Cricket 2009 round up

York's talisman Tom Hudson

Star Player: Tom Hudson

There is no doubt that the chances of York in BUCS action this year (and maybe next) were dramatically influenced by the performance of Hudson. His strong bottom hand and favour for the leg side makes the tall Yorkshireman an unlikely opening bat, but his stoic mentality and discipline has made him the most consistent batsmen at York for the last three years. He scored half centuries in three of his four BUCS innings this year and his colleagues only passed 200 once without him. Notwithstanding all of this his leg spin is the best part of his game. Hudson’s natural height provides great bounce but his natural talent proffers unrivaled control and numerous variations of both delivery and bounce. Not as prolific in the wickets column as last year, but his economy was vital particularly in the Roses affair. With Hudson on a four year Chemistry course, he can help new skipper Martin to resurrect the team back to BUCS 2B

Biggest Flop: Nick Vanner

This year’s skipper was 2007 York’s sportsman of the year scoring centuries both single and double in his first year. Since then Vanner has not passed 50 for the first team and not through lack of batting ability but lack of restraint against inferior bowling. Others have performed statistically worse than the skipper, but given his talent and billing a top score of 45 is inadequate for a 1st team number 3.

Most Improved: Nick Townson

In his 4th and final year at York, Townson finally gave his admirers a slight justification for him playing 1st team cricket for his whole university career with two half centuries and one man of the match performance. For a man whose straight drive is on a technical par with Ponting or Vaughan, Townson has wildly underperformed in his university career, with his inability to mentally recover after bad shots costing him his wicket all too often. This season also saw Townson take up a bowling role, albeit rather mercurial, where he gained a reputation as a vital partnership breaker, dismissing St. John’s ‘Sri Lankan’ and the MCC’s destructive Mulholland. The cricket club was always going to miss Townson for his infamous and unforgettable performances on socials, but now they will miss his worth as a cricketer, an fitting epitaph that many of us were hoping for.

Ones to Watch

Johnny Barrat

Fresher Barratt had a promising season for both 2nds and 1sts this season with both bat and ball. Scoring a century in the opening game for the 2nds he was quickly promoted to the 1sts. After a difficult start he scored an assured 50 against St. John in the cup, displaying that he has the mental capacity as well as his natural batting flair particularly through the leg side. Initial skepticism about his desire to bowl off spin around wicket was pushed aside with a five wicket haul against Newcastle, but one still has to feel his sharp spin could be put to better use on the other side of the umpire.

James Oldham

Oldham was a slow starter in University cricket, having to take up the ranks in second team before his late initiation into the 1sts. Batting positions down the order did not allow this talented all rounder to show off his wide repertoire of strokes and promotion to the opening spot for the 1sts saw scores of 26 and 11. The fashion he scores runs is impressive, regular rotating the strike whilst very punishing of leg side bowling and with a longer run in the side he will score well next year. James’ bowling has been inconsistent but his height and seam movement provide great apparatus for good medium fast. His overs in the closing moments of the St John game were very assured, and expect this thinking cricketer to feature a lot next year.

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