all
panicking, all running around getting your pants on and who's
got mid gloves and and everything else.
It's it's a structure that's in place.
(21:29):
So Johnny's done a great job. Henry's battered for for a
little bit there, you know, doing his job.
You know, he's just three overs there that he's he's battered
with with Johnny. Then Danny's dance dance come in
the pro and again sounded reallygood from from all the came to
never looked like getting out. You know, he looked in great
(21:49):
nick and was a bit surprised when he got out.
Yeah, it was, it was a bit like,oh, like how does that happened
really? Because he was looking good.
He again looked set on for a foranother 100, another 100 for.
Laura yeah. And you're batting with him,
Tom. And you know it's over 100
partnership ultimately that you've put on and you're not
(22:11):
scoring particularly quickly. Is was that intentionally?
Were you just rotating the strike and not trying to smash
it? Just get down on the strike.
Yeah, I think that's like a big thing.
Like batting with him is the easiest thing in the world.
Like he just basically touches through it.
He tells you exactly what shots kind of to play and what shots
not to. So yeah, like it was just a
(22:33):
thing. Like our plan middle overs was
to go 4-5 and over, not go crazyand just annoy them, really
annoy you in singles and then obviously they will bow you a
bad ball, which the bowlers tended to do.
But it was they kind of all comein a clump at the end, really.
Well, and that that's exactly you'll you'll know that yourself
(22:55):
as a bowler. That does happen when, you know,
you think you're bowling well, but you're still going for five
and over and the pros in and amateur good amateurs in who's
who's batting very well. But Dan gets there quite
surprisingly. Then you and and CC Gansler have
to qualify. It wasn't Charlie Cottam seem to
go, you know, have some real funat the end.
(23:17):
Yeah. You know, put on nearly 100
again between you're in, you know, in no time.
Yeah, yeah. So that was like when their
bowlers started to kind of slip up, I think.
I feel like they concentrated sohard with Dan and myself and
we're just kind of knocking around or whatever.
And then it was kind of like when it got to the punch time,
(23:41):
they used up that concentration,I guess you could say.
And then the the easier to hit balls started to come out then.
Yeah and it crack, it's only natural that that does happen
and you know score of 300 whilstyou know the arcade will they
get in it, at least one of theirplayers has to get a tonne, if
not a big tonne and then two or three 50s depending on how big
(24:06):
the tonne is. So you go out to to bowl there,
Joe Martin, you 2 wickets, you know, in the space of I'm
guessing now 3-4 overs, both caught behind.
I was, I was Tom bowling early on and you know, you're getting
those two Nicks behind so. I think probably fair to say,
(24:31):
Tom, that you those first few others.
Like a drain, yeah. You didn't quite have the rhythm
that you would that. You would.
I mean, you know, it just battered for however many of us
and you know, battered so well, but you know, you'd be you'd be
pretty tired. So we managed to get Lynn
(24:52):
Bedford, who's had some really good seasons the past few years.
We've managed to get him early, caught down the leg side, a dire
one it Tomic kind of gloved it and and went down.
Yeah, it was a it was an awful ball, I'm not going to lie.
And then? In the in the bar afterwards.
(25:16):
And then to get Cash Shaw, that was a proper, that was a proper
ball. It was quick.
It was aimed at his head and he's kind of gloved it and got
quite a big, got quite a big nick on it really.
So it's and it's coming and it came through to me probably, I
don't know, shoulder high, what a knee high to everybody else, I
(25:36):
guess. Was it short?
You know, was it a lot of pace in it?
There's a lot, there was a lot of pace in it.
And I think I think that's one of the things actually is that
it's I think people know fast Tom Bowles, but I think it's
when he when he when he gets thelength right.
I think it it's quite, quite tough to play because I think it
cramps you up a little bit and it's quick on to you.
(25:58):
It's a think. Bats in our league, they're not
really used to. Playing short.
Stuff. I mean, we don't, we don't
really have professionals in theleague, Bowl express pace
anymore. There's not loads of amateurs
knocking around who are capable of bowling head high, bouncers,
a decent pace. So I just think it's maybe it's
a skill that's sort of weighed alittle bit and not many clubs
(26:22):
have got a bowler who can who can do it.
So it's a great, great weapon tohave, definitely.
It is then it's you know, it's something we need to, you know,
treasure and and keep hold of because it can go as quickly as
it comes as well. And I'm not I'm not being doom
and gloom there. You know, whether it's the
pictures, whether it's the weather conditions or injuries
(26:44):
or or even action, but but it's good work.
You know, it's good to see Charlie Gansler bowling quite
well there as well. Joe Martin and then and I think
it's fair to say, well, obviously they never looked like
winning it because they were under 32 all 8.
But even when Robertson and their pro within they didn't
(27:04):
have a sniff I would suggest. Yeah, I'd say so.
I think we were, I think we werereally disciplined actually Pat
ball well and against the ball well, First off, Tom took some
important wickets. So it was I think it was just a
case that we got our plans rightand and then we and we could go
(27:31):
from there. That bowled extremely well again
and and you know, got Matt Roberts out and and knock you
out as well. So.
Yeah. This weekend.
Yeah, he's getting, he seems to be getting better and better and
you know, $7.00 searched for forthree.
I know you know, Tom's checking those early ones, but he's, you
(27:53):
know, he's keeping that pressureon and then toxic chipping in
four hours, 15 for one, OK, he'sgot those 3 overs in and, and
Dan's got his, his couple of wickets there towards the end,
which he, you know, he always seems to mop up.
So they're working as a team there, the bowling unit, they're
really working and, and, and getting everything together and,
(28:16):
and we'll come on to that later.So going on to the the first
league game of the season, Darwin at home, tough game.
You know the good side Darwin, they've, they've been there and
there about for a number of years since they've they've
joined the Lancashire League. Steady, steady amateurs.
(28:36):
I don't think you knew a great deal about the pro.
Did you join their pro? Yes, it was proud at Reed a few
years ago when Paddy was head coach and obviously played, has
played Test match cricket as well.
Yeah, So excellent pedigree as aas a cricketer and a prolific
(28:59):
run scorer. Well, scored a lot of runs.
I think he probably scored over 1000 read maybe I might be wrong
on that, but I seem to remember that that was the case.
I wasn't really sure if he's bowling, not really sure whether
he bowled off spin or leg spin, but he didn't bowl on on the
weekend anyway. But I knew he was a good, I knew
(29:21):
he was a good player. Yeah, and it's interesting.
We're going to that as the game,as we talk through the game.
So again, Ben and Johnny lookinggood.
Nick, I thought certainly Johnny, he was smashing it a
bit. Change your bowling.
I don't know, you know, whether that upset his rhythm got out
(29:42):
potentially unnecessary, but that's the way that, you know,
you guys play and and how it works.
And then Henry comes in, steadies the ship and and before
we know where we are. This is what I think is
fantastic about the way you're playing.
We didn't appear to be on top that we weren't.
They were changing the bowling round quite a bit.
(30:05):
A good crowd on the egg feels quick.
And I'm thinking, I'm not just sure we're on top of this, but
we were 100 for two, you know, with lots of always left.
And I'm, you know, I'm still satthere think, you know, I'm not
sure we're on top of this, whichis a ridiculous thing to think
when we've got what we've got available to come out and bat.
(30:25):
So, Tom, you've gone out there full of beans, I guess from the
day before. All disappointing.
Yeah, I think like a couple of the boys said it afterwards as
well. They were like you.
You will only learn that exactlywhat happened at the weekend by
doing it. So like you're 100 and I was
(30:47):
still trying to bat like I was 110 not out.
You know what I mean? Try to play this big booming
drive to 1 of the better bowlersand see you later.
Champion on your back. Yeah, and that and that happens
and of course it does. And, you know, but you know,
again, talking through the the attitude of the batters, it must
(31:09):
give you some solace that the the, the talent that is behind
you, you're not just carrying the side and you've got some
great players that can come after you.
And as it turned out, you know, that happened.
We, we didn't end up 160 or like130 or like it was a, you know,
a steady progress. I'm not bothered who talks me
(31:30):
through this, Joe or Tom, But itwas a bit of a shock for a lot
of people sat around when Toxie walked out.
What happened there? I feel like Toxie's a bit
underrated as a batter by a lot of people, not just like around
the league, by our, I don't know, people who watch whatever.
But he, I mean, I've seen him working really hard in the Nets
(31:53):
with Dan and obviously everybody.
And I don't know, I just feel like he batted like he should do
like normally does, you know what I mean?
He's a very, very, very good batter.
I mean, I mean, one of the otherthings on it, Tom, is that, you
know, there were probably, I think Toxie walking out to bat.
(32:15):
There was some probably some surprises by people who were
watching. But equally, he's never really
had an opportunity in our team because, you know, if you look
at the batting order for the past few years, that's, that's
the nature of the nature of the beast, I guess.
So another thing that allows is it allows like Charlie to do
(32:37):
exactly what he did, Charlie Cotton to do exactly what he
did. It gives him that extra bit of
time and then he can say like I've got 5 overs, I can just try
and smash it, which he does very, very well.
Same with Paddy, who we know is really good at closing out of
batting innings. They can just do their thing and
Toxie can soak up a bit of pressure.
He's like, he knows how to bat, he knows how to kind of do that,
(32:58):
but then also knows how to attack and then flick the strike
over when he needs to do as well.
I mean, but I think it's a it's a great point.
It's a great point, Tom. And I think I'd, I'd like to I
wonder if, I wonder how many of the supporters know that Toxie's
had like 500 runs, 600 runs in aseason, you know, 1.
(33:19):
You know, one year can did the double.
So did the amateur double. So it's not as though he's like,
he doesn't know what end of the bat to hold.
It's a very, very competent cricketer and and combat.
I mean, it's shown with the quite a few innings over his law
(33:39):
house career that is he can, he can bat.
It's just that he didn't. Know his highest season tally
for what? His highest seasons tally for
Lore House is 68 runs in a season.
Yeah. You kidding?
Wow. But he did get 622 for Nelson in
2014. Now, obviously that a lot of
(34:00):
that, like you said, Joe is downto lack of opportunity because
he's playing in a much better side than he was when he was at
Nelson. But yeah, that's quite a stark
contrast, isn't that? Oh yeah, massively.
I mean, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't disagree, but I
would say Toxie has been one of the cricketers that has, has
(34:22):
consistently wanted to bat and have the chance to bat.
So, you know, I think it's just,I mean, it just shows, you know,
as Toxie's, you know, totally walked out.
But again, he he if he backs himself, he's he's got a very
hits the ball in awkward places,in unorthodox places.
(34:45):
It's very difficult to bowl that.
And we actually saw some shots on the weekend that we've not
seen before. Some like sweet shots and and
and we've seen these a lot, but he's he's shot through the
covers and all the extra cover and stuff.
So I mean. Ben.
Ben must be thrilled really, because obviously we we know
(35:05):
Francois in that line and you look down, you think I'm I'm I'm
struggling to see where it whereit looks any weaker.
I mean, obviously class bat a lot of runs that you're going to
lose there and everybody battingaround Francois.
But and I know it's 1 swallow don't make a summer type of
situation, but you look down that team.
It's ridiculous. You know, you've got Charlie,
Paddy joy or can you as as bot 4IN that you know in that side
(35:28):
bottom 4, you know, with all duerespect to sort of 891011, but
it it gives Ben that flexibility.
If toxic can do that, just pushed up the order for a spurt
or if we lose a couple of wickets, then it's maybe Charlie
and Paddy to steady steady something.
He must be thrilled. We we you know, that's come off
(35:49):
first time of asking. I don't if other teams do their
own work or whatever, though, or, you know, plan, you know,
like against okay, this is Todd blind or but this is clitheroes
they're back like they see. He comes in at six and he always
tries to swing from his or so you know, and and if you if
you're less predictable and thenand you know, and they've got to
mix bowling up or they've got tochange the field settings or how
(36:11):
they approach the game, then it gives the opposition fruit for
thought as well. Doesn't get gets them out of the
comfort zone a bit. Yeah, great point, Gas.
And it's entertaining, you know,it's certainly people who are
listening and thinking that all spectators think that, you know,
these players don't know what they're doing.
It's the opposite. The players love it that sorry,
the spectators love it the way the players go about the
(36:34):
business. So it's, you know, it's
important that that that comes across and then, you know, talk
to you about so well, so sensibly.
Charlie comes out again, just works it around like a dream and
then start smashing it. Paddy's run out.
I thought Paddy looked in great.Nick and I thought he was going
(36:54):
to, you know, push us up. I think we're 282 with about
four or five to go. And I thought, you know, if we'd
get to 2:30, this would be fantastic.
And then and then you came out. Joe, do you want to just talk us
through the shop? Yeah, now.
(37:15):
Incredible. This was also thought out.
I want to talk it. Well, I tried, I had some, I'd
had some unbelievable and it wasunbelievable because not only
have I never played any of the, any of the shots before, I've
(37:38):
never even practised, but I'd managed to play some reverse
sweeps and some ramps on Friday in the 2020 and, and I thought
it was a good option, but as it turned out, it was one of the
slowest cricket balls I've ever.Seen.
And I said to Chaz I was walkingoff.
(37:58):
I said probably wasn't a good decision.
The maximum I would have got forthat was a one really high risk
strategy for one run. I actually don't reckon you
would have even got one, that's how slow this ball was it.
Would have just gone straight up.
Yeah, I think right behind the keeper and the keyboard stood up
for people who didn't watch and I reckon it would have just gone
(38:22):
just over he over him and just landed just behind him.
Yeah, I think you're right, Tom or even landed in his gloves.
But let's talk about your shots that did work because they for
the people who are listening, that is on social media.
And I actually write it on Sunday.
And you called it a ramp. And is it really a ramp?
(38:44):
It's more of a a. Scope a bit of a scoop.
Scoop, really. No, I don't know what it is.
It was just, yeah. It's awesome.
That's. Off the IT was off the cuff.
I don't well, I don't know aboutthat Tom.
It's more luck than judgement I think, but.
Yeah, I thought you were going to go into like a Cossack dance.
(39:07):
Well, based, I mean, on my previous history of gas.
You won't put it past me. I don't.
Think so to drop tea haunchers like I thought, hey, he's going
to be doing all, you know, the old live Russian.
Two step. I mean believe.
Believe it or not, when I did use to bat, I did use to sweep
off both knees. Sweep off both knees.
Yeah. What?
(39:31):
What? One shot on both.
Knees. How do you do that?
What meltdown? Yeah, yeah, I used to.
I used to have thought and the reason I want I saw Graham Lloyd
do it and it gave him option to hit a hard sweep or a reverse or
a paddle and it just meant that you're in a slightly different
(39:53):
position. I'm not.
You knelt down on both knees, almost in a praying position.
Yeah. Facing the bowler.
Yeah. And with all, all respect, Joe,
if they'd if he'd advanced in the right place, it could have
gone over your head and bowled you.
No. No.
(40:14):
He's not. At all.
If you knelt down, you know. He's not a garden wall.
I mean, no, thank you. Thanks, Tom.
Yeah, I'm not. The smells good, but no, you go
back in your crease and you go down.
(40:35):
We need to say this in next game.
I was going to say, is this audio?
Is this audio only or is this visual as well?
Yeah, no, it's just audio, but the the the listeners can watch
it, watch on YouTube the the shot that you played on on
Friday. So you know it was.
A massive it was a massive flukechess, but you know, if we can,
(40:56):
if we can, if we can hit in different.
The reason I did it on Friday was too windy.
It was too windy to try and hit it straight.
So you know. But let's talk about Tom's 100
again. Well, we've done that.
We want to talk about other stuff now.
OK Tom, just talk through. So you bowled from the park end,
(41:19):
which is different for a quick bowl.
Are you enjoying it from there? Yeah, yeah.
So because of the the way the wind was, wind was playing, the
way the pitch was playing as well and the way their bowlers
had bowled, we said me from the park end.
So I had the first over, which was nice as well and then
(41:40):
proceeded to bowl like a drain for my first over.
Pretty standard. Moved on to Patrick.
Then Patrick's steady away as always.
He was really, really good againon the on Sunday, we kind of got
the openers out. Who was it?
It was Reese Davis, wasn't it? And the guy I would.
(42:02):
Oh, Scott. Friend.
Yeah, Who got him out? You ran him out, Tom, Run.
Out. Oh, run out.
God, yeah, that was a good bit of fielding.
Reece Davis. Reece Davis run his pal out
Scott friend. But I mean cover just he was as
active as anybody was moved around like a like a leopard,
(42:23):
like a cheetah to run Scott friend out.
Then in terms of the bullet, notto hack myself up too much there
in terms of the rest of the bowling, Toxie was really,
really good, really patient. Paddy again was really good.
Joey Hawk wrapped up and got thepro out right at the end, which
(42:46):
was really nice. Which is, well, yeah, he did
ball really well. It was probably a time where we
needed him to get out as well. And like, just to kind of put
the nail in the coffin, really. We know we'd won, but just to
really kind of hammer it home. And yeah, for a point there that
Darwin obviously like looked like they were going to come
back. We kind of had them up the Creek
(43:10):
and then, yeah, they're pro. And then #8 who got handy runs
as well for them kind of combineto make a really, to make a
really good comeback. And then, yeah, Joey Hall
cleaned it up, didn't he? Finished it off.
And it's good to say, I mean, soif I can just go back on to what
(43:31):
you're saying that about the pro, you know, we're getting to
7 and over, pushing 8 and over. I think, you know, they were
down to maybe 5 or 6 wickets andit's we've all seen it where a
pro can just explode and then all of a sudden, you know, get
60 and 4 overs and the games turn in a little bit.
(43:55):
So it was important to keep thatpressure on.
So let's talk about Friday, whata great event it is, charity
event, every Good Friday at the Cricket Club.
Again, I'm going to promote it and make no apologies for it.
It's, it's a brain tumour charity that's in memory of, of
(44:16):
David Caple. And it's, it means, you know, it
means something to Law House because he did pro for us when
for many years ago at Nelson andhe obviously died of the brain
tumour. And it's his son that keeps the
charity going. And every, every Good Friday we
(44:37):
have an event and there's significant amount of money
raised. So thanks to everyone who
attended to that and thanks to the players who played.
It was fantastic to see so many people down there.
And, and I think it's fair to say due to significant amount of
money made behind the bar, whichwill help us going forward.
(44:58):
Did you play on Good Friday, Tom, Were you there?
I didn't play, but I was there, yeah.
Yeah, you had a good day. It was a fantastic day.
Yeah, those are the decking charges boys are always are
always really, really for a good, good crack as well.
And yeah, kind of awesome day for for the charities as well.
(45:19):
Yeah, yeah, it's brilliant. A few pints, some memories made,
some new friends acquainted withand everything's good.
So we'll move on to next weekend.
What's our thoughts? Would you have our thing on the
the fixtures next weekend? So.
(45:40):
Norden away. Yeah, Norden away.
Norden are a strong team. They had a tight game this
weekend. I think they've won against
Tonnelden, Did he? So always, always a good game
at, at at Norden for an experienced team.
So it'll be a it'll be a challenge, but let's see where
(46:03):
we get. Fantastic dude.
Can you release anything about is there anyone injured?
Is there any any changes? I think it's.
Probably a good a good time to plug is that Johnny's not
playing at the weekend because he's running the London Marathon
for a charity mind. You can still donate if you if
(46:23):
you want to. Fantastic.
So, yeah, so Johnny will be doing that and I can go all be
looking out for how he how he gets on.
It's it's a really great, reallygreat thing he's doing.
So yeah. Yeah.
So listeners, if you can just have a look on the he'll be on
(46:44):
our social media. Johnny's going out going and you
know, he's trained very hard forit and he's going to do this for
the man charity. So if you can go on and sponsor
him, it'll be, it'll be really appreciated that that'd be
fantastic. Do anything from yourself before
we move on to the draw, no? I don't think so.
(47:08):
Just to replace Johnny Declan, Metcalf's actually going to be
in the side on on Sunday. Declan's played at the club for
a few years now. He's still a young kid.
He's been leading run scorer in the 2nd 11 for the last
certainly last season and probably the season before
promising young correct batsman,so he's going to get his
(47:30):
opportunity on Sunday with Johnny being being away.
Yeah, I mean, good luck. It's good luck to to to deck.
He deserves his place. He has looked good in the in the
seconds of games I've watched. So, you know, good luck to him.
What a what a great side to be sort of coming into to sort of
(47:54):
make, I don't know if he's, I think he has played games
before. Actually, it's not his debut.
But you know, as a, as a kid coming in with not much
experience to be, to be coming into a side that's sort of
brimming with confidence and, you know, looking good.
I mean that that's the time thatyou want to be making your
debut, isn't it? Not, not sort of a team that the
opposite end of the spectrum. Yeah, 100% and you know, and
(48:19):
good luck there to Declan and I'm sure it'll be looked after
with all the with all the team and hopefully it gets, you know,
a good performance under its belt.
So that's it as far as the cricket goes.
Tom, if you want to stop on we're making the the low house
monthly draw, but you're more than welcome to go if you've got
(48:42):
got anything to do. Surprisingly, I've got now to
do, but yes, they're around for the draw.
Do you need me to draw some numbers or something or what?
No Joe's, Joe's always wiggling his balls.
He will get it sorted, so we will.
This is the April draw and there's four prizes £100.80
(49:04):
pound, 70 LB and 50 LB. If you can get the random number
generator up to 177 please. Make sure there's no lizards or
Sims in this in this. It's all random.
You can join, so you can join with a just send out, send me an
(49:28):
e-mail or speak to Joe Martin. I'll get you.
I'll get you in it. Nice.
All right, good luck 5. Pounds a month.
Yeah, All right, go on, Joe 12177.
Let's see. The first number, Jazz, is 103.
103 I mean, you, you'll you'll absolutely love this Joe Martin.
(49:50):
He's won a few times just recently.
Oh. Really.
Yeah, he's a great golfer. He's a really, really or he
loves his golf. He's a good mate of yours, Joe.
I think he's a bit of a better cops than you.
Can you guess who it is? How much for me?
Brownie. Nigel Brown.
Yeah, Nigel. Brown Brownie.
Oh fantastic. That's great news.
(50:13):
Popular. Winner.
Very popular winner. £100 What atop fellow.
I think he won. He won 12 months ago.
I'll never ever get over the fact that Nigel stuck up for our
house about 25 years ago in Aslington Cricket Club's bar
when someone was flagging us offand he and he kicked off and got
(50:36):
pinned against the wall. I'll not mention what happened
but he he stuck up for Loris when he weren't even a loriser.
80 LB Joe please, the next number. #44. 44 Tommy Bryler.
Tommy 8. Come on.
(50:56):
Is he a recent winner, Jack? He's recent.
Yeah, I. Think so?
Gas. So every time he wins, we can
talk about getting him on podcast and we do that.
Well, let's get him on. Let's get him on.
Let's get him and his brother. Well done, Tommy.
Let's just have a look, see if my records are up to speed.
(51:18):
Yeah. 2023, March 23. One.
Yeah. You think it's so long ago?
That's unbelievable. So £70, please.
Joe, can you spin your balls andgive us another number?
139. 139, it's 139 is Louise Cotton.
(51:47):
Right. This is ridiculous.
Another family you just win every month.
Well, it wasn't every month. I think you might find it
Realizer last month and then there was No One the month
before that and then Henry the month before that.
Oh, oh, sorry. Three out of four.
I do apologise, it's all. Right, I just picked out his
whole family one week. Yeah, and I haven't had nothing
(52:08):
since, have I? Oh Peaks and Trust prize.
Peaks and trust. 50 pounds £50 please Joe.
Number 69. Melanie Mark Norcross.
I think no, it was not long ago.Oh no.
(52:31):
December 21. Oh, fair enough.
So we've looks like we've got somebody who wants to join in
Tom Walker. If anyone else wants to join,
it's only £5 a month. We draw it obviously every
month. We try to do it as live as we
can, like this, and then publicise it because there were
(52:51):
some allegations years ago of the fixing which clearly wasn't
true. It's not true based on the based
on the, you know, randomness of the winners, right?
Well, and also and you're innocence that that one, when me
and Gary used to do it, it mighthave been fiddled a little bit,
but but we can't do that now. We never did it obviously, but
(53:14):
if anyone wants to join, please feel free.
We've had quite a few new members, a couple dropping out
for various reasons, but we havea few free numbers so please get
in touch. So, so I've just worked it out
quickly Jess. I think in 27 years I must have
paid in probably about over £1300, which are more than happy
to do, more than happy to do. I'm still alive, you know, and I
(53:39):
am still alive. What's your number?
What's Gary's number? Jess?
My. Number's 8585.
Joe Sorry, 8282. Well, that's why you've not won,
Gaz. And you're Chris is 85.
(54:01):
Well, that's where that's where I get 85 from then.
Yeah, he's won a lot of times. And I think you might find Gary.
You won £70 in January 2022. You might well hang your head.
Now you've only lost 1200 lbs. Yeah, that's it.
(54:22):
Before that. I'm happy to happy to happy to
donate it to the club. Yeah.
Which is what? It has been a donation.
Yeah. Your Benedict, your number is
35. Excellent.
And your and your last win was February 2020.
(54:42):
That's a long time. Yeah, 5.
Years ago, you have to. Rectify that soon, ASAP.
Yeah, Rachel, Rachel, your wife is 45.
Her number and Rachel was won a few times, but it.
Says here last. Time, October 22 is.
It shared when she wins. Oh, absolutely not.
(55:05):
Let me just go back to what I was going to mention.
Adam keeps putting stuff on here.
Charlie. There's no past 6000 Lancashire
League runs, which is some fantastic achievement.
I think it said he was 7th or 8th now in the top.
Batting tops his highest score for us at weekend and Joe Martin
(55:26):
needs 2 stumpings for 100 Lancashire League stumpings.
Good lad but really enjoyed thathe's such a good sporting
weekend, barely getting promoted.
Some good football watched and and obviously 2 great
performances from the first team.
Second team. A fantastic win at Greenmount.
(55:48):
Well done to those lads. We're looking at getting some of
the second team players on on the podcast, some characters on
there that we can get on and andhave a good giggle with.
So let's sort we keep the the run going.
Just as a little bit of a shout out, we've just released a
different type of podcast just recently around Gary and his
(56:10):
family and the the COVID situation of what they went
through with the issues they hadwith cancer through that period.
It's going down a storm with thelessons.
We're getting so much feedback, so much positive help and you
know, people who are thanking usfor recording it.
(56:31):
So thanks to Gary and your family for doing it.
Thanks to Joe Martin for jumpingin and everyone else who who
arranged and organised it. If you can just give it a little
listen, if you enjoy it, that's great.
Or pass it on to people who it might help.
It just never know. As we keep saying, if it helps
one person then then it's the real bonus.
(56:52):
Tom, thanks ever so much for coming on.
Your honesty and your openness of of how the game goes and how
you are have been performing. He's fantastic.
Thanks very much. I'm loving the bowlers, sharing
everything that that works very well.
Have you any final comments before we close this off?
No final comments from me. Peace out to the lower house
(57:12):
faithful. It's been an absolute pleasure
hanging with you fellas today. And yeah, good night everyone.
Brilliant. Thanks.
Thanks very much, Tom, don't forget to look at the
sponsorships, the sponsors who who are sponsoring, the players
who sponsor this podcast and theclub.
Please support them. The club is just growing and
growing, you know, to have a couple of 1000 people dying on
(57:34):
Good Friday and making the moneywhich Gen generates back into
cricket, it's fantastic. So keep supporting us and thanks
for listening Gordon. Gordon send more house to save
(58:04):
the house.
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