DEBUT FOR THE AUTHORS XI
Playing cricket for one of the world’s oldest wandering teams (sort of)
On Sunday, I had the great privilege of making my debut for the Authors XI, one of the world’s oldest wandering cricket teams.
Founded in 1891, the Authors began as a place for writers to meet and talk, boasting PG Wodehouse, Arthur Conan Doyle and JM Barrie as early members. The team had to be revived twice, first in the 1960’s and then again in 2012, but has been going strong for the past 13 years, adding celebrated authors such as Sebastian Faulks and James Holland to its ranks. And it is with great pride I now add my own name to that list (yes, one book qualifies you to play and no, big sales figures aren’t required!)
Well, sort of.
I actually played for the President’s XI against the Authors XI (the President being the President of the Authors XI). Nevertheless, with so many authors on each side I’m counting it as a debut, and what a wonderful day it was.
Not having played since school six years ago, I was a little nervous when I agreed to keep wicket for the President’s. We took to the field at about 1pm, just as the sun was reaching peak strength, baking Little Marlow’s already brown cricket pitch.
However, I needn’t have worried too much. Thanks to a brilliant outswinger in the first over of the match, I found myself gratefully pouching a simple catch on the fourth ball of the match leaving the Authors 0 for 1.
Later, as the spinners came on and my head was slow cooked inside my helmet, I took another catch, this time more sharply, as the ball entered the gloves a split second after being edged. Keeping continued in a generally tidy fashion, conceding perhaps four or five preventable extras, but not missing any stumpings, run outs or catches.
With the score at 100-7, it looked like a low total for the Authors, but some late hitting dragged them to 148 all out from 28 overs. Still, it was a very gettable total thanks to the rock-hard pitch and scorched outfield.
And surpass the total we did, but no thanks to me. Coming in at number four, with the score relatively healthy, I hit three singles before falling to a well-bowled arm ball that hit the top of off stump. Oh the ignominy of being bowled in front of new teammates!
Nevertheless, my more capable fellow batsmen knocked off the runs at a brisk rate, and the President’s surpassed 148 with four wickets and ten overs to spare. Afterwards, we enjoyed a fine spread of beer, rosé, strawberries, sandwiches, sausages, crisps, cake, pastries, and scones with jam and cream - all while watching England dismantle India’s top order on someone’s phone - and sharing plenty of banter with new friends.
I hope there will be many more.