What a wonderful and sunny day it was in lovely Larkspur for the 2016 Clash for the Ashes!  More than 200 Brits, Aussies and Anglophiles gathered in the pristine Piper Park to watch the veritable feast of cricketing drama between Bay Area Aussies and Englishmen. The game was an intense competition with its usual excruciatingly close finish where England were victorious in winning back the trophy. As usual, the match was played with as much ardor and passion as the ‘real’ Ashes series between the test teams.  Thanks to the Marin Cricket Club and all the players for an excellent day.

On behalf of the British American Business Council and the Australian American Chamber of Commerce, we thank everyone for coming along to make this a most fun, festive, relaxing and enjoyable day .  Thanks also to Andrew Whittaker, H. M. Consul General to San Francisco and Australia’s Consul General Chris Oldfield for joining us and being part of our special day – each bowling to one another after lunch to add a nice twist to the day.

And of course, huge thanks to all of our donors and volunteers who helped make the day very special for all involved.

• Fairmont San Francisco
• Giants Enterprises
• 2020 Productions
• Crown & Crumpet
• Dunkirk Spirit Gin
• Pussers Rum
• Pimms
• James Boag
• Barossa Winery

Particular thanks to Andy Mackay (2020 Productions) and Stuart Keirle (FNB Norcal) for picking up and dropping of equipment and to Olivia, Jackie, Dawn and friends for manning the desk and to our two new interns Beth Taggart and Finn Western who rather expertly manned the bar!

See below for post match report – thanks to Nick Lynam.

Click here to see the photos on our Flickr Page:

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT DONORS:

Post Match Report by Nick Lynam, Chairman, Marin Cricket Club

It was a damp morning. Heavy fog cover meant the toss would be crucial for the 10:30am start. You could feel the tension in the air as both teams prepared to defend the Ashes. It’s a game that’s circled on the calendar months in advance.

Skippers Stuart Read (England) and Paul Armbruster (Australia) walked out to the middle. The coin went up, spiraled over and over 3, 4 times…them thump, down it came…tails…Skipper Read immediately asked the Aussie to bat. “We’ve got several wobblers on the team” he said shortly after.

So once umpires Everton Matambanadzo & Bhagya Bakshi were ready, and match commentator Michael Banks had the mic in his hand, off we went. The crowd was small at the start, but it built gradually through the morning session. England were quickly amongst them, Jim (Pit Viper) Pitman getting a jaffer from Dave Rawlins in the second over. Gone caught behind by Ed James. Out came skipper Armbruster, and he and the pint size Australian wicket keeper Krish DeSilva started moving the run rate. Armbruster was taken shortly after, and out came John Leake, a batsmen the English knew well after his hundred the previous year. Apparently no one had told Krish that it was a 40 over game, and he was quickly hauling the ball to all corners saying “its 20 overs right?’…before you knew it, his 50 was up. A strong knock that had the English staring a total of 300 down the barrel. There was an uneasy feeling in the English camp.

At the 20 over break with the Aussies at 130 odd-3 England were looking for some inspiration. In a moment of some genius Skipper Read brought the “didjeridu-packing” Stephen Kent into the attack. The impact was instant. He bamboozled Leake into hitting a full toss with the back of his bat, an easy catch to Alex Copper behind square. You could feel something “leak”ing out of the Australians.

After that, and the quick exit of another England thorn, David Bower, things definitely shifted. Australia ended their 40 overs at 227- 9. Pick of the English Bowlers was Alex (“AC”, “Shaniqua”, “Coops”) Cooper, 3 wickets, and Stephen Kent for one very big wicket.

So then lunch, and as always Dawn Lillington and the chamber did us proud. Snags and Lamingtons were all over everyone’s face. Jo Healey and the British chamber also represented very well, with Pimms cups flowing and strawberries and cream on tap!. A quick interlude saw both CG’s quickly strap it on and get out to the middle. Both put on a good audition for selection next year! Chris Oldfield (Australian CG) quickly noted” well I don’t have my cricket shoes on”, and Andrew Whittaker noted” I need my batting gloves really”…

And as the Aussies were taking to the field we were treated to a delightful three minute cameo of didjeridu playing by Stephen Kent which drew an appreciative crowd of especially fascinated kids.

Openers
AC and Matt “new knees” Biant took the crease. They got off to a brisk start, with Matt showing off his trademark pull shots before being trapped leg before on about 20. Ac was feeling good, and while trying to give a little catching practice he was still at the crease. “You’ve got to know who to hit it too” he said after. Peter Sellick came to the middle, and immediately began working himself in. Steady blocking, and a few tapped singles kept the total moving. At the break things were delicately poised. England on around 105-2. Sellick and AC continued after the break, and although skipper Armbruster tried all the weapons he had, English batting was resolute. AC went for 58. A very strong knock. Out came Torben Rankine, a syrupy good bat who always looks to impress. He and Peter started to really take it to the Aussies with some beautiful stroke play with Sellick blasting a couple of big 6’s over the food tent, and Torben straight driving some crisp 4s, and before you knew it England were a handful of overs and even less runs away. With the winning run England came across the line 228-4. Torben clicked his 50 as the winning run was taken, and Peter Sellick who had been caught behind just before finished with team best 78. Solid batting top to bottom.

The result England wanted, but as Mr. Oldfield said” Cricket was the winner!”.. A great day, and special mention again to both Jo Healey from the BABC and Dawn Lillington from the AACC for a great day out!

The Clash continues…!

Marin Cricket Club is based at Piper Park, Larkspur, CA. We run 1st & 2nd XI league teams and a social XI. We welcome all cricket players. 

www.marincricketclub.com