First in the series of favourite TCC/ PVCC elevens. Club Secretary Scott Russell picks his favourite XI from both TCC and PVCC.
1. Shiraz Ramzan. Only played a few years with Shiraz as he moved from junior to senior cricket. Very attacking opening batsman and a fantastic fielder. Hugely entertaining off the field too.
2. David King. Steady player. A student of the game who always makes a game contribution. Great guy to have in your team.
3. Dougie Russell. One of the best players I have played with. Fantastic bat, dangerous bowler and very rarely drops a catch. Big focus on team performance where everyone is required to make a contribution. He also takes the team captaincy as he has a proven record of good decisions.
4. Omais Altaf. A classic batsman who scored runs regularly. Technically the best batsman I have played with. Safe hands and an occasional bowler who offers something different.
5. Chad Williams. Only played the one season with this Ozzie but someone you want in your team. Total all-rounder who has taken one of the most stunning catches I have ever seen. Great guy to go to the bar with.
6. Nick Grainger. Big Harrogate lad who played a three seasons for PVCC. Scored big and scored quick. Another all-rounder with no weakness in his game.A fantastic team mate who was great company at the bar too.
7. Mark Anderson. Big character who is capable of winning games with either bat or ball. One of the very few quicks I've come across and would be in contention with a biggest 6 competition.
8. Gary Findlay. Off spin and occasional leggie who lives and breathes cricket. Fun loving who does not take matters too seriously. Solid fielder and another contender for the biggest 6 competition.
9. Scott McMillan. Very difficult to pick Macca and not pick Derek Wright too. Macca has the talent of encouraging players to play shots and then bowls a jaffa. A very healthy strike rate secures him in the XI.
10. Sheljo Jose, A very useful quick bowler who delivers problems due to his height. Safe hands and a tail-ender who regularly delivers runs at the end on an innings.
11. Scott Beveridge. What he makes up for in keeping ability Bevo makes up for in effort and commitment. You also need to take into account the tea catering that is supplied by his long suffering wife. The team wicket-keeper.
12. Luke Hextall. Luke was the first 12th man in my first final. Lucky mascot or not Luke was a useful bowler, safe fielder and sometimes an entertaining batsman. Funny guy to have around too.
First Reserves
Batting - Ian Patterson
Bowling - Graeme Barrie
Keeping - Aiden Hoenigmann