News
12.8.26
We will keep the fixture list pinned at the top of this news feed and ensure that Play-cricket is in sync with it.
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Date |
Opponent |
Venue |
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Sun 8.3 |
Nets 17.00-19.00 |
Featherstone Sports Centre UB2 5HF |
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Sun 15.3 |
Nets 17.00-19.00 |
Featherstone Sports Centre UB2 5HF |
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Sun 5.4 |
Nets 15.00-17.00 |
Featherstone Sports Centre UB2 5HF |
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Sat 11.4 |
Crossbats |
Marble Hill Park TW1 2NL (12.30) |
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Sun 19.4 |
Byfleet |
Byfleet KT17 7AB (1.30) |
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Sun 26.4 |
Merton Hawks |
Dundonald RG SW19 3PN (1.00) |
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Sun 3.5 |
Putney |
Dundonald RG SW19 3PN (1.00) |
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Sun 10.5 |
Seven Sports |
Abbeyfields KT16 8PT (1.30) |
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Sun 17.5 |
Empire |
Dundonal111d RG SW19 3PN (1.00) |
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Sun 24.5 |
London Theatres |
Wycombe House TW7 5PJ (1.00) |
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Sun 31.5 |
Hook and Southborough |
Hollyfield School KT9 1PN (1.00) |
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Sun 7.6 |
Teddington Town |
Teddington Town TW11 0EA (2.00) |
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Sun 14.6 |
Salix |
Barn Elms ST SW13 9SA (1.00) |
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Sun 21.6 |
John Buckner XI |
Wycombe House TW7 5PJ (1.00) |
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Sun 28.6 |
Sheen Park |
Sheen Common SW14 7ER (1.00) |
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Sun 5.7 |
London Itinerants |
Dundonald RG SW19 3PN (1.00) |
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Sun 12.7 |
Windsor Great Park |
York Club SL4 2HT (1.00) |
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Sun 19.7 |
- |
- |
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Sun 26.7 |
Whalers |
Barn Elms ST SW13 9SA (1.00) |
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Sun 2.8 |
Putney |
Putney Lower Common SW15 1BP (1.00) |
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Sun 9.8 |
Clapham In |
Dundonald RG SW19 3PN (1.00) |
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Sun 16.8 |
Plastics |
Wycombe House TW7 5PJ (1.00) |
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Sun 23.8 |
Whalers |
Wycombe House TW7 5PJ (1.00) |
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Sun 30.8 |
Millfields |
Haydons Road RG SW19 1EX (1.00) |
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Sun 6.9 |
John Buckner XI |
Wycombe House TW7 5PJ (1.00) |
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Sun 13.9 |
Salix |
Dundonald RG SW19 3PN (12.30) |
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Sun 20.9 |
Hook and Southborough |
Dundonald RG SW19 3PN (12.30) |
2.8.26
The race to 500 wickets is on. Sanjay Patel currently has 494, Hemin Patel 486. Seven games remain in 2026. These two players are remarkably unconcerned with their own performances but it's interesting nonetheless.
2.8.26
2026 Season Played 16 Won 8 Lost 8
Runs
A. Ahmed 349
Z. Ahmed 203
S. Patel 189
A. Hussain 183
N. Dubey 179
A. Chaudhry 156
V. Gulati 149
N. Sinha 147
A. Parvathaneni 138
A. Doshi 125
P. Panjeta 118
Wickets
H. Patel 25
H. Malik 19
S. Patel 16
S. Ahmed 12
Catches/stumpings
Sinha 5/2
H. Patel 6
S. Patel 6
V. Gulati 5
Putney
Putney won toss
Sunny, 29C
Putney 96 (28.1) (Ransom 46, H. Malik 6-18)
Gents 97-0 (13.2) (A. Ahmed 56*, Kota 37*)
An astonishing game that occupied only 41.3 of the scheduled 80 overs saw a crushing win by the Gents on a dustbowl of a wicket that offered prodigious turn and bounce. H. Malik demolished the hosts’ batting to card the first six-wicket return since H. Patel’s 6-23 against Phoenix in 2024. The spinners took eight wickets. A. Ahmed and Kota saw the Gents home with a blistering first-wicket stand of 97 in only 13.2 overs. Twenty-four overs before Wycombe House First XI’s spinners had taken seven Barnes wickets in a total of 109 before romping to a nine-wicket win in 14.5 overs. It was therefore a weekend that the slow bowlers will remember with affection for a very long time.
There was little sign of the mayhem to come in the first nine overs, though Dubey struck with a lifter that looped up off Garlick’s glove on 17, the ball describing a beautiful parabolic arc into the safe hands of ’keeper Chaudhry. Gents then swapped ‘keepers, Sinha doing the needful with Chaudhry rather letting himself down by attempting to hand his box to the umpire. Ransom was batting well (he would go on to score 46 of his team’s 90 runs off the bat) and the board read 42-1 off nine overs when skipper S. Patel opted for a double change by bringing on Malik and H. Patel.
Malik struck with his second and fourth balls, bowling Sorger and inducing an edge of Hones into Sinha’s gloves, 42-3. Cooper soon followed, also edging behind: 52-4. Ransom looked good for a fifty before he was run out. Harris called for a sharp two off a ball clipped to Kota at deep mid-wicket. A perfect pick up and throw into bowler H. Patel and it was 74-5: Patel bowled Bedson and then caught Harris off Malik, 75-7. The slow left-armer took his fifth and sixth when captain Burton-Taylor (whose disposition along with his team-mates remained as always sunny and friendly all day) and Gulrez fell to catches by Kota and Sinha, his third. Chaddha batted stoutly before Chaudhry bowled him, 96 all out.
This quirky ground has hosted cricket since 1870 and its unusual configuration, with pitch and pavilion separated by Lower Common South, means that a healthy walk is necessary to take the very good tea. It was therefore a longer break than usual before A. Ahmed and Kota strode to the middle in conditions of searing heat, the gentle breeze having long since dissipated. The distinctive gazebo was a Godsend.
Putney kept their heads up in the most unpromising of circumstances, but the batsmen were unforgiving. Ahmed (three sixes and four fours) and Kota (seven fours) were in complete control and victory was gained in under an hour. It was a splendid stand on a difficult wicket. There followed an enjoyable social outside the clubhouse in the evening sunshine. The sons of Messrs. Hussain and Z. Ahmed played football on the heath and proved themselves somewhat influenced by the Argentina team in some of their tackling.
Barn Elms ST
Whalers won toss
Sunny, 26C
Whalers 243-6 (35) (Hussain 77, Yadav 53, Kalagond 43*, Raman Preet Singh 35, H. Patel 4-51)
Gents 244-6 (33.4) (A. Ahmed 75, Gulati 36, A. Ahmed 30, Sinha 30, S. Patel 20*)
Won by 4 wickets
In a season dominated by opposing batsmen, Gents achieved a remarkable record of their own at sunny Barn Elms. Their 244-6, contributed to by every batsman, was the club’s highest score batting second and by definition the highest successful chasing score (previously 235-9 v. 12 Angry Men in 2000). Z. Ahmed’s powerful yet graceful 75 was his third 50 for the club and a personal best.
All this was achieved by a side including four young teenagers - Sufiyan and Daaniyal Ahmed, Aayan and Rihan Zahid – Ketan Patel, who had not played for the Gents since 2016 and had played only one game in that time, albeit only a fortnight before this epic affair, and Whalers guest Jaspreet Singh. It was also Sinha’s first game with the gloves and very well he did, executing two stumpings, motivating bowlers and fielders, and keeping the batsmen on their toes.
On the Monday only five were available, so special thanks are due to those who played and those who found guests. A cancellation would have been catastrophic against this popular and friendly opponent.
On a warm but breezy day Whalers won the toss and batted. Despite some probing lines by captain S. Patel and A. Zahid, Raman Preet Singh and Hussain were untroubled in posting 76 for the first wicket. The double change to Gulati’s pace and S. Ahmed’s leg breaks quickly proved successful, the youngster pinning Singh lbw. Hogg soon followed stumped Sinha, a wicket planned by bowler and ’keeper. Sinha asked Ahmed to bowl one with some width, Hogg danced down the pitch, missed and Sinha took off the bails, 86-2. Interestingly, the umpire did not call a wide which would not in any case have obviated the stumping (Law 39.1.1, 39.4).
Whalers then dominated with Hussain, Yadav and Kalagond scoring heavily. H. Patel made it 152-3 by catching Hussain off his own bowling, a neat take as he had to run back a fair distance to mid on. The off-spinner went for seven an over but had three successes in his last, having Yadav stumped, bowling Jain and having Teja caught by long on Gulati, 212-6. Kalagond and Kadambari added 31 to leave Whalers on a healthy 243-6, the required run rate 6.97.
Everyone did his job in the reply. A. Ahmed and Sinha gave Gents a fast start, 49 off seven, before Ahmed was well held by slip Hogg diving to his right. Gulati and Sinha took the score to 91 before Sinha was run out by a direct hit. Gulati was lbw on 116, but S. Ahmed unleashed some delightful strokes batting with his father before he too was run out for 19 off 20 balls, 125-4. Singh ran well with Z. Ahmed to take the score on to 180 off 27, an important partnership in which Ahmed unleashed some glorious drives.
The asking rate at this point was exactly 8.00 but the productive overs then came with 12 and 17 off overs 28 and 29. S. Patel was assertive from the word go and even the dismissal of Ahmed for a brilliant 75 did not phase him. H. Patel was in one of his steely moods and runs came quickly, there being eight balls and four wickets in hand when the target was reached with a four and a single from H. Patel off the nippy Yadav. Whalers did not deserve to lose and were sporting in their praise of the victors.
So ended a cracking match followed by enjoyable socials with Whalers and Salix, who had played Quokkas on the top pitch. The Ahmeds and the youngsters went off to net and play football, the stamina of fit teenagers on a summer’s evening being infinite.
Top 5 scores batting second by Gents
2026 Whalers 243-6, Gents 244-6 (won by 3 wickets)
2023 New Romney and Littlestone 254-9, Gents 239-9 (lost by 15 runs)
2023 Millfields 260-4, Gents 237-8 (lost by 23 runs)
2000 12 Angry Men 231-3, Gents 235-9 (won by 1 wicket)
2026 Merton Hawks 233-5, Gents 234-6 (won by 4 wickets)
12.7.26
York Club
Windsor Great Park won toss
Sunny, 31C
Gents 299-7 (35) (Parvathenini 138, Z. Ahmed 32, Kota 31, Sinha 29, Gulati 24*)
Windsor Great Park 49 (11.5) (Elliott 26, S. Ahmed 4-13)
Won by 250 runs
Abhinav Parvathaneni’s first club century (138 off 71 balls with 15 fours and nine sixes) propelled Gents to their highest score in three years. The demoralised hosts lasted only 11.5 overs in the reply, a maiden four-for there for Sufiyan Ahmed, and tumbled to a defeat by 250 runs, the greatest margin of victory by the Gents.
Parvathaneni was masterly and received solid support throughout the order as the inserted Gents fashioned a series of partnerships. Z. Chaudhri, the returning Kota, Sinha, Z. Ahmed and Gulati were relentless. Even after Parvathaneni retired out with 11 overs left the momentum failed to stall.
After tea, Great Park were clearly not up for the fight and capitulated. Captain S. Patel opened with the slow left-arm of H. Malik and the leg breaks of S. Ahmed and after 10 overs the scoreboard read 41-6. Ahmed had two catches taken by long on Gulati, one caught and bowled, and a bowled. H. Malik had opener Turner caught by slip Z. Ahmed off a reverse sweep third ball of the innings, and one after a similar shot had earned him four. He bowled his second victim. A double change to Sinha’s leg spin and H. Patel’s off spin wrapped up the innings in just 11 more balls. Z. Chaudhri took a simple stumping off each of them, Z. Ahmed a further slip catch off Sinha to see off the brave Elliott and H. Patel bowled the No.11 Sanderson.
It was a shame that at one of the finest grounds ever to host the Gents (perhaps Sloane Club in Chelsea and Victoria Ground in Cheltenham come close, but few others) there was conflict, led by three of the Great Park team who let their club down. Several Gents were sworn at and one physically threatened. In accepting this fixture, Gents described themselves as medium-weak, so did not misrepresent their strength. They were punctual and treated their hosts respectfully. It should have been a friendly, sporting match in the sun but was far from that.
Dundonald RG
London Itinerants won toss
Sunny, 28C
Gents 250-5 (35) (Gulati 77, Panjeta 67, Doshi 52, A. Ahmed 38)
London Itinerants 254-6 (34,4) (Saha 74, Korwar 66, Mailanki 47, Maitra 38)
Lost by 4 wickets
GOWLCC vs London Itinerants XX – Match Report (The One Where We Melted in 30°C)
The Itinerants won the toss and shockingly decided to bowl first — clearly they fancied a long day of chasing leather in the Wimbledon heat, writes Hemin Patel. The pitch was flatter than a dosa, so the batters tucked in while the bowlers sweated out their life choices.
Batting – The Good, The Bad, and The Edgy
A. Ahmed and Puli opened up. Ahmed started like he’d come straight from a power-hitting masterclass, cracking boundaries for fun. Sadly, the running between the wickets was… let’s say ‘optional’. The oppo ran like they were being chased by wild dogs; we ran like we were waiting for an Uber. Puli contributed to a partnership off 33 before attempting a six over square leg that ended somewhere between ‘ambitious’ and ‘why?’.
Enter Gulati. First few runs came off edges so streaky they could’ve been served with chips. But once he settled, we got vintage Bobby — clean hitting, swagger, and the occasional reminder that he can bat properly when he feels like it.
Ahmed fell for 38, bringing Doshi in. He and Bobby put on a classy 107-run stand before Bobby decided to miss a full toss and walk off pretending it was unplayable.
Prince arrived and immediately started batting like he was late for a dinner reservation. A rapid 67, while Doshi played the sensible grown-up innings of 52. We finished on 250-5, and the Itinerants looked like they’d aged 10 years in the sun.
Bowling – Chaos, Cracks, and Complaints
We opened with Sanjay (the golden oldie) and Nilesh ‘Sick Note’ Dubey. Sanjay bowled beautifully, picking up two early wickets. Nilesh… well… he bowled like someone who’d been told he had to field for 50 overs afterwards.
Bobby and Prince bowled well, but the Itinerants kept finding boundaries like they had Google Maps set to “GOWLCC fielding gaps”.
Then came H. Malik and H. Patel. The pitch gave them nothing. Zero. Zilch. They were basically bowling on a runway. Malik got hit. Patel got hit. But Patel, being Patel, produced a wicket out of absolute nonsense — ball hits a crack, changes direction like it’s avoiding traffic, and bowls their best batter. Vintage chaos.
With runs flowing, we looked done. Finished. Ready to go home. But Gulati and Prince pulled things back, and S. Ahmed got the big wicket of Korwar.
Then came the final overs, featuring tension, tight bowling, and N. Dubey arguing with the umpire like he was trying to return a broken toaster.
We lost by 4 wickets. Pain.
The Itinerants were brilliant — great batting, great running, great spirit. We’ll happily play them again. Preferably when it’s 18°C, our fielding doesn’t resemble a group of uncles looking for shade, and N. Dubey promises not to debate the Laws of cricket mid-over.
Vintesh 'Bobby' Gulati
Vinitesh made his 100th. appearance for the Gents in the match against Sheen Park. He made his debut on 13 May 2018, in the win over Wimbledon United, taking 7-1-18-3 but not batting in the reply.
A talented all rounder and good friend to us all, here are his statistics to date:
M. 100
Inn. 91
NO 22
Runs 2,535
Avg. 36.74
HS 102* v. Brentham 2019
O. 468
M. 57
Runs 1,729
W. 102
Avg. 16.95
Econ. 3.69
SR 27.53
BB 6-12 v. Hounslow Hurricanes 2024
Ct. 46
28.6.26
Sheen Common
Sheen Park won toss
Sunny, 26C
Sheen Park 179 (34.4) (George 88, Latham 42, Gulati 4-23)
Gents 180-7 (32.3) (A. Hussain 87, Panjeta 32)
Won by 2 wickets
With H. Patel’s controlled edge over slip, the product of years of experience and no little skill, the ten men of the Gents won a thriller, the third win in succession. S. Patel captained superbly, neither batting nor bowling himself in order to give his team-mates a game. His decisions were spot on all day. A. Hussain’s 87 (78 balls, 16 fours) held the reply together with fine support throughout the order, led by Panjeta. Earlier, George and Latham had built the foundation of Sheen Park’s competitive 179-9 with a stand of 86 in 16.2 overs, George going on to make 88. Taha Aftab, son of Wycombe House’s Secretary Khurram, debuted but an eleventh man could not be found after a late withdrawal.
A glance at the card of Sheen Park’s first XI match from the day before confirmed that Lucas Latham had carded 10-4-17-2 and Matty George 5-2-20-7 in demolishing Thames Ditton. Though he was busy in the field, Latham would bowl only 2.3 overs while George did not bowl at all. This was sporting of the hosts who played a very fair game.
The hosts chose to have first use of the green wicket. A. Chaudhry soon bowled captain North and Gulati had Kallipetis well held by diving cover A. Hussain, 29-2. George and Latham were severe on first-change H. Malik but A. Hussain and Panjeta bowled well in tandem, carding 7-0-23-0 and 7-1-19-2. The stand ended when Latham, having taken H. Patel’s first three balls for two, six and four, struck the fifth to deep mid-wicket Panjeta, who took a well-judged catch. Panjeta then took a double wicket-maiden in his fifth over, bowling Harris and Gorvin. Lumsden spooned back to H. Patel for a duck.
George was untroubled as he went up through the gears to 88 before picking out H. Malik off Gulati. This was followed by spectacular language and a bat hurl for the ages, though FrogBox missed the fun. Gulati struck three times in his second spell, H. Malik once and Sheen Park were 179 all out. The bowling had been steady and the outfielding committed. Five chances were given and five taken. It has been many games since such a statistic could be recorded.
Z. Ahmed was off the mark with three fours before being the first of Latham’s four catches, a low one at slip off Brennan’s slow left-armers. The same fielder then pulled off a worldie at deep gully to dismiss Aftab off Jones, who with 7-3-10-2 was the pick of the bowlers. That was 36-2 which became 78-4 with the dismissals of the returning Puli for 8 and a rare duck for Gulati, caught Latham at slip.
Prince Panjeta batted beautifully for his 32 while his partner Hussain was masterly. The fifth wicket saw 61 put up in a mere 9.2 overs which ensured that run rate would not be a concern. Provided the Gents were not dismissed, victory would surely be theirs. Prince holed out but A. Chaudhry helped add 36 in 33 balls to take Gents to the brink of a notable win. Hussain fell caught and bowled Latham on 175, Hussain holed out off Gorvin on 178 but H. Patel and A. Chaudhry saw the Gents over the line.
21.6.26
Wycombe House
John Buckner XI won toss
Sunny, 30C
Gents 168-6 (35) (Doshi 73*, Z. Ahmed 25, A. Ahmed 21, Miller 3-13)
John Buckner XI 157 (33.4) (Davies 42, Thompson 42, Hagerty 32, Gulati 3-19, Dubey 3-23)
Won by 11 runs
Gents held firm under pressure to record their second consecutive win, taking the last five wickets for four runs and the last four for none. With three wickets apiece Gulati and Dubey grabbed the headlines but Malik and S. Patel were no less of a challenge and deserved their successes. Adeel Doshi, who scored a composed, fluent 73* (eight fours) to complement his 59 for Wycombe House IVs the previous day, and Adnaan Haq became the 11th and 12th debutants of 2026. John Buckner tracked the asking rate throughout their innings but could not quite get over the line, frustration the Gents know only too well.
Thompson inserted the Gents on a sultry day. His lads made an immediate impression with their dynamic fielding, and the hosts soon declined in the teeth of a varied attack to 55-4 including two caught and bowleds. Doshi and Z. Ahmed then added a sensible 81 in 99 balls. The leg-spinner Miller had been sidelined through heatstroke but recovered well enough to take two wickets in his final over. S. Ahmed batted sensibly with Doshi to add 32 for the seventh wicket. It was encouraging to see a return to form for the captain and his brother. Both teams seemed content at the break.
Gulati struck early, bowling Sproul, whereupon Thompson unleashed some delightful shots in his 42. Malik and S. Patel reduced the visitors to 88-5 with two wickets each, both inducing an edge into Dubey’s safe gloves (Malik’s to dismiss Thompson), Malik also earning an lbw and S. Patel a bowled. But as Gents had done for their fifth wicket, John Buckner did for their sixth, Davies and Hagerty being largely untroubled in putting on 65 in 12 overs. It was 142-5 off 31 then 153-5 off 32, 16 needed off three.
The game then turned on its head as the visitors suffered a catastrophic and irrecoverable reversal of fortune. The first over of Gulati’s second spell, his sixth, had proceeded without event but in his final over he tore in, conceding four runs but castling Hagerty and Davies, 157-7, 12 needed off two. The game did not reach its final over. Dubey had ten minutes before given back the pads and gloves to the captain, a sure sign that he was going to be called on to bowl. Off a shortened run he bowled Turrall first ball of the over then immediately had Robertson well held by cover Haq. Miller blocked the third but was then bowled next ball to the great joy of the Gents, 157 all out. One had every sympathy for the affable visitors. The Gents know what such defeats look like.
It was perhaps significant in a game won by 11 runs that Gents conceded nine fewer extras than their opponents. Support from Messrs. Joshi and Puli was most welcome.
14.6.26
Barn Elms ST
Salix won toss
Sunny, 20C
Gents 180-7 (35) (Dubey 99*)
Salix 177 (34.4) (Chennareddy 65, Kulasingam 49, Darling 24)
Won by 3 runs
A game that stretched the boundaries of imagination and belief ended in unseasonal darkness with a Gents win by three runs. A Salix side with five guests had looked in control of the run chase, but the unplanned retirement of Chennareddy at 131-3 seemed to disturb their equilibrium. The Gents smelt blood and were in a state of ecstasy when 8.4 overs later S. Patel sealed the win by running out Balasubramaniam. Earlier, Dubey’s monumental 99* (102 balls, 12 fours, mainly off the front foot with one regal late cut past third man) was the foundation of a healthy score by the visitors. With impressive energy and commitment, the team secretary would later bowl three overs and keep wicket for part of the innings. He and A. Ahmed splendidly conceded no byes; indeed, Gents ceded only nine extras compared to 24 by Salix, an important differential in such a tight game, the hosts outscoring Gents with runs off the bat 168 to 156.
Four successive losses had given the Gents pause for thought, the only worse run having been seven defeats in the first seven games played, straddling 1988 and 1989. Salix came into this game with a 2-1 record, the Sunday before scoring 242-2 to beat Whalers by eight wickets, while their other win, against Demijohns, owed much to the performances of the loaned S. Patel and Sinha.
The Gents’ innings was a lop-sided affair with Dubey aside only Sinha (12) and S. Patel (11) reaching double figures, but this does not tell the full story. The innings consisted of a series of useful partnerships between 17 and 30 with every batsman complementing Dubey as he continued on his merry way. At 92-5 in the 19th over, a collapse (based the form of recent weeks) seemed possible but the lower middle-order dug in to bring up 180-7 at tea. The bowling had been accurate and the ground-fielding determined, but seven catches were shelled.
Salix were soon 21-2, with S. Patel dismissing C. Reddy caught Dubey at gully and Mendis bowled. By now Chennareddy was at the crease and the runs began to flow. The introduction of spin at both ends encouraged the Gents. Darling holed out to mid-wicket Panjeta off H. Patel, 74-3 off 16, 107 needed off 19 at 5.6. Captain Kulasingam gave assertive support to Chennareddy as they tracked the rate and soon it was 131-3 off 26, 50 needed off nine.
Madness then descended. L. Reddy strode out to the middle in full batting armour carrying a bat. It was thought that Chennareddy wanted to change his bat, but no, he strode off the pitch, 65 runs to his name, to announce ‘We’re going to win the game anyway and my friend wants a bat.’ He would later try to no avail to downgrade his mode of dismissal from Retired out to Retired hurt (more accurately Retired not out), which would have meant that he could if needed resume his innings. ‘Can your friend bat?’ inquired a Salix player. ‘Oh yes.’ came the reply.
We never got to find out. Kulasingam struck Malik for two fours and a single. There followed a dot ball to L. Reddy who was then bowled for a silver duck. Out came Sandeep who was brilliantly caught first ball by S. Ahmed, a one-handed effort at gully diving to his right. Malik would close with 2-29. That was 140-6. Kulasingam was still there, however.
One run later, Peck went for a duck, clubbing to Gulati at deep mid-wicket off S. Ahmed, 141-7. It was pleasing to see the big man back. Eighteen came up for the eighth wicket whereupon Chaudhry was introduced as the eighth bowler. He bowled Kulasingam for 49 first ball, 159-8, and with the last ball of his second over had L. Reddy caught by Sinha at long on, a superb pressure catch in the descending gloom and arguably the moment of the season so far. That was 171-9.
S. Patel bowled the final over with Salix needing 10. Cox struck out and took twos off the first three balls. He played the fourth back to the bowler and sprinted up the pitch. A clean pick up and sensible underarm throw in to the ’keeper was all that was needed but such was the barmy nature of the previous hour’s cricket that nobody would have betted against the throw eluding Dubey and going for buzzers, or even aliens abducting the players in a spaceship. But no, he took the throw cleanly and had the bails off with Balasubramaniam yards short. At the moment of victory, one felt for the No.11 who did not bowl, was relegated to last man and then run out without facing.
So ends a longer than usual match report but such was the incidence of dramatic events that it proved difficult to condense. If the reader has made it this far, let the club policy on batting retirements be repeated. Unless it has been agreed beforehand by the captains or stipulated in the rules of the competition (e.g. retire at 50 used to be a common rule in the Sunday T20 format), you stay out there until you are out or carried off injured.
Ninety-nines
Dubey’s score is unique in club history, though there have been six scores of exactly 100 and one of 98*. Opponents have scored two.
99 C. Wright, Judd Street Tigers (Paulin Ground 5.6.16)
99* H. Khan, Pak (LMPF Greenford 5.8.18)
99* N. Dubey v. Salix (Barn Elms ST 14.6.26)
7.6.26
Teddington Town
Teddington Town won toss
Cloudy, 18C
Teddington Town 174 (35) (Virdee 56, Roshawan 31, Singh 22, S. Ahmed 3-29)
Gents 91 (21.5) (Z. Chaudhri 21)
Lost by 83 runs
The losing run continued after a nightmare batting collapse but there were elements of their play which Gents could take heart from: the bowling was challenging with seven wickets falling to spin, some neat catches were taken and Zohaib Chaudhri’s opener’s dig showed considerable fortitude. Elsewhere, it was a poor show with Gents leaving 79 balls unused as the batsmen imploded with poor shot selection. At 45-2 off 8.3 overs the visitors were well placed. Eight wickets then tumbled for 46 in 13.2. R. Haq and P. Panjeta debuted.
Town won the toss and chose to bat on the Saturday strip which had seen their Firsts 21 all out en route to an eight-wicket defeat by Malden Wanderers. Virdee held the innings together with 56 off 62 before the back-to-form H. Patel clipped his off stump. H. Malik with 2-43 and S. Ahmed with 3-29 complemented Patel’s 2-26 and there were wickets for M. Gilkes and R. Haq. S. Patel took three catches, Z. Ahmed, H. Malik (off his own bowling) and P. Panjeta one each, while Z. Chaudhri took a stumping and Sinha ran out R. Singh to finish the innings off the final possible ball. Three catches were dropped but Gents were satisfied with their work in the field.
Unfortunately putting all the elements of the game together in a game is proving beyond the Gents at the moment. Panjeta opened his account with a six and a four before being bowled, a fate that beset all of the top five. Though he would berate himself for not despatching a few loose early deliveries, Z. Chaudhri batted resolutely. But elsewhere it was a sorry tale as wickets tumbled, none of the batsmen doing justice to his abilities.
Going into the Salix game, the fact remains that Gents have scored only 387 runs in four games for the loss of 39 wickets, while opponents have racked 787 for 25 wickets. A curious statistic is that in three of these games, Gents have batted for between 21.2 and 21.5 overs which is not going to win many games. Morale is on the top level, the squad is gelling, the bowling is fine and the captains have shown strong leadership, so it is imperative that each batsman should sell his wicket dearly. The wins will then follow.
Thanks are due to Richard Gilkes for scoring and to the wives and children of the Ahmeds and Arslan Chaudhry who came along to spur the chaps on. With Town enjoying vocal home support, there was a good atmosphere on this delightful ground.
31.5.26
Hollyfield School
Gents won toss
Sunny, 23C
Gents 162-9 (40) (A. Chaudhry 75, Isaacson 3-22)
Hook and Southborough 165-3 (32.2) (Oliver 63, Milton 38, Pai 36)
Lost by 7 wickets
May ended with the sixth defeat in eight games as Hook and Southborough won by seven wickets to gain their first win in this series, at the third attempt. Gents batted their 40 overs for a workmanlike 162-9 but could only take three wickets in the reply. The game was a late addition to the card as the planned oppo for both sides had bailed. This transpired to be for the best as H&S hosted well and were excellent company.
A. Ahmed won the toss and batted and after three overs the captains, in a re-enactment of the January 1998 West Indies v. England Test, decided that the pitch was dangerous, Solomon getting one to lift past Dubey’s furrowed brow. Play was moved to the Saturday strip which behaved perfectly well. Not that it was of great assistance to the Gents who fell to 52-4 off 15 overs with Dubey, Choudhri and the Ahmed brothers back in the hutch.
Chaudhry’s chanceless 75 off only 63 balls with eight fours and a six (which took him to 50) was a fine knock and the highest of the season so far. He added 73 with the resolute S. Ahmed to bring Gents to 125-5 after the early collywobbles. Late runs from Kulasingam and S. Patel brought up the 150. A delicious tea was universally appreciated.
After a good effort with the bat it was a shame that the bowling was not on point. The seamers offered too many four-balls and poor H. Patel had a rare off-day (4-0-33-0). The result was that the veteran openers Milton and Oliver were untroubled in posting 72 in only 14.4 overs before Milton top-edged Kulasingam to young A. Zahid at backward square leg. No.3 Pai proved similarly resolute as 73 came up for the second wicket before Oliver fell leg-before to S. Ahmed. McInnes became the third and final Gent success when he popped up a juggling caught and bowled to Z. Ahmed. H&S had seven wickets and 46 balls in hand when Ilyas drove the winning four.
Postscript 1: The 1998 Test in Jamaica
The first Test between England and the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, was called off after less than an hour's play after both captains agreed that the pitch was unfit for play.
It was the first time in Test match history that a match had been called off because of the state of the pitch. England skipper Mike Atherton took his players off the field after England lost three quick wickets and his batsmen were repeatedly hit trying to cope with the unpredictable bounce on the newly-laid Sabina Park wicket.
The pitch was showing eccentric bounce even in the first over. David Williams, behind the stumps for the West Indies, was stretching above his head for some deliveries while other balls were bouncing twice on the way through to the wicket-keeper. Both Graham Thorpe and Alec Stewart were struck repeatedly as they tried to judge the bounce and keep the ball down.
Postscript 2: Trust your own judgement
The captain of another oppo had become aware of the fixture and WhatsApped the Gents to say that H&S were very weak and that the Gents should bat first. They did, and were well beaten. This insider information did not inform A. Ahmed’s decision to bat.
24.5.26
Wycombe House
Gents won toss
Sunny, 31C
London Theatres 324-5 (35) (Wilson 102*, Pyne-James 78, Blackburn 33, Townsend 30, Milton 27, H. Patel 3-52)
Gents 71 (21.2) (Kane 5-19, Brown 4-4)
Lost by 253 runs
Records tumbled in hot and steamy Osterley as the Gents were dismantled. London Theatres, late substitute for Actonians, were a talented side, but all credit to the Gents who had their measure for 23 overs, holding on to four out of five catches to leave the card reading 136-5. Pyne-James and Wilson then posted an unbeaten 188 off 74 balls to put the matter beyond the hosts. Only an observer with a heart of stone could have failed to sympathise with the Gents in the final stages of the innings as 17 sixes and 14 fours were struck. The fielders, it is pleasing to record, maintained their discipline throughout.
R. Patel won the toss and chose to bowl. As it transpired, it was the correct decision despite, the Patels apart, the unflattering bowling returns. It was muggy and unpleasant at 1pm but was forecast to become even more so by late afternoon. R. Patel struck in his third and fifth overs thanks to catches by mid off H. Patel and deep extra cover Sudireddy. H. Patel then stepped up as he has done so often with three wickets, a bowled and two fine catches by young S. Ahmed diving at gully and Z. Chaudhri stooping low at long on.
The Pyne-James/Wilson stand is a candidate for the most brutal seen in a Gents game. They scored at 15 runs per over and no part of the hedgerows was left untrammelled in the frequent ball searches. The sound of irritable scratching of pen on paper by the club’s archivist could be heard as old records were broken and new ones set.
When chasing 325 to win on a hot afternoon, a side perhaps does not want to be 4-4 off three overs but that is what happened. Sinha looked good and A. Chaudhry and S. Patel got starts but that was about it. Kane took five wickets and Wood four while Wilson supplemented his ton with three catches. The visitors kindly allowed twelfth man A. Zahid to bat and A. Ahmed to return to the crease as lowest scorer (tied with five others). It was a rare stroke of luck that they brought a twelfth man.
Not only did the Gents lose heavily, but they also suffered grotesque misfortune, with Joshi (back spasm) and Kulasingam (finger and head injury incurred while trying to take a catch) unable to bat. Get well soon, chaps.
One doesn’t want these reports to be mere statistical compendia, but the fact has to be faced that there have already been three record wicket stands and four centuries against the Gents in 2026, and we are not yet at the end of May.
Records broken here include:
324-5 is the highest score by an opponent (previously 303-8 by Fighting Stars in 2023). It is also the highest score in a Gents game on this ground (previously 317-5 by Gents against Fighting Stars in 2023)
253 runs is the highest margin of victory in a Gents game (previously Gents beat Sloane Club by 245 runs in 2008) and by definition the highest margin by an opponent
188 is the highest sixth-wicket stand by an opponent (previously 100 by Dane and Walton of West XI in 2000)
17.5.26
Congratulations to Nilesh Dubey who has made his 200th. appearance for the club. His first was in 2009.
Members of the 200 Club are:
484 Sanjay Patel
337 Hemin Patel
248 Stuart Snelling
219 Tony Buck
211 Andrew Burman
200 Nilesh Dubey
17.5.26
Dundonald RG
Empire won toss
Cloudy, 17C
Gents 63 (21.5) (Sinha 22, Shafaya 3-10, Mahin 3-14)
Empire 64-1 (10.2) (Robin 26*, Zakaria 20*)
Lost by 9 wickets
This was a massacre in which abominable batting by the Gents led to eight wickets tumbling for 25 runs in a mere 51 minutes. The result was a crushing defeat. Empire are a good side but such was the lack of pressure applied to them that any potential weak links went undetected. This was the worst batting performance since the 53 all out batting second against Wimbledon United in 2017. The difference is that that day the opponents batted first so a full game was ensured.
Captain R. Patel drove three early fours before being caught and bowled whereupon his team-mates gave a horror show. There seemed no reason for it but the fact remains that batsman after batsman hit the ball in the air straight to fielders. Chances were offered in the cordon and all points of the compass in front of square and eight out of nine were taken. Add in the stumping of S. Patel (at 30-7) and nine wickets fell to fielding dismissals, an all-opponents’ record. There were five ducks. Only Sinha with a brave 22, well supported for the last wicket by 11-year-old Ayan Zahid (7*) in a stand of 23, saw the Gents’ lowest score of 52 (on a greasy unplayable wicket at Gunnersbury Park in 1991) eclipsed. Only eleven times had the Gents been dismissed for fewer runs, however, and only three times batting first.
The attitude of the Gents was not all that it might have been. The constant chirp and ludicrous appealing of the visitors upset some players who did not focus properly on their own game. The Gents have faced loud, in your face teams before and not been found wanting. Why they caved in here is a mystery for the ages, though lack of pre-season nets might have contributed.
With such a small total to defend, the hosts’ early resolve was tested by an early dropped catch. There was only one success when S. Patel bowled Anas on 24. Empire then coasted to the win in a mere 10.2 overs at the absurd hour of twelve minutes to four after a mere 32.1 overs had been bowled in the day. It had been a nasty, brutish and short afternoon.
Thanks to Ashar Manzoor and Ayan Zahid for guesting.
10.5.26
Abbeyfields
Gents won toss
Cloudy, 13C
Gents 151 (31.3) (A. Hussain 50, A. Ahmed 43, Milton 5-37)
Seven Sports 135 (32) (Childs 45, Ward 31, H. Patel 4-20, H. Malik 3-25)
Won by 16 runs
Gents closed out a narrow win in the pretty market town of Chertsey. Seven wickets fell to spinners H. Patel and H Malik, S. Patel claiming the other three. Northfields had bailed but Seven Sports (founded in 1948) stepped in to host, which they did very well. They proved friendly and the teams were well matched. The game swung this way and that which made for an exciting match, completed impressively early at ten past six despite not starting till a quarter to two. Gents convened a football match that swung on a neat finish from young Daniyal Ahmed, who took advantage of some fannying about in his own penalty area by A. Hussain to slot home.
This was Aamir Ahmed’s debut as captain. He won the toss, chose to bat (the first time in six matches for the Gents), and hammered Milton, whose day would soon improve, for four fours in the second over. It was 55 in the fifth over when Ward bowled his brother Zahid with a looping off-break. Hussain maintained the momentum, clearing the mid-wicket boundary for a mighty six but once the skipper had gone, top-edging behind, the dismissals of S. Ahmed and Hussain (50 off 48 balls with seven fours and a six) gave Seven Sports hope.
Milton, taken off after two overs, then romped through the middle order. With his perfect run up and model action he was a sight to behold. The score declined from 109-4 to 131-9 when Kulasingam joined A. Chaudhry. He took Rabbani’s first over for four fours to bring up 150. It had been a curious innings, Gents in utter control at the beginning and end with the hosts bossing the middle overs. It was then tea, and what a tea it was. A wide choice of sandwiches, pizza, fruit and cakes, washed down with piping hot tea. Five stars on Tripadvisor.
The second innings traced a similar pattern to the first. F. Rabbani top-edged to slip A. Ahmed in the third over, but the beefy captain Childs and Ward added 69 off 67 balls, Childs surviving five drops, two of which were simple. Gents then struck twice before drinks, H. Patel snaffling Ward, who lofted to A. Hussain on the long on boundary, and A. Rabbani, bowled H. Malik.
Gents needed those wickets and came out after drinks galvanised. Hart fell lbw – 86-4 – and then came the big wicket of Childs, superbly caught by slip A. Ahmed off a mistimed cut, 97-6. The spin twins were now in complete control as Seven Sports declined to 118-8, Kulasingam taking a good diving catch to cover to see off Murray.
Milton and Hill were looking sound when S. Patel began his second spell. Hill struck him for two fours, the first of which injured Z. Ahmed at deep mid wicket, 133-8 and the game in the balance. Two came from A. Hussain’s second over. Six balls later Gents had clinched the win when S. Patel bowled Clemence and Hussain.
It had been a fine contest that tested the skills of all participants. It will be a pleasure to play these guys again.
3.5.26
Dundonald RG
Putney won toss
Sunny, 19C
Putney 247-4 (35) (Webster 134, Puntan 72*)
Gents 207-6 (35) (S. Patel 70*, Joshi 60*, A. Ahmed 45, Chadhra 3-34)
Lost by 40 runs
A fourth-wicket partnership of 199 between debutant Webster and Puntan (the fourth highest in the club’s 723-match history and an all-opponents record for the wicket), won the day for Putney. Gents fought hard in the reply, R. Joshi (his maiden 50) and S. Patel adding an unbeaten 137 for the seventh wicket but Putney played well and deserved to win.
There wasn’t much difference between the teams in the batting (though Webster and Puntan were masterly in their judgement of a quick single) or bowling but Putney had the clear edge in fielding. They dropped little and their ground-fielding was slicker, body behind the ball very time. They even worked out how to field down by the trees at the Dundonald Road end. It’s not so much a matter of flinging oneself about, more keeping one’s eyes on the ball and staying alert. Gents must improve this aspect of their play.
Early exchanges were even, Dubey, Malik and Z. Ahmed striking to reduce Putney t0 48-3. Then Puntan joined Webster. What followed was a dark period for the hosts and a golden one for the visitors. Yes, a few chances went begging and the ground-fielding was on occasions below par but all credit should be given to the batsmen, who deserved their success. A stand of 200 was denied off the final ball of the innings when R. Patel stumped Webster. The Gents did not capitulate but some of the bowling returns were unflattering. If you need the grim details, consult Play-cricket but drink a strong coffee and hang on to a solid object before you do. H. Malik bowled well for his 7-0-24-1 and the returning Kota was a rock in the field.
The Gents lost big wickets too quickly to mount an effective charge on the total. A. Ahmed was composed but others were ill-attended by luck, Kota and Z. Ahmed playing on. When Dubey fell first ball to a top-edge looped to the ’keeper, it looked all up at 70-6. Joshi and S. Patel were now together. Mixing brutal drives with sensible pushes to cover and mid-wicket they saw out the 35 overs, Patel going to his first 50 since 2019. Joshi was a revelation, leaving his previous best of 28* behind on his way to a splendid 60*.
That’s 921 runs in two games here in 2026 for the loss of only 21 wickets, two of which were retired out. That’s two tough days for the bowlers.
Largest stands in Gents games
239* (1st.) Bulmer (140*)/Maddock (87*) of London Owls (1993)
215 (3rd.) Heyman (132)/Jones (89) of Village XI (2006)
212* (6th.) Small (131*)/Kumar (74*) v. St Anne’s Allstars (2015)
199 (4th.) Webster (134)/Puntan (72*) of Putney (2026)
186 (2nd.) Elmes (165*) /Murray (56) of Northfields (2015)
26.4.26
Dundonald RG
Merton Boars won toss
Sunny, 19C
Merton Boars 233-5 (40) (Prebble 100, Gun 51, Counihan 42*)
Gents 234-6 (38.2) (A. Ahmed 56, Dubey 41 ret. hurt, Chaudhry 36, S. Patel 33*)
Won by 4 wickets
After a brilliant run chase delivered by a perfectly-configured and thankfully deep batting line up, the Gents are up and running with their first win over this very fair and sociable oppo. Steady and latterly spectacular batting won the day after Boars had posted 233-5 on a track that did not misbehave once, testament to the groundworks completed over the winter on the Merton wickets. New members Zohaib Chaudhri and Hashim Malik debuted.
Our old friend Mickey Mouse made a welcome return when the hosts failed to bring stumps. Merton’s ground is only half a mile away so they kindly did the needful. The last time this happened was in June 2015 against St Anne’s Allstars at Boston Manor PF when Gents had to borrow stumps from nearby Northfields. In the circumstances, it was impressive that the start was only delayed by ten minutes though proceedings would not finish until 7.30pm. Both innings were scored on paper as the Gents’ tablet did not arrive on time, in keeping with the chaotic feel to the day.
After S. Patel and Dubey struck in quick succession Prebble and Gun put up 135 though how they did so is a mystery for the ages. They hit hard and ran well but five clear chances went begging, three to two of the best fielders in the club. Both batsmen retired out which let in Counihan for a merry blast. Veterans S. Patel and Dubey were the pick of the bowlers and H. Malik was thanks to the catching amnesty unfortunate to go wicketless with his left-arm Chinamen. From 85-2 at halfway drinks, Boars added 148-3 in the second 20. Never before had Gents successfully hunted down such a total.
But the pitch was true and the Gents were not downcast. Skipper led from the front and opened with the resolute A. Ahmed. He fell on 40 and Sinha, who looked good, on 79, brought up at five an over, 155 needed off 25 at 6.2. Drinks were taken at 101-2. Boars then enjoyed a productive period with the dismissals of A. Ahmed (56, his 11th 50), Chaudhri and Z. Ahmed, Gents 118-5 off 23.5, 116 needed off 16.5 at a tough 6.9.
The Dubey/Chaudhry partnership that followed turned the match. They added 80 off 9.5 overs and proved how difficult it can be to defend totals on this ground. It was highly entertaining, made more so when Boars' umpire called over immediately after signalling a wide. Dubey hit four fours in his 41 and his left-handed partner five in his 36. The calling and running were first rate. Dubey took a full toss on the toe and retired hurt at 191-5, Chaudhry being castled seven runs later. Mortal blows? No, sir. S. Patel, 33 off 21 with five fours, and young S. Ahmed batted with skill and resolution to gain the win, encouraged by huge cheers from beyond the boundary.
After the match, Merton invited Gents for home and away in 2027, a coup for the club who have never played at the famous John Innes RG.
Several records were set. Prebble and Gun put up opponents’ first hundred stand on this ground. Prebble’s ton was only the second by opponents after Ilangakoon of Salix. More spectacularly:
Highest scores successfully chased by the Gents
Gents 234-6 beat Merton Hawks 233-5 by 4 wickets (2026)
Gents 235-9 beat 12 Angry Men 231-3 by 1 wicket (2000)
Gents 223-8 beat Gladiators 221 (2024)
Gents 220-3 beat Teddington Town 216-3 by 7 wickets (2022)
Gents 219-5 beat Wycombe House 216-7 by 5 wickets (2022)
23.4.26
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall
Confucius (Shandong IIIs captain)
The Gents cancelled three games in 2024 due to lack of numbers. It is not pleasant having to tell opponents when this happens. A number of regulars have left so we have added to the squad. Vice-captain Aamir Ahmed has been busy and we are delighted to welcome as full members:
Zahid Ahmed: RH bat, RA M and well known to us
Sufyan Ahmed: LH bat, RA LB and Zahid's fine son
Zohaib Chaudhri: LH bat, WK
Hashim Malik: RH bat, SLA
Arslan Chaudhry: LH bat, RA M
23.4.26
Opposition have been confirmed for 24 May, 31 May and 23 August. Actonians will return on the first date. Last year worked well when they visited, and in a happy co-incidence the tennis section had put on a BBQ which they shared with the cricketers. Anyone there that day wlll remember the thunder and lightning but thanks to super work by the ground authority Ahmed & Co. the match was completed.
On 31 May, Gents will visit Yarl in Harrow and on 23 August will host them.
19.4.26
Byfleet
Toss agreed
Sunny, 15C
Byfleet 143 (33.1) (Harrison 63*, Tharaka 21, Kulasingam 4-12)
Gents 118 (32.3) (A. Hussain 46, R. Patel 21, Tharaka 3-10)
Lost by 25 runs
When commentating with a batting side doing well, the wonderful curmudgeon Geoffrey Boycott often used to say add two wickets and then see how the score looked. At 92-2 chasing 143, Gents were looking good but the run out of Anjam Hussain heralded an hour of turmoil. Eight wickets fell for 26 in 10.1 overs, a quadruple Boycott if you like and victory was Byfleet’s, their first in this series after four Gents’ wins batting second going back to 2019. Earlier, the record 76 added for the tenth wicket by Harrison and Hackney took the hosts from 64-9 to 143 and was the match-winner. The game was played in a good spirit.
The visitors had 12. One, Harrison, would only bat and would be replaced by Bandy, who was arriving late on an aeroplane which was modern of him. So it was decided that they would have first use of what looked like a flat, true wicket. At 64-9 they might have had regrets. The Gents’ attack, every one of them, was on point. A fine throw from Sinha into ’keeper R. Patel saw Hocking run out and thereafter wickets tumbled, Byfleet going from 41-3 to 64-9. Kulasingam took 4-12, Chaudhry with 7-2-19-0 was tricky and an early finish was looming.
Enter Elizabeth Hackney and John Harrison. Theirs was a superb stand. Harrison, with 63 off 52 with 12 fours and a six, struck out with Hackney, 14 off 45, a resolute partner. The Gents used seven bowlers as runs flowed, mainly to the short pavilion boundary. Sinha caught Hackney off S. Patel to end the dig. The Cricket Act of 1876 states that record partnerships should be set as part of a winning innings. This stand deletes from the annals one that was set in defeat by Crossbats leaving only Mpingwe’s seventh-wicket stand with such a status.
The total held no fears for the top order as runs came not easily but at the necessary rate. When A. Hussain (46 off 62 with a six and six fours) and R. Patel (21 off 63 with two fours) were adding 57 off 13.5 overs Gents were looking sound. Alas, Hussain was run out when called for a tight single and despite the skipper’s resolute knock nobody could stay with him.
A disappointment, yes, but it had been an exciting game, very well hosted by Byfleet.
Neutral umpire Stuart West, who stood at both ends for the entire game, informed Hemin Patel that the application of saliva to the ball is illegal. His total of 465 wickets might therefore have to be reset to zero, a matter that now rests with the ECB and awaits their solemn judgement.
13.4.26
The match with Phoenix at Wycombe House on 12 July will start at 10.30am. The ground authority has booked a family party on the ground starting 4.30pm and the risk of encroachment onto the ground from itinerant partygoers of the younger variety is too great, so the game needs to finish by then.
11.4.26
Marble Hill Park
Gents won toss
Sunny, 13C
Crossbats 283-8 (40) (Winch 100, Deoras 56, Masini 31, Suri 23, Carter 20, H. Patel 3-40)
Gents 102 (30.4) (R. Patel 26, A. Ahmed 24, Shirley 3-17)
Lost by 181 runs
A remarkable afternoon's cricket saw Crossbats inflict the Gents’ highest defeat by runs, consigning Village’s 168-run larruping in 2010 to history. Only a creditable late fightback stopped the hosts from beating the record opponents’ score of 303-8 by Fighting Stars in 2023.
It was a challenging day for the Gents played out in weather that indecisively oscillated between calmness and sunshine, gales and sharp showers. The photo of the two captains says much: Skinner delighted and Patel smiling through the emotional pain, though his eyes signify that he could do murder.
There was much change to the team in the days preceding the match so it is good to report that everyone was on time. The Gents have entered a transitional period and results are not important at this stage, the main aim being to bed down the new recruits and enjoy the cricket. Three debuted here: Arslan Chowdhury, Reuben Dony and Ashwin Sarda to whom thanks are due. Skipper R. Patel involved them fairly and they will be welcome back anytime.
Crossbats’ innings was based around 100 from Graeme Winch (14 fours and the first in this series) and 56 from Anir Deoras. Gents toiled with seam and spin and deserved their successes when they came, though they were not helped by the inevitable drops and misfields of an early season game in inclement conditions. Crossbats, two games in, were far slicker and missed little.
When the hosts were 141-2 at drinks, the excellent Winch having been well caught at slip off the final ball of the session off Sarda’s spin, several distant scenarios began to be envisaged involving an instant collapse followed by a Gents’ surge to victory. Instead the innings progressed much as before, 142-6 coming up in the second half. Some good dismissals were taken of which S. Patel’s caught and bowled of captain Skinner was the best. H. Patel proved yet again he can get good batsmen out with his 3-40.
The Gents started well with the bat, the Patels driving well and Ahmed in control. But their dismissals heralded a dismal decline in deteriorating weather from 48-2 to 51-6 and there was no way back from that. The tail showed resolve to bring up the ton but the target had long since been out of reach. It was a delight to see everybody again though and roll on the next game.
The series now stands at 5-4 to the Gents, though Crossbats have won four of the last five.
Highest defeats by runs
181 Crossbats 283-5, Gents 102 (2026)
168 Village 252-5, Gents 84 (2010)
161 Stanmore Warriors 281-7, Gents 120 (2017)
159 Exiles 221-6, Gents 62 (2001)
144 West XI 263-6, Gents 119 (1992)
Highest scores by opponents
Gents 317-5, Fighting Stars 303-8 (2023)
12 Angry Men 284-3, Gents 120 (2001)
Crossbats 283-5, Gents 102 (2026)
Stanmore Warriors 281-7, Gents 120 (2017)
Gents 268-7, Millfields 272-8 (2023)
3.2.26
Happy 2026 to you all from the new committee. It has been a busy time arranging fixtures: 21 so far.
Highlights include our first game on Putney's main square, the return of Hook and Southborough, a new opponent in Empire CC, and a double-header with John Buckner XI.
A late end is planned with the final match not until 20 September.
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