Oz Watch - Week Eight
Interesting Fact: Did you know about Clifton CC link to an Australian member of the ICC Elite Umpire Panel who has officiated in 107ODI’s and 98 Test Matches? In the 1980’s Rod Tucker (Pictured) was a swashbuckling Aussie overseas player for Farnworth CC and it was there he bumped into then Clifton CC Pro, Stuart Adams, or more accurately, Rod’s Sister bumped into Stuart! Soon the couple were married and Stuart jetted off to Oz, never to be seen again.
Zach continued his opening batsman role for the start of the two day game against bottom club Officer CC. Officer is a suburb of Melbourne named after the principle employer in the area in the mid-19thcentury. Zach’s 39 (48 balls, including 5 boundaries) provided a solid start for the rest of the batting order, who piled up 309 runs which they will hope to defend on day two next weekend, to pull clear of the bottom regions of the league (sorry, ladder). Zach may be a tad disappointed to have presented are turn catch to the bowler having created a base for himself, but hopefully the experience he is gaining from opening the batting in grade 1 cricket will stand him in good stead for April 2026. The 2-day match continues next Saturday.
Up the road, Churchill CC had an exceedingly bad day at the office against Glengarry CC, who leapfrogged them in the ladder leaving Ryan& Jordy’s side in sixth spot out of eight. Chasing last week’s 237, they fell to a resounding 106 run defeat, despite Ryan top scoring for Churchill CC with 47, following up his 5 for 47 on day 1 last weekend. Jordy scored 6 with the bat and was one of nine Churchill CC batsmen to fail to reach double figures.
After being called up for the 2nd day of Northern Suburbs CC grade 2 cricket last weekend, Sam found himself selected to start this weekend’s 2nd grade one day game. The downside to this promotion is that he no longer features in the principle batting and bowling lineups as you might expect, and so it proved, as his side knocked off City United CC’s144 inside 16 overs for the loss of only 2 wickets. It’s a great credit for Sam to feature at 2nd grade level and hopefully he can bide his time and cement his place in the side and start to contribute with the bat that will compliment his undoubted fielding prowess and improve his all-round skill set.
Scorecards:
Zach – Here
Ryan & Jordy – Here
Sam - Here
Oz Watch - Week Seven
Sun 16 Nov 2025
INTERESTING FACT: Did you know that the first Australian police force that was formed in 1789, was made up entirely of 'well behaved convicts'. Rumours persist that the same recruitment criteria was implemented by the London Met in the 1970s.
With the first day of Pakenham's two day game washed outlast week, the game reverted to the 40 over format away at Upper Beaconsfield some eight miles to the North East. The home team won the toss and Pakenham made a decent start with neither opener reaching double figures, but partnerships of 71 and 55, the latter ended by another Flaxman stumping, meant that the hosts posted a decent 175-4 at the end of their 40 overs. With Zach promoted to open the batting, they didn't get the start they needed as, after Zach fell for five with only six on the board, Pakenham then slipped to 26-3, a position from which they never really recovered. Despite the middle order all getting starts, none of them were able to build on that base and the innings fell away to 151-8 and a 24 run defeat, a result that leaves them second bottom and looking forward a week to another two day game and a visit from the bottom club, giving them the chance to move up the table.
Churchill's two day game started in similar fashion with home side Glengarry winning the toss and electing to bat. Ryan Ayres opened the bowling and made quick inroads with three quick wickets as none of the top four reached double figures. In a remarkably lopsided innings, Glengarry were all out with nine of their batsmen failing to reach double figures, and three failing to score at all, but with the other two batsmen scoring 110 and 87no,they were able to bat for one ball short of 90 overs and post an imposing 237all out. Ryan Ayres finished with 6-47 in a mammoth 24.5 over spell, but Jordy was wicketless as his six overs went for 28 runs. Hopefully the weather will allow the game to conclude next Saturday as Churchill set about chasing the 238needed for victory.
Sam sat out his Northern Suburbs 3rd grade side's exciting two wicket win against bottom side Kurri & Weston on Saturday, as he was asked to play the second day of the club's 2nd grade game. The Northern Suburbs had posted 309 last Saturday and with one of the side unavailable for day two, Sam took part in an exciting finale that saw Kurri & Weston's 2nd graders fail to surpass the 309 by just seven runs in a game of 600+ runs. Sam took a catch and bowled three overs for 20 runs as he coped well with the 'promotion' to grade two cricket.
FOOTNOTE: If any of the lads fancy nipping along the A1 to watch the first day of the Ashes this week, they will need to plan for a thirty six hour drive of around 2,200 miles !!
Scorecards:
Zach – Here
Ryan & Jordy – Here
Sam – Here
OZ Watch - Week Six
Mon 10 Nov 2025
Interesting Fact: Australia is home to the longest fence in the world. The Dingo Fence, also known as the Wild Dog Barrier Fence stretches approximately 5,614 kilometers (3,488 miles) to protect south eastern Australia's sheep farms from dingoes. The fence is about 2 meters high and extends 30 cm into the ground to prevent dingoes from digging under it and it is visible from outer space.
The Melbourne Monsoon put paid to any possibility of any play in day 1 of Packenham's two day game against Upper Beaconsfield, which will resume as a one day game next Saturday. It also put paid to the second day of Churchill's game which was so delicately poised.
However, 600 miles further north, Sam Winstanley was inaction for Northern Suburbs against Medowie, scoring 30 out of a total of 184all out, before the visitors innings ground to a halt at 68-9 with Sam's bowling expertise not required. Sam entered the fray batting at 6 with three cheap wickets having already fallen. A fourth fell with less than 30 on the board and but for Sam's contribution and a spirited 63 from their number 9batsmen, it could have been a less challenging total. The resounding result helped dispel the defeat against the bottom side and lifted the 'Burbs to 4th in the table (or ladder as they call it down under). Sam resumes next week against Kurri & Weston CC, a 20 mile trip due South.
Scorecards:
Sam - Here
Oz Watch - Week Five
Sun 2 Nov 2025
Cricketing rivalries in Melbourne and around the Country, were put on hold at the weekend following the death of seventeen year old Ben Austin in a freak accident at net practice, when he was hit in the neck area by a cricket ball, resulting in an injury very similar to that which Australian test player Phil Hughes suffered 10 years ago. His club, Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, lies just 20 miles away from Pakenham CC and the accident, to which the coroner attached no blame, brings home how, despite the best efforts of all, these freak occurrence can happen when nobody expects them. Clifton CC add our thoughts and condolences to the whole of cricket Australia as his devastated family try to come to terms with their sad loss.
On the field, as predicted last week, Pakenham's total of183 was too far below par to seriously trouble opponents Clyde Cougars, despite Zach's top score of 46 and the opposition spending the week at 4-1 in reply. The Cougars were indebted to their opener who remained unbeaten at the death with 102* as Pakenham were dispatched by four wickets inside 80 overs. Zach had a busy day behind the stumps, adding two further catches to the one he captured at the close of play last Saturday. After losing three top order wickets in quick succession, a half century by bat no.5 sealed the deal with the Cougars running out winners despite five of the eight batsmen failing to reach double figures.
Jordy's Churchill side started their own two day competition on the 1st November and will have been well pleased to have reduced opponents Traralgon to 141 all out after bowling 78 overs and restricting them to around1.8 per over. Ryan Ayres carried on his bowling form from last week with 4-38having bowled a mammoth 22 overs and Jordy also picked up a wicket, bowling six overs for just ten runs. There the good news ends though, because in the 14overs possible before the close, Churchill were reduced to 16-4. Astute use of night watchmen seems to have kept both Jordy and Ryan away from the middle and the stage is therefore set for the pair of Poms to ride to the rescue and knockoff the 126 needed for victory next Saturday.
Sam's game against Rutherford CC was abandoned, one of threeof the four in that section that didn't take place in the rainy Sydney area.
Zach – Here
Sam – Here
Jordy & Ryan - Here
Oz Watch - Week Four
Sun 26 Oct 2025
Zach's Pakenham side entered the second phase of the season, leaving behind the 40 over format for a series of two day games that take place on successive Saturdays. Pakenham batted first and will perhaps be a tad disappointed with their 183 all out, secured in 74.5 overs. Knowing that Zach likes to strike the ball from the off, it was good to see how well he adapted to the longer format, as he top scored with a patient innings of 46 off 83 balls with five fours in his strike rate of 55.4. There's no doubt that the patience that this format demands, could be of great benefit as he strives to build a reputation as an opening bat back home. His day wasn't finished there however, as opponents Clyde Cougars lost their opening bat, caught behind by Zach, off his very first ball. Two overs were possible as the visitors reached4-1 at the close with hostilities to be resumed next Saturday.
Despite posting 234-8 off their 50 overs, Jordy and Ryan did not make much impression with Ryan managing four and Jordy a twelve ball duck. Jordy's contribution ended with just a catch as he was wicketless as well, bowling his five overs for just sixteen as Centrals were bowled out for 143. It was a different story for Ryan however, as the skipper ripped out the top three with just 20 on the board, and followed up with another two, finishing with a match winning 5-39 off 8.3 overs. Churchill CC commence their two day programme next week and it will be interesting to see how Jordy adapts to this unfamiliar format.
Sam's Northern Suburbs welcomed arch rivals Western Suburbs, who made the short three mile hop over the Hunter River on Saturday. The opposition were sitting rock bottom after two defeats so far, but posted their first victory after Sam's side could not chase down 167. Hardly surprising that they struggled after the first four batsmen amassed just two runs before Sam arrived in the middle to steady the ship with 30. However, wickets continued to tumble and only a half decent last wicket partnership prevented humiliation as the side went down by 23 runs. Sam also tasted defeat on Sunday when he turned out for Maitland Flood against Newcastle Rebels in a cup tie which ended in a resounding seven wicket defeat with 13 overs to spare. Sam chipped in with a catch, bowled a wicketless spell of five overs for 22 runs, and sadly could only muster four with the bat. That's not the end of things however, as the initial stages are group games so there are several more cup ties to look forward to.
Scorecards:
Zach - Here
Jordy & Ryan - Here
Oz Watch - Week Three
Sat 18 Oct 2025
Interesting fact: Mint sauce entrepreneurs should take note. There are more than three times as many sheep in Australia, than there are people.
With Australia managing to avoid the rains that blighted New Zealand, Jordy and Ryan's Churchill CC got their first win under their belts with a comfortable win over Moe CC who, at 17 miles distant, are probably regarded as near neighbours. The game hinged on a veritable Brit-Blitz after Jordy removed the host's top scorer, as he and Ryan Ayres then removed five batsmen for just two runs. A stubborn last wicket pair recovered the mayhem to post 153 at the interval, with Jordy (3-29) and Ryan (3-34) taking the plaudits. With six of the seven Churchill batsmen reaching double figures and the generous hosts contributing 20 wides, the run chase ended in a five wicket win with it being Ryan's turn to follow up Jordy's top score of last week, with a top score of 26. Sadly Jordy had to settle for just 7 this week, but posting a first win gets their side off the mark for the season.
It was an even shorter hop for Cardinia Bulls trip across Melbourne where, unfortunately, Zach's Pakenham side, after starting the season brightly, fell to a second successive defeat despite Zach featuring in the best partnership of the innings before being run out for 26. After calling for a quick single, Zach was millimetres short of his ground as, after a combination of a lightning direct hit, Zach's bat sticking in the turf and some rather overexuberant appealing, the finger went up and the partnership was over. Sadly, only Zach and his partner managed double figures on a dismal looking scorecard with number 11's 6 not out being fourth top score in a total of 132. Zach had earlier captured three victims, including two smart stumpings as their guests posted198-8, but the asking rate of five an over was beyond Pakenham who must now gather their loins for a 12 mile trip to Clyde Cougars who sit in mid table on the same points as Pakenham.
Further North, Sam's Northern Suburbs side fell an agonising three runs short against Bowthorne in a match that produced almost 450 runs with no fewer than sixteen bowlers utilised. After being inserted by Sam's skipper, the home side made a positive start with Sam once again opening the bowling, this time without success. After employing no fewer than nine bowlers, the home side had posted an imposing 221, but with Northern Suburbs openers smashing 100+ and 50+ the game swung back in their favour. Sam weighed in with15 batting at three as the middle order edged toward their target with the run rate climbing. In the end it was just a bridge too far with the 'Burbs finishing an agonising three short on 218-6.
Scorecards
Zach – Here
Sam – Here
Jordy & Ryan – Here
Oz Watch - Week Two
Sun 12 Oct 2025
Interesting Fact: Australia is roughly 31 to 32 times bigger than the UK in terms of land area. This is calculated by dividing Australia's total area of about 7,688,287km2 by the UK's area of about 243,610km2. (See Pic).
- Calculation: 7,688,287 ÷ 243,610 = 31.56
Week Two:
Sam Winstanley took the plaudits in week 2 of the adventure down under, as his Northern Suburbs side were the only winners out of the three in week 2.
Winning the toss and batting first, Sam batted at seven and opened his account with a promising 29, including five fours and a six, as his team posted 182-8 in their 40 overs. His day didn't end there though as he next found himself opening the bowling! He didn't disappoint either, bowling his five overs for only eight runs and capturing his first wicket, with a maiden also thrown into the mix.
A mere cockstride of 800 miles further South, Jordy Higham also had a good day at the office, despite finishing on the losing side. He will have been delighted to outshine skipper Ryan Ayres however, scoring 32 to Ryan's 15 in a disappointing total of just 116. Jordy smashed two fours and two sixes in his innings, which was his side's top score, suggesting that he won't be batting at number 8 for long. Earlier, opponents Morwell has posted 175-5with Jordy bowling 10 overs and taking 1-33, again eclipsing Ryan's 0-39 off 9.
Sadly Zach's Pakenham CC also went down as opponents Tooradin posted an impressive 276-3 in only 40 overs. Zach got to the crease with two overs of the Pakenham innings remaining and his single run was hopefully the first of many as his side managed to pass the 200 mark but fell 57 runs short of their target.
Scorecard for Zach is Here
Scorecard for Sam is Here
Scorecard for Jordy & Ryan is Here
OZ WATCH: Following Our Lads Down Under
Thu 9 Oct 2025
As the English Winter sets in and our square starts its well earned rest, three of our Clifton lads (And with Ryan Ayres on Baby-Sitting duty) have headed for sunnier skies and faster pitches in Australia.
Zach, Sam and Jordy are spending their off-season playing club cricket in Victoria and New South Wales, and we thought it only right to keep tabs on their adventures, both on and off the field.
Enter ‘OZ Watch’ (Found under News tab) Your weekly dose of updates, anecdotes, and cricketing curiosities from the Southern Hemisphere, all expertly scribed by our very own Chief Reporter. Whether it's wickets, runs, rain delays or rogue BBQs, we’ll bring you the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
To kick things off, we thought we'd start with a bit of a geography lesson…
Zach and Jordy are in and around Melbourne, around 60 miles apart from each other (See Pic), but Sam, is some 800 miles away in Maitland at the Lorn Park Oval, which in north of Sydney.
Week One: And with Sam having to wait a week before his fixtures start, you would think that Jordy and Zach were still in blighty with Jordy being rained off and Zach trying to hit his third ball from Melbourne to Sydney and steepling the ball so high that it came down with snow on it (do they have snow in Oz – who knows?).
There the bad news ends though as Zach’s Pakenham Premier team won the toss and lodged a challenging 196-9 in their forty overs. Opponents Devon Meadows were never in the hunt after Zach snaffled two catches to remove both openers, a position from which they never recovered being finally dismissed for only 108 in the 34th over.
Zach’s next outing is against Tooradin on Saturday 11th. Meanwhile Jordy will hope to beat the rain on Saturday against Morwell and Sam’s side face Kurri and Weston, also on Saturday 11th.
Scorecard for Zach is HERE