The first full week in August is, as ever at Twickenham CC, Cricket Week. Five days, five games and lots of opportunities to indulge in cricketing action on the Green.

Redditch CC get the ball rolling
As has now become tradition, Redditch CC get things rolling. The Worcestershire club are in town to play an all-day game on Monday. 11am kick off, with curry lunch pencilled in for 1pm

Following a reorganisation of West Midlands' cricket in the winter, Redditch were forced to return to the Worcestershire League for the 2019 season. A tough looking set of opponents did little to put them off; they currently sit second in the log (see here) with leaders Stourbridge firmly in their sights.

Tour stalwart Matt Mansfield won’t be leading the Kingfishers down to Middlesex this year, although the quiet and retiring Tom Phelan is a more than able replacement. Rumours are that Redditch will be travelling in force with a 20 plus strong touring party. Further rumours that selection was based on beer-pong ability have not been denied…

That having been said, Phelan cut to the chase early when asked about the ‘Ditch’s ambitions for Monday. “To be honest, after not seeing victory on the Green for so long we are coming mob handed this year”. Combative stuff from the mercurial all-rounder!

Australians to the fore!
“It being an Ashes summer, our line up includes a couple of Aussies. Both play for the University of Tasmania. Our OP, Chris Brown, is also on side, as is a mate of his, Jimmy Hortle. Any Australian beer available in the pavilion might subsequently get quite a hammering”.

Home grown talent will also be on show. Former Redditch spinner, and current Leamington starlet, Perry Derrick, is making the trip, whilst stylish batter and son of Redditch legend Nev Mason, Oly Mason, is also in the touring party. “That’s a decent core, but, as is our way, things will go rapidly downhill from there.” 3rd XI skipper Tom Prescott is a welcome tour debutant whilst Steve Du Cros, James Beven, Kev Lokanath and 2XI skipper Liam Phelan are very welcome repeat tour offenders.

Crucially, there is significant strength in depth on the beer-pong front. Phelan knows where the real honours on this trip are to be won; “Tom Hemming, Luke Davis, Adam Gailey, Russ Southwick and Warren Bisp are all seasoned performers there and they know the responsibility that goes with that. I expect them to stand up and be counted”. As Phelan concluded; “I’m sending the lads out with a clear message. We expect nothing less than a win and those are the guys that will deliver”.

Ts look to rise to the challenge
The Ts will be led in to battle by the indomitable Eugene Berger. He’s selected a fine body of men to meet the Redditch challenge.

As is tradition, all five Saturday sides will be represented in the starting XI. That means that 5th XI skipper Chris Wylde will once again be let loose on the Green with that ridiculous jazzhat of his.

Berger will be hoping that Phil Nash will be able to build on his strong season for the ones this season so far, whilst Sanjit Sandhu is a man with runs and wickets in the locker. The mercurial Clint McCabe will also be making a welcome return to TCC colours.

Sam Cliffe and Connor Finney will be bolstering the middle order, whilst regular Cricket Week performers the Wounded Giraffe (Andy Donelan) and Harmeet Singh will also be there in strength. It’s also great to see The Big Tackle (Stuart Amos) in the side; it’ll be interesting to see how Redditch deal with his shit, shitter and shittiest deliveries. Many a name has come a cropper to one of those.

All in all, it promises to be a fantastic day. Do pop down and get in to the Cricket Week spirit if you can.