Can the West Bromwich Building Society hijack Birmingham’s corporate cricket trophy?
Whatever happens on Wednesday at Britannic Park, Moseley, there will be a new name on the trophy, as WBBS and their opponents St Philips Chambers have both reached the final of the four-year-old tournament for the first time.
My cricket scribe tells me it could be a close contest as both sides are well supplied with talented all-rounders. He also tells me two gifted club cricketers will also have key roles in the final as rival openers.
Leamington CC’s Richard Swann with his elegant strokeplay has proved WBBS’s key batsmen offering an interesting contrast to the blitzkrieg batting style of Australian Richard Nowell, who plays for Earslwood CC in the Cotswold League as well as enjoying the interesting job title of “brief librarian” working for St Philips.
The barristers also field two players with past links with first-class cricket sides. Their captain Matt Weaver played for Essex Under 19 in his youth and all-rounder Alastair Smail played six games for Oxford University in his student days.
My award for best team administrator in the corporate tournament sponsored by Williams de Broe goes to the WBBS captain Peter Batterbsy.
Britain’s monsoon summer meant his side had to wait seven weeks for an evening dry enough to play their first trophy fixture. And he managed to remain sane despite organising sides for seven matches that never took place, a total which included three failed attempts to stage the group match versus St Philips.
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I arrive at chilly Edgbaston – the cricket variety – to watch England v India. A one day affair – bish, bash, bop.
My first revelation is the amount of HP Sauce former England fast bowler Gladstone Small slaps on his bacon buttie.
It looks rather like the sludge which has wiped out the flooded Worcestershire ground, and probably tastes like it.
Never have liked HP Sauce. A taste I have failed to acquire.
The supporters are finding it a touch cold – the event, not Gladstone’s buttie.
The BBC’s Nick Owen is bemoaning his failure to put on a vest – some sort of throw back to his public school days – while one of the more elderly matrons has come prepared, with her winter knickers on.
Too much information, surely.
I chat with Brian Woods-Scawen, chairman of West Bromwich Building Society, whose cricket team is hoping to land the John Bright Trophy, a competition far more important than a mere one-dayer.
At the time Ian Bell is some 40 not out – he goes on to make more than 70 – and one wonders whether he can be made an honorary WBBS member for the day.
Will the bell toll for the WBBS?
How many ringers are thrown into the mix? Watch out for a ding dong outcome.