Finally cricket is back! Despite early morning rain the 2020 season began on 19 July 2020 for the Exiles with a 6 wicket defeat at Streatham & Marlborough.

On being put into bat, an early onslaught from Shahid Iqbal (39), a typically steady 65 from Keith Roberts, and contributions from debutant Carl Thomas – in his first cricket match since 1981 – with 38 and Simon Gundry with 35 not out steered the Exiles to 220 for 7 – which felt competitive.

However it wasn’t. After an early strike from Naren, the Streatham second wicket put on 185 in not much more than 20 overs with some fine ball striking against rusty Exiles bowling. 3 late wickets from the Roberts boys showed the Exiles what might have been had the partnership been broken earlier, but the damage had been done – Streatham home with over 10 overs to spare.

Fixtures are being hastily rearranged but at time of writing next fixture looks to be Agricola at Chiswick in a fortnight.

The Exiles 2019 AGM will be held this Sunday, 17th November in the Sultan Pub in South Wimbledon, at 7.30pm.

Full address is 78 Norman Road, London, SW19 1BT.

All are welcome!

Exiles finished the 2019 season with 6 wins, 8 defeats and 8 draws, abandonments & cancellations.

Trophy winners are confirmed as follows:

Bhau Patel Batting Trophy: Bernard Leuvennink – 294 runs at 29.40; (Bernard wins this trophy for the 2nd time in 3 years)

Bowling Trophy: Naren Patel – 9 wickets @ 19.22; (Naren’s first time winning this trophy since 2003!)

Fielding Trophy: Jibran Ahmed – 3 catches & 1 run-out;

Man-of-the-match trophy – Bernard Leuvennink & Phil Ling – 2 matches;

Captains Prize – tbc;

Details of the AGM to be announced soon…

Exiles returned to form but were edged out by just 2 wickets in an excellent battle at OMT.

Exiles batted first on a glorious afternoon and 41 from guest Abhijai Singh set the Exiles well on their way at 88 for 2. But a quick flourish of wickets saw Exiles slump to 99 for 6, before a restorative partnership of 68 between Leuvennink with a brisk 49 and Wingfield in support saw the Exiles reach a score of 169/8 off 35 – which was nearly par.

The bowling reply got of to a blistering start as OMTs young guns were all dismissed quickly and OMT were 21 for 5, thanks to 3 wickets for Faisal Musakhel.  When Wingfield then removed the dangerous Boardley with his first delivery OMT were 56 for 6.

However OMT bat deep and a superb unbeaten 70 from skipper Alay Vora saw his side home, well supported by no 8 Sam Hewett (41), despite 2 late wickets from Jibran (3 for 38).

Agricola at Nursery Road next week.