All set for 'the follow on' Ashes encounter
by Alan Rowley, 13th July 2005

The Ashes series officially starts at Lord's on July 21st, but for 'the follow on' the big day is a week earlier at Kimberley Institute Cricket Club when our representative side take on the Australian tourists from Collaroy Plateau. This event, which has been over a year in planning, looks like being the highlight of 'the follow on' summer.

Captaining 'the follow on' XI will again be JimmyAdams, alias Kimberley's Richard Adams. Jimmy's record is not good having led the Outlawed XI to defeat in the Phil Tufnell game at Eastwood before leading 'the follow on' XI to another defeat at Langley Mill last September. With home advantage in his favour, a much better performance is expected from the medium pacer.

Also in the side are big hitters Adam Harchuk (Heanor Town) and Cutthorpe's John McCollum. Macca top scored in 'the follow on' XI's defeat at Langley Mill - no mean feat after half a dozen 'Owd Rodgers'. Not only is Harchuk a mean hitter of the ball, he is also amongst the leading wicket takers in the County League division 3 North with 20 wickets to his name.

Marehay colleagues Bambi (Dave Buckley) and upnunder (James Franco) are also in the side. All eyes will be on Buckley to set the scoreboard rolling following his fifty for Marehay 1sts against Chesterfield on Sunday.

Action from Collaroy Plateau's game at Clay Cross

Chris Plant makes the journey down for Bolsover to make his 'follow on' debut along with another debutant Langley Mill's Jamie Rowley (Jambrose), who despite being one of the most prolific posters on the site, has yet to turn his arm over in the rep side. Already with a 7-for to his credit for Langley Mill, Jambrose will be one to watch, though I doubt he will elect to bowl down the Kimberley hill.

Site regulars gazza (Gary Edginton) and Dennis Wright also turn out to add variety to the side, as does a_bowler (Wollaton's Andy Stovell). Making up the eleven is Selston Town's Liam Conway, also making his debut. Not one of the world's greatest batsmen, Conway is a promising young bowler.

The tourists, mid way through a gruelling England tour, will be playing the final leg of the East Midlands section of their tour, following games at Edwinstowe, Clay Cross and Baslow. Like their fellow countrymen in the senior squad, the Collaroy team have had mixed fortunes, but this is the one they have been waiting for.

The action gets under way at 1:30pm with a 40 over game. This will be followed by match presentations and the 'boat race', which will be quite a spectacle. Gates open at 12:00 noon and the bar will be open all day. The ground can be found on Newdigate Street, which is off Kimberley Main Street. There is parking on the ground and in nearby free car parks.

Bring the sun tan lotion - it's going to be a hot day!