I
t was always going to be hard to
improve on last year's
accomplishments. However, the squad
somehow achieved this in fine style,
and played some seriously good cricket
over the term. The season started on
our tour of South Africa which resulted in a
handful of defeats, a brilliant victory and a
draw. However, like any good team, they learnt
from their mistakes and built on their
experiences to mould themselves into a brilliant
unit. By the start of the season everything was
in place to win all of our games, apart from the
devastating loss to Millfield by one run!
The squad was very ably led by Alex Barrow.
He captained the side very well and always led
by example. A superb ring fielder, useful
bowler and technically brilliant batsman, he
always gave 100% in training and matches,
and averaged well over 100 with the bat. He
was rightfully awarded a professional contract
with Somerset.
Craig Meschede is a devastating cricketer on
his day with both bat and ball. Especially
strong hitting over the top, he scored two
brilliant double hundreds. He bowled some
quick spells and took plenty of wickets, and
was also awarded a professional contract with
Somerset.
Miles Lenygon is an excellent all-round cricketer
who has the potential to progress to greater
things if he continues to work at his game.
Always the most competitive player on the field,
he was a real character in the changing room.
He scored two brilliant hundreds at King's and
has been a real asset to King's cricket. Alex
Brown is a very destructive batsman who is also
an outstanding fielder. His highlights of the
season were his maiden school hundred and a
composed 70 against Queen's.
Todd Barrett scored a delightful maiden hundred
against touring team St John's, Johannesburg,
and made some useful contributions with the
ball. He is always competitive and will be a
crucial member of the side next year.
Rhys Davies came on in leaps and bounds as a
keeper, and made some useful contributions
with the bat. He will be a key part of the top
order next year.
Bertie Broughton is a very talented batsman
who bowled some match-winning spells and
scored a brilliant 60 against Taunton School
late on in the innings.
Ross Kieswetter is a promising player with
plenty to offer - a busy and dynamic batsman
who is always looking for run-scoring
opportunities. He bowls useful off-spin and
will be an integral part of the team next year.
Will Hardwick returned from injury this year
and made his most useful contributions with
the bat. He began bowling his delightful leftarm
in-swingers again to great effect and was a
very consistent fielder. Charlie Morris spent
most of the season on the sidelines through
injury, but showed a huge amount of passion
and pride when he played. I have never met a
cricketer who wants to work as hard at his
game as he does and I wish him well on his
recovery from back surgery.
Taylor Buller has a lovely action for an opening
bowler and will progress with confidence and
maturity. He will be the leading figure in the
bowling attack next year and will undoubtedly
give 100% as he always does. Nathan Smith
bowled beautifully on occasions, and always
got the team off to a good start with early
wickets. A huge asset to the King's bowling
attack, he was crucial to the success of the
2009 Wisden School Team of the Year.
It truly has been yet another memorable season.
A quick word of thanks must go to all those
players who also contributed to the 1st XI
season, and of course to Dennis for the
wonderful pitches he prepares and the coaching
work he does throughout the age groups.aluredian
87
Cricket
1st XI
by
Phil Lewis