January 30, 2023 - February 2, 2023
15 Players and 5 Partners (wags) excitedly arrived at the Blue Horizon Hotel -Rockley. 1 minute walk across the road to the ocean. Perfect!
The cricket started with a net practice and a warmup game against the West Indies, so we were well prepared.
The first words that I said to the players will be to rotate players so that everybody gets a fair go, injuries expected.
Mike Riley did a great job with the match reports so I will just comment on each game over-all.
First Game v England.
We struggled to141-Peter Oreilly 43 and Greg Hoysted38. England was cock-a-hoop. So, they were dumb- founded when after22overs they were 8/45, thanks mainly to Mike Riley with 4/27. All out 126.What a great way to start the tour.
2nd Game vs Rest of World. --Which included Four Aussies.
They won the toss and chose to bat on a wicket that early on was made for bowling. All out for 46. Our opening bowler Stuart Ridge outstanding with 9 overs,6maidens,5runs/2 wickets. In reply Allan and Eric didn't lose a wicket in an hour's batting.
3rd Game vs USA
Everybody scored runs
258 Kent Officer-73 (a couple of big sixers)
Wicket keeper Claud Orlando -42
Doc Richardson-53
Greg Hoysted-run-a-ball-35
USA -68 Mike Riley taking another 2 wickets.
So as our habit after a game had become, Back to the Hotel, a swim in the ocean, a choice of about ten cuisines for dinner just 5 minutes up the road, a nightcap of Mt Gay rum and whatever, (Especially after a group of us had enjoyed the Mt Gay rum making tour-the oldest rum distillery in the world,) we were loving Barbados.
4th Game vs West Indies - Our Hardest Game.
They made 144- Mike Riley taking another 3 wickets. We made hard work of the run chase, being 6 for 99, then just when it seemed like Glen Richardson would get us home with a well compiled 31, he was MANKATED by the opening bowler. This did not please the Aussies and half the West Indies even dropped their heads. It was a shame really because we had been getting along well with the West Indian players, we played the warmup game as well. Anyway, I said to our players let's not make too much of it and we did not. We ended up winning the game by 3 wickets with 5 balls to spare. Dale Thornton and Peter Miller bringing us home with some intelligent batting.
5th Game vs Invitational XI.
We were way too good for them.272 with all batsmen getting into the 30's. In reply 109 and Mike Riley claiming another wicket.
So, we had won all our pool games which meant we played England in the Final. The tournament organisers changed the venue to Kensington Oval, a "Test Venue" for Barbados. So that was a thrill.
The Final vs England
England batted first and made 239. We had restricted them to about 6 for 175 off 36 overs then Gordan-Lennox teed off and took the game away from us with 74 off only 55 balls. So, chasing Peter O'reilly and Eric Higgins started steadily at 4 runs per over, but we lost four quick wickets and never recovered to be all out for 168. Eric 53 and Doc 40 the only batsmen to get going. A disappointing end to our tour but we had played some excellent cricket. Everybody contributed at some stage to make it a very enjoyable tour.
Mike Riley won the tournament award for most wickets—12@ 8.83- Not bad for a 70y.o. Stuart Ridge was No 2 in player rankings for the tournament and Archie Dudderidge No 4.
So, in summing up, a great tour. Well organised by Barbados Cricket.
One highlight being our Catamaran Sailing Cruise with the Rest of World Side in which our own Stephen "Google" Moore, after drawing blood by playing silly buggers and jumping overboard, led us with gusto in singing " Will I ever see you again " with a couple or f words thrown in, as we were coming back into port. Some other tourists were heard to say, (oh, those uncouth Aussies,) but we didn't give a damn. We had had a great afternoon.
I conclude with some thank yous. Archie Dudderidge did a magnificent job as manager. Roger Bryce did a power of work prior to the tour and was awarded the " Anne Harrison Memorial" award.