In the pub afterwards
@holland_tom
talks us through his fourth consecutive innings of 0 at
@WandSCC
. The beer is called Golden Duck, incidentally.
Authors win solstice match vs
@AveburyCC
by 71 runs. Great performances from many but
@RathbonesGroup
moment goes to
@holland_tom
for his four wickets, as he takes rare break from podcasting to join us.
He may have registered his fifth consecutive duck at
@WandSCC
but
@holland_tom
is showing great bouncebackability. Talking airily that he should bat 8 from now on.
'A group of Englishmen in varying states of fitness lost a game of cricket today'. This was how the Mumbai Mirror announced the Authors' first tour abroad, ten years ago.
Sri Lanka one of the great cricketing experiences. Here
@holland_tom
returns to the pavilion after one of his signature innings there. Just look at that elite body language.
A genuine thrill to see Pathum Nissanka make his Test debut for Sri Lanka vs WI. 7 years ago we were told of this brilliant young player, son of a flower seller, in need of kit. (I don’t know if we were his first sponsor.) He made a fine fifty against us that tour.
Pleased to read of low risk of virus transmission from sports equipment. Traditionalists will be delighted to learn that a red cricket ball is slightly safer than a white one.
It is absurd that no cricket can be played this midsummer weekend. It’s hard to think of a team sport that is more socially-distanced - for players and spectators alike at most clubs. And children are being deprived of fitness & a summer of outdoor sport they will never get back.
Over last 8 seasons Authors have played cricket vs teams of priests, publishers, soldiers, lawyers, bankers, tea planters & prison guards. Our chief rivalry is with Actors, whom we face tomorrow. They’re younger & actually look like their profile pictures. Can we somehow prevail?
It is traditional to announce a benefit year at the start of the year & we will adhere to other traditions. A committee has been formed for
@holland_tom
's benefit, there will be a website & merchandise, including these delightful creggings.
The 2021 cricket season is Authors' 10th since our revival. And so we're excited to be awarding
@holland_tom
a benefit year, in which we'll be raising money for 2 very deserving charities:
@PassageCharity
&
@18_keys
which both do excellent work helping the homeless.
On 19 Sept 1895, the Authors played their first match, against the Press Club, at
@HomeOfCricket
. 125 years on we are at
@CorfuArts
about to play strong Corfiot XI. And tomorrow we play in Corfu Town, on this amazing pitch, seen from Old Fort.
'England looked shot at Edgbaston because they are shot. Who the hell can blame them, and who is going to do something about it?' Must-read blog by
@theoldbatsman
.
There is a lovely tribute to Hilary Mantel in
@thebookseller
by her agent Bill Hamilton. He mentions her great love of cricket & that the Authors were lucky enough to have her as our club president for 7 years. She will be much missed.
A fabulous day’s cricket as we draw against
@AveburyCC
in thrilling finale. 17 needed off last over, 7 off last ball.
@WilliamGeorgeQ
hits it for six to bring scores level.
The Authors register their first win on Greek soil -
@theoldbatsman
&
@anthony_mcgowan
celebrate. The skipper meanwhile, having fielded as sub for opposition, maintains a perfect record of being on losing side all 7 games in Corfu.
Such a great day of cricket.
@wormsleycricket
as beautiful a ground as any & always an amazing game Vs
@LordsTaverners
. This year they won by 24 runs. Highlights included FIVE authors injuring themselves & 50 for
@BeardRichard
.
'I spent 20 years captaining amateur cricket teams ... a labour of love which my wife often likened to Care In The Community'.
@norcrosscricket
tells it like it is.
I'm so delighted to learn that
@LordsTaverners
have decided to select 9 former first-class cricketers in their squad to face us on 9 September at
@wormsleycricket
. We will obviously sledge the other two mercilessly.
Future generations may wonder why
@holland_tom
didn't play at a higher level, given how much was written about him as a cricketer. Lovely piece by
@patrick_kidd
Liz Truss is willing to do unpopular things. What would your best unpopular policy be? Mine: build loads and loads of social housing and genuinely affordable housing on the green belt.
Last game of 2021 today, against
@theivycc
. Somehow we will have managed to play 24 fixtures in this strange truncated season. Thanks to all those who made this possible.
Authors win at Avebury for first time ever. Terrific game, brilliantly put on by
@AveburyCC
. Our opening bowlers celebrate shared haul of 7 wickets.
The team sheet for tomorrow's big Authors Actors clash is here. Batting order may change, once
@holland_tom
starts arguing that his season's average of 0.33 with the bat really doesn't reflect his ability.
Today's cricketing highlight &
@Rathbones1742
moment of match was
@Tweetisaurus
's Authors debut at
@FACCC_Cricket
. We are honoured that world's leading expert on stegosaurs took what we hope is the first of many wickets for us.
Feeling very privileged to be playing at Arundel today for
@AuthorsCC
vs. Afgan boys from the Refugee Cricket Project: . Find me a more beautiful ground in England, I dare you
On 23 April - St George's Day - I will be walking 40 miles from one side of London to the other in aid of 3 homelessness charities:
@PassageCharity
,
@18_keys
&
@AMARLondon
.
Just one episode in what is undoubtedly the biggest sports story of the year: my
@AuthorsCC
benefit.
A huge weekend of elite sport begins tomorrow with the Authors' end of season dinner. Will
@holland_tom
win every single prize? The batting one will probably elude him, given he averaged 1.33. But he's up for 2 bowling awards & the much-coveted
@Rathbones1742
moment of year.
Very happy to announce that
@Rathbones1742
will continue to sponsor Authors in 2022. With their support, we have raised over £62k this year for homeless charities, as part of
@holland_tom
's benefit year. More about that here:
Brilliant win yesterday, in the wine-filled wall garden at Erlestoke. Authors chased down 310 in 44 overs, with 97 from
@theoldbatsman
, and key knocks from Art Beard,
@peterfrankopan
and Tom Eadon.
@RathbonesGroup
moment to returning
@holland_tom
who BLASTED out their main man.
Thanks to
@BodleianCC
for a terrific game of cricket today. Opening batters on both sides made it look easy but it wasn't. Great debut for
@MirandaMalins
& real leadership from Mr Authors/Captain/Leader/Legend
@holland_tom
took us to victory.
The rain looked like getting in the way but a great, fairly close game in the end against
@AuthorsCC
at lovely Great Tew. Dave Busby bowling like a dream...
First cricket net of year coming up, in which half the balls will bounce 3 times before reaching batsman, sail over his head or hit the side netting. Several of us are already injured.
Authors win by 5 wickets against
@FaireIsTheXI
in tense game. Crucial partnership of 145 between
@BeardRichard
& Tom Eadon but
@Rathbones1742
moment of match goes to
@ahmpreston
for superb one-handed catch to remove their skipper.
Happy publication day to our opening bowler
@TroubledStriker
, who once dismissed Andrew Caddick but has not gone on about it. Unlike some.
@holland_tom
It’s the BIG MAN’S publication day today! 🎉
Congrats
@TroubledStriker
on a brilliant book about YOUR village! We’ll raise a glass or two later in The Paper Lantern to celebrate 🍻😘
Authors win by 48 runs against
@ucsoldboyscc
. Wickets shared around. Great debut for
@mark77knowles
who wins
@Rathbones1742
moment of match for bowling their skipper when looking dangerous.