Banbury - County Game 4

Monday 6 August we set off in the coach to Banbury.

The players and WAGs gathered in front of the hotel as the coach was packed with cricket bags.

The day's match was at the Banbury Twenty Cricket Club where Australia was to play the Chairman's Eleven.

In 1932 twenty men had founded the cricket Club hence the name Banbury Twenty.

For this game the scorers watched the game from the scorers' shed.

The players checked the pitch before the game.

One of the players took the opportunity to dry his washing.

The Australian team for this game posed for a pre-match photograph.

Australian captain, Ian Petherick, lost the toss and the Chairman’s Eleven chose to bat on a flat wicket and quick ground. Although the Australian bowlers bowled tightly it was difficult yo break the opening partnership. Eventually, Robin Court broke through and Alan Reid took a wicket, and an Ian Petherick throw to Wavell McPherson effected a run out. The Chairman's Eleven made 3 for 222 off its allocated 45 overs.

Australia's innings ended at the end of the 42nd over when they were all out for 221, one run short of the Chairman's Eleven total. John Stackpoole (43) and Wavell McPherson (26) opened the batting while Ian Petherick (41) and Alan Reid (24) continued the good work in the top order. A middle-order collapse was followed by a bright 43 from Tim Spear.

We had special visitors at the game when James, Melissa, Zoe and Eliza came to watch Robin play cricket.

The girls entertained the spectators and players from both teams at the game.

Ron and Eliza doing high fives.

When they tired of watching cricket the girls entertained themselves with their colouring and sticker books.

Although the Australian team narrowly lost the match it was a good, tight game - good preparation for the first ODI  against England which was the next match.

Banbury - First ODI against England

Wednesday 8 August and we were off to Banbury in Oxfordshire for the first ODI against England.

Before the game the players needed to get ready for the team photos and national anthems. There was some discussion as to whether shirt collars should be out over blazer collars.

As six of the Australian players were playing their first ODI match, caps needed to be formally presented.

Phil Smith, Alan Reid, John Terrell, Stirling Hamman, Tom Wood and Ian Gibson received their baggy green caps from the Australian captain, Ian Petherick.

The England team posed for their team photograph.

 The Australian team photo including the scorer and manager.

It was then time for the singing of the two national anthems.

The Australian captain won the toss and decided to bat. At the end of the 50 overs the score was 7 for 205. John Stackpoole (35), Ian Petherick (14), Alan Reid (30), Stirling Hamman (43), Roger Edmunds (21),  Ian A Gibson (24 not out) and Tim Spear (20) were the main scorers.

This turned out being a very close game with England making 9 for 200 in their 50 overs. Ron Kasputis (3 for 14 off 8 ) and Tim Spear (1 for 37 off 10) opened the bowling. Tom Wood, Colin Cooke,  Phil Smith and Stirling Hamman each took one wicket and there was also a run out. A great win.

James, Melissa, Zoe and Eliza came to watch the game before returning to Australia. Zoe wanted to practise her bowling in the nets.

After the game the two teams enjoyed dinner in the clubrooms.

It had been a most successful day.

Burford

Our third stop when exploring the Cotswolds was Burford. There has been recorded settlement in the area of this town since Saxon times.

The streetscape consists of many old buildings reflecting the history of this market town.

Most of our exploration was confined to the main street of Burford.

Burford is on the River Windrush, a river that flows through many towns and villages in the Cotswolds including Bourton on the Water.

We then walked along a side street to St John the Baptist Church.

On the way we passed the Burford School which was founded in 1571.

The present church building dates back to 1175 though it was probably built on the site of an earlier church.

We then continued our walk along the main street back to the coach. By this time it was raining.

Burford is a town with much character, even in the rain.

Oxford

Oxford is a city that we were able to visit for a short time when the team was playing Oxfordshire. The car was parked in Magdalene Street, near Broad Street and Broad Street was the main area that we were able to explore.

Bicycles are a major means of transport in this university city.

There is a wide variety of architecture to be seen on Broad Street.

The Sheldonian Theatre is next to the Museum for History of Science. Commencement of the building the theatre began in 1664. It was designed by Christopher Wren.

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and is part of Oxford University. A number of buildings form this library including a building specifically for undergrads.

There are a number of university colleges in Broad Street, all with interesting architecture.

Wherever you look there are interesting archaeological features and skylines.

A stone set in the wall of Balliol College provides information about the three martyrs burned to death in the ditch outside the city walls in 1556.

The Martyrs' Memorial is located near the corner of Magdalene and Broad streets.