CICC kicked off the 2025 season at the inaugural Barn Elms T20 tournament, organised by our friends at Plastics CC. Names out of the hat, CICC were drawn against Common’s Old Boys in a ‘semi-final’ tie and put in to field first.
Jaymin Pandya and debutant Sam Burton got us off to a tidy start, with the former opening up with two maidens. Jaymin eventually made a breakthrough, forcing a mistake from the opening batsman who spooned a catch up to mid-on. A clean bowled from Naitik Rathod soon after gave CICC some hope following a promising start. Unfortunately, our parliamentary opposition soon took control, with batsmen 3 and 4 both making comfortable scores of 60+ and seeing out the allotted twenty overs to post a total of 144. A very respectable effort in the field nonetheless from the ten men of CICC.
And so it was CICC’s turn to bat.
Two swings of Naitik’s brand-new gauge-filler resulted in twelve off the first two balls! This was followed by some worried murmurs from the opposition fielders that perhaps 144 was not enough…Sadly, the fun was short-lived, as Naitik fell on ball number three, bringing an abrupt end to one of the more entertaining innings we’re likely to see this season.
His opening partner Finn McCullagh was dismissed shortly after in questionable spirit by the opening bowler who treated Finn, on his debut, to what resembled a bit of a send off. On the topic of resemblance, it was noted by the Fines Masters that said bowler would likely pip Finn in a Kevin De Bruyne lookalike competition.
As the CICC innings unfolded, it turned out to be one of those rather unfortunate affairs in which the opposition made batting on that wicket appear considerably easier than we experienced. Rather like Ben Stokes’ England side, CICC were drawn into taking on the short stuff, with three of our middle order falling to mistimed hooks and pulls.
James Tooze, back after several seasons away, got off the mark with a two (!!) and was one of the few CICC batsmen to consistently find the middle, scoring a defiant 21 not out. Sadly, this was not enough, with CICC bowled out for 79.
A quick turnaround saw CICC bat first against new opposition, The Flying Ducksmen. Opening for CICC was debutant Finn McCullagh, who piled on the runs in a confident batting display alongside Naitik Rathod. Despite the cold early-spring breeze, this pair gave the opposition plenty of opportunity to keep warm as they crashed ball after ball to the boundary*.
Naitik was unfortunate not to reach his half-century, eventually falling for a quick-fire 47. In the midst of Finn’s flurry of fours (and a few sixes), Leon Crowley (me, the author!) accompanied him at the crease. After a patient start, Leon eventually found the middle, aided by some rather loose deliveries, and managed to keep up with Finn’s scoring rate somewhat. Finn was soon raising his bat in celebration of a well-deserved 50 on debut. His offer of retirement was refused by captain Goodman, with cries of “Go on, double it!” from the sideline. Well, Finn was unable to add to his score and was bowled several deliveries later, missing out on a coveted star next to his tally. Leon eventually spooned one back to the bowler in the later overs, departing for 40. CICC’s total was a strong 167, with Sam Dooley and Jon Stern both seeing out the innings and finishing on 9* each.
CICC’s 2024 Player of the Season, Sam Dooley, was also the pick of the bowlers in spite of a partially rehabilitated shoulder following a winter dislocation. Dooley showed no discomfort as he decided to destroy both bail and stump in the second of his back-to-back wickets. A hat-trick opportunity? A chance to join CICC’s exclusive bowling group alongside the esteemed Josh Shinner? That will have to wait for another day, as Sam was left cursing at himself — especially given that the incoming batsman was on for a golden pair that day. Dooley finished the day with three wickets, all clean bowled — a top display!
It should be noted that The Flying Ducksmen were no pushovers with the bat. Opener Robin Macrell scored a very fluent 63, eventually dismissed by Jon Stern after a cracking catch from Sam Burton, diving forward to one that looked to be falling short. CICC’s 167 prevailed as the Flying Ducksmen fell 12 runs short. A great game despite the cold. That’s that. Common’s Old Boys were eventual tournament winners with some quality cricketers in their lineup. No shame in losing to them. Onto Bordeaux…….
*Note: Almost exclusively the leg-side boundary. CICC’s innings did not see an off-side boundary until the 13th over.
About the author: Content Crowley, aka Leon ‘Marseille’ ‘Perpignan’ ‘Toulouse’ Crowley is CICC’s Head of Comms, Marketing and PR. On the field he can do it all, he bats with elegance and flair, can swing it on a cloudless day, and he’s a safe pair of hands in the field.
