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They asked me if there was any chance of my playing the odd game for the club and although for many reasons I could not be involved on a regular basis, I did feel it would be appreciated if I could help out in an emergency.
The emergency arose fairly quickly, in fact, the following Saturday morning, and at an hour's notice I was on my way to play in an away fixture for Putney. Soon I was peeling off a sweater and attempting unsuccessfully to break a profitable opening stand.
After two or three fruitless overs the opposition umpire, doubtless trying to instil a little more confidence, pulled me on one side and quietly asked me if anyone had previously told me I had an action almost identical to that of Jim Laker, the old England bowler! He thought it was a pity I did not spin the ball as much as the Surrey stalwart!
This story is simply one illustration of so many amusing interludes during my association with Putney Cricket Club since I moved into the district some 14 years ago.
I suppose the conventional story of a professional cricketer is his rise from the obscurity of the lower echelons of club cricket through the higher standards of club and minor county cricket, to the first-class game and success at Test level. It is interesting to record for a change that my association with Putney almost tells the story in reverse.
On being reunited again with club cricket and club cricketers, one immediately realises how much is taken for granted in the game at international level. The only two real problems in a Test cricketer's life are those of keeping fit and maintaining the ability to score runs or take wickets.
This, I am sure, is exactly as it should be, but the club cricketer has to become involved to a far greater extent. I don't suppose that prior to my arrival at Putney I had cleaned a pair of boots or pads for 15 years!
Laundry had never been a problem for the simple reason that someone else had looked after it. Travel arrangements had always been taken care of - I had not pushed a roller or moved a sight-screen since schooldays and someone inevitably pushed a pint of beer into my hand at close of play. I did not have to support my county club in the evening or sit on various time-consuming committees or be involved in raising money to keep the club going by the medium of bazaars, raffles, etc.
For these reasons alone I never ceased to admire the very hard core of club members whose enthusiasm, fidelity and love of the game have ensured that club cricket in this country is the very lifeblood of our national summer game. Putney are fortunate to be well endowed with their fair share of such members and the proof of this surely is the centenary that we are now celebrating.
Long may they prosper.
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Saturday 1st XI
Division One
15 teams
| Pos |
Team |
Avg |
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| 2nd |
Whyteleafe |
17.73 |
| 3rd |
Putney |
17.55 |
| 4th |
Clapham Old Xaverians |
17.33 |
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| See table |
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Saturday 2nd XI
Division One
15 teams
| Pos |
Team |
Avg |
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| 9th |
St Lukes |
11.58 |
| 10th |
Putney A |
11.36 |
| 11th |
Balham & Tooting |
10.82 |
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| See table |
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Sunday 1st XI
Division One
6 teams
| Pos |
Team |
Points |
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| 3rd |
Old Rutlishians CC |
108 |
| 4th |
Putney |
63 |
| 5th |
Old Wimbledonians CC |
44 |
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| See table |
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Updated 27/7/10
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