As the cricket world looks forward to another season (in the U.K) I want to pay tribute to the many millions of players who really make this the game we love so much - those being the regular weekend club cricketers. I was blessed to be part of a very special team way back in the previous century. This team came together when a couple of other clubs looked like folding which was a loss that a few of the founders of Orange City Cricket Club, (Orange NSW, Australia) wouldn't allow to happen.

Orange City Cricket Club (The Warriors) formed in 1968 and after a reasonably competitive season they went on to win the 1st Grade Premiership in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973. The team composed of 4 specialist batsmen (two lefties and 2 right handers, 2 wicket-keeper batsmen, 3 fast bowling all-rounders, complimented by left arm and right arm finger spinners.

It was a team formed of friendship and mutual respect, practising twice a week, turning up on Saturday for the game and many hours of bonding afterwards at the local hotel who sponsored them.
In the end, it wasn't just the winning that counted, the team turned us into better men who cared and played for each other.

We became friends for life. That's what cricket offers up.

I make this post in the hope that club cricket will continue to be there to give opportunities for players of all levels to make friends, play a great game and be in my position; being able to remember how good it all was!