Zambuca Tigers CC | Social Cricket Club based in Brighton, East Sussex

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Player Profiles

Andy Clarke / Captain, Right Hand Batter

Elegant middle order bat who strikes a lovely lofted cover drive, and useful variation bowler who actually topped the bowling averages last season much to Ali's surprise. Having served several years' apprenticeship under the tutorage of Big Dave K, Andy has now made the Captain's role his own with a diplomatic approach to both star and game management. The Tigers' spiritual leader is also a renowned match reporter and after dinner speaker.

Matt Willey / Medium Pace Bowler

Big inswing bowler reminiscent of Mike Proctor in his pomp.

Giles Dawkes / Medium Pace Swing Bowler

Slingy swipe, swing, and heavy metal from the west country. Enjoys getting naked on tour and has this amazing party trick with a conker.

Dev / Middle Order Bat and Offspinner

Dev is a fusion of Malcolm and Kapil and enjoys a pint after the game. He still maintains that he took a catch inside the boundary this season which was signalled 6 and as Ed. was the bowler he was quite right.

Harry Pyant / Batsman and Off Spinner

Harry is one of those Botham like figures who usually gets nought but just occasionally comes off in devastating fashion particularly as a pinch hitter in the T20s. But it was in the longer form of the game where Harry pinch hit 4 times 25 not out in a row to score his maiden ton. His tiger tail and a framed copy of the scorecard hang proudly in the bedroom so Mrs P can see it every morning.

Joe Brookshaw / Right Arm Fast Bowler

Joe bowls fast accurate straight balls that just shape away enough to take off stump or be snaffled by "Deadly" at first slip. Quite a handful for a right hander (and the Jamaican Inn left hand skipper too who Joe has a particular affinity for). With a keen fast bowler's focus and aggression reminiscent of Bob Willis in 1981, and tremendous stamina that often sees him open up with 18 over spells, he is a regular at the top of the Tiger bowling averages. On account of his long spells from the other end Joe has become a specialist fine leg fielder with a unique ability to be able to actually save singles and enact runouts from that position. Unfortunately Joe's fledgling cricket scoring app has been shelved (along with Barry's solar scoreboard) after an all run five off a no ball caused a malfunction. This was almost as funny as Tim's all run zero with a stationary Ali last season.

Toby Mariner / Right Arm Fast Bowler

Timely new signing Toby has stepped in as the Tiger's strike bowler while Joe waits for his plane to Australia. Keeps the crowds and fellow car passengers entertained on long car journeys with good natured bant, salty snacks and rollys.

Bill / Leg spinner and right hand bat

Bill is a football coach in the winter and nearly expired during an indoor game of cricket a couple of seasons ago un-used to the advanced fitness requirements of the Tiger game in comparison to soccer. But luckily he recovered to reclaim his place as one of the few Tiger "proper batsman" like. His leg spin is a thing of mystery and his balls usually result in a 6 to the opposition or a wicket to the Tigers! Considering he has a wooden leg it is amazing he can play both sports at such a high level.

Dave Green / Right Hand Bat

"Deadly Dave" is a specialist slip fielder and has pulled off a number of amazing catches since his 2016 debut, plus some impressive innings including a maiden 50 this season. His monologues on obscure prog rock and seminal post modernism literature are lost on our wicket keepers.

Oli Selwood / Right Hand Bowler

Oli is what you might describe as a leg slider bowler - pushing it through at surprising pace and bounce and very effective in the T20. Top tourist with sporting stats always at his fingertips.

Tim Walker / Left Arm Guile and Flight

Wily old left armer with cunning flight and swing, and master tactician. Tim's experience eventually paid huge dividends when he walked away with the 2016 bowling prize. Tim is also the Tigers' overseas ambassador and spokesman touring Bangladesh last year in full Tiger kit except in the guest house where he gave fellow tourist Rob an eyeful when he went full Giles Monty.

James Ravenhill / Right Hand Bat / Wicketkeeper

Using the power of the internet Ravers answered a call for new players and found the Tigers. He was welcomed literally into the bosom of the Tiger family and under the tutorage of Andy Clarke and the wing of Jon Elsom has blossomed into a jolly fine gentleman. He embraces each game with unbridled joy and abandon as Clive found out on taking his maiden Tiger wicket.

Young Jon Bramall / Fast Left Arm Bowler / Left Hand Bat

YJB is a curious signing in many ways. Clearly a class above your standard Tiger player YJB chose to give up league cricket and come and play with a bunch of old fogies. Since his debut where he bowled fast and struck a hard hit 90 he has decided to become a bit more rubbish and fit in better.

Tom Baily / Right Hand Bat

Very steady batsman ideal for seeing off the new ball. Won innings of the year a few seasons ago for a 36 ball nought which is a Tiger record. Several of the team missed part of the innings as they had to go off on silent retreat to India. The entire innings, partly filmed using special night vision time lapse photogrpahy, is set for release in two parts as part of the Andy Warhol Sleep retrospective later this year. Tom will be padded up at the premiere for a live Q and A satellite link up.

Will Baily / Right Hand Bat

As above.

Clive Hawkins / Medium Pace Bowler

Clive was poached from a rival team and was only too happy to provide his signature after seeing the Tiger facilities at Brighton College before realising that we play at East Brighton Park normally. Making his umpiring and playing debut on the College grounds he proceeded to show no respect for reputations by giving Ali out stumped on walkabout, allowing himself to step in to marshall the team to victory in the Round George's T20 Cup Bash. Andy has the broken cup that he dropped at the Xmas dinner on display in his toilet [can we have a picture please? Ed.] Unfortunately Clive is currently sidelined with a shoulder rotator injury originally sustained in a coming together midwicket with a celebrating Ravers and exacerbated whilst bending down to pick up a dog turd at East Brighton.

Freddie Piper / Fast Bowler / Right Hand Bat

Very talented fast bowler and strong middle order batsman. Does History at school.

Ewan Hoozami / Fast Bowler / Right Hand Bat

Ewan is another "the next Beefy Botham" type and is a Disc Jockey.

Graeme "The" Mollins / Leg roll bowler

Revealed a wondrous leg slider (and a "thou shalt not pass" forward defence) in the inaugural indoor league this winter. Unfortunately a move away from the East Brighton area has curtailed Graeme's appearances for the club but he has firmly established himself at No. 11 for his new club. 2016 was celebrated as "The Year of the Mollins" and Graeme duly responded with a new personal best score of 20 at the little ground with the funky scoreboard and the noisy sheep.

Paul Bigg Wither / Right Arm Medium Fast Swinger

On his day with his elegant approach to the wicket and slingy action Paul combines pace bounce and uncommon outswing to be a handful for opposing opening right handers. Paul recently took up a shield contract in Australia to hone his cricketing skills and now flies in especially for the occasional guest appearance for the Tigers.

Jon Elsom / Fast Right Arm Opening Bowler

Another international jet-setter Jon E (Fr), or Jean D'Elsom as he is known in the provinces, flies in from France especially to open the bowling for the Zambucans. He likes nothing better than to whistle the ball past the batsmen's ears (this is assuming they are no more than 2 ft tall and standing quite close). A true Tiger Legend Jon is one of the founding fathers of the club and gets better with each passing year like the fine wine he enjoyed with Ravers on pre Tour last year. His charm ensured the delectable Josephine returned our deposits at the campsite.

Danny Lloyd / Batsman / Medium Pace all-rounder

When golden ducked lbw on his debut two years ago there was only one way up and Danny has since soared in bowling and batting, particularly in the T20 format...and quizzing too. In the evenings he trades his willow for an axe fronting up new wave rock trio The Hybrid Kid.

Big Dave T/ Medium Pace Bowler

Steady medium pace line and length merchant and celebrated no. 11. Along with Giles and Andy, Dave T is another one who likes to prance around the changing room naked with the door open - he is very old skool and likes to shower after a game.

Barry Ray / Wicket Keeper Batsman

Shows no respect for straight bowling with his trademark sweep. Yet another big hitter in the Zambucan middle order. Veteran glove man and team Treasurer. Ex vice captain and inventor of the solar powered scoreboard (yet to see the light of day but patent pending).

Rob Bishop / Batsman / Off Spin Bowler

Nicely shaped off spinner and solid batsman adept at both the long form of the game and T20. Top quiz master and fountain of cricket knowledge. He's also your man if you need to put a bet on during a game. On tour he modelled a new saucepan shaped helmut which gained a ringing endorsement from Aidan. Sometimes he does a Triathlon on the way to a game.

Khan / Opening bat and medium pacer

Feirce hitting Khan provides momentum at the top of the order. Also a top class fielder and accurate medium pacer (although I think I'll amend that to medium quick after the Montefiore game).

Rajeev / Off Spin bowler

Zambuca's genuine finger spinner who likes to push it through to the surprise of many an opposition batsman. Recently Rajeev has been sporting rather fetching pink cricket "whites" following a washing machine incident. Is still awaiting a decision on a tiger tail following an over of 4 wickets including a hat trick.

Akshat / Opening Bat and Medium Fast Bowler

Wristy Akshat regularly provides impetus at the top of the Tiger order. An avalanche of 50s and 100s has seen him make the annual Batsman of the Year Award his own. Pretty swift cut bowler too.

Zeeshan Ali / All rounder

Ali has made numerous match winning performances with his accurate pace bowling and caribbean style batting as demonstrated last season with a Tiger record knock of 150!

Ajith / Left Arm Fast

Recent signing from the IPL, Bollywood film mogul Ajith is on location seeking a John Lennon (and some top cricket) - he hopes to find both within the ranks of the Tiger family this summer.

Aidan Stark / Spin bowler

Aidan was on the fringes of the Jersey National Team on account of his aristocratic heritage when he decided to join the Tigers. It's been all uphill since then as Lord Stark du Paff Plessis has cemented himself in the middle order becoming one of the skipper's go to regulars. Adrian has perfected the outside off waft and has started connecting with a few most memorably seeing us home to victory at the Round Georges T20 Bash last season. His slingy prance of a run up disguises an intoxicating mix of off and leg rollers frequently bamboozling batsmen and fielders alike. Also a mainstay of the Tiger quiz team Aidan spends non cricketing evenings in his bedsit eating salty snacks and Portslade Sponge.

Kim / Batter and Left Arm Spinner

Kim flies in from the Middle East each summer for a short term T20 contract. He hits hard and deals in boundaries only (when batting of course, but also fielding). He has also developed a new "moon" ball which hasn't actually landed yet.

Tom Brookshaw / Fast bowler and right hand bat

The young, gifted and fearless Tom turns up when school is out to provide powerful stroke play and quick bowling. Tom became the youngest Tiger batsmen to reach 100 and the coveted tiger tail.

Dave Kennington / Opening Bat and Medium Pacer

Primarily a classy opening batsman capable of really big scores and some big sixes much to the shock of a passing van driver at Denton last season. Big Dave reliably informs me that he was the first player to have scored a century in Zambucan colours and has now achieved this feat no less than 5 times. Also a very reliable medium pacer able to bowl at the death which is going to prove very useful now he has retired from National Trust duties and enters the twilight of his career.

Nick Straiton / All rounder

Ex-skipper and ex-musician. Classy middle order batsman and reliable medium pacer who has been working on his doosra for the last 4 or 5 years. Has now hung up his guitar to concentrate on cricket. Despite his best efforts the authorities have so far refused to let Dr. Nick hang up his stethoscope and following a mis-diagnosis of Aidan's metatarsal injury on tour last season he now takes his team doctor duties very seriously.

Nick Richards / Allrounder

Nick is a rare commodity in the Tiger ranks - a genuine allround sportsman. Athletic in the field, technically assured batter and useful wicket taking seamer in the Ian Botham mould.

Usman / Opening Bat

Big hitting opening batter and Tiger Tail holder.

Dominic / Middle Order Bat and keen fielder

Currently residing in the "where are they now" file

Julian Birch / Great one day batter, keen fielder and useful doosrah bowler. Actually invented the ramp and reverse sweep several years before McCullum and Peitersen threw out the batting manual.

Al Tomlins / Off Spinner

Al was signed from LMS colleagues Villains last summer and has cemented his place in the Sunday side with some nicely pushed through off spin. Can often be seen hanging out in North Laine coffee houses at the weekends in his LMS red flannels.

Nick Barlow / Opening Bat and Medium Bowler

Also moonlighting from Villain LMS duties Nick is a strong opening bat and useful bouncy medium pacer. As the Villain captain Nick hails from a bygone era where pre-match smokes and tinnies were very much the order of the day. Nick has made one concession to modern ways though by being the only Tiger to bat with a lovely purple helmut. Makes a mean cup of coffee too.

Tayyab / All rounder

Tayyab started his career as a fast bowler specialising in wicked Waqar like induckers (he once clocked 160 kmph in the nets with an orange). Since then he has also established himself as a devastating pinch hitter in the T20 format of the game.

Si Williams / Fast Left Arm Bowler

Simon occasionally turns up for some left arm seam in between flying Jon Elsom back and forth on Easyjet

Simon Rogers / All rounder

Since Paul Davey's retirement Si has taken on the mantle of loud wicket keeper in his specialist games of evening T20s, LMS, and indoor cricket.

Shahzad / All rounder

Shahzad takes time out from serious league cricket to turn out for the Tigers on an occasional Sunday. He bowls very fast and hits the ball very hard of course and shouldn't really be allowed, but he must enjoy the challenge, and we enjoy watching.

Yatin /

tbc.

Gavin Walker / Fast Bowler

U21 player with huge potential as a quick, and a well organised bat too.

Jon Edgell / Right Hand Batter

Jon E (Grant) (UK) likes to make the most of his appearances by sticking around at the crease for as long as possible providing a foil for the abundance of attacking batsmen that Zambuca are blessed with. Just don't let him open with Ashley nor go into the bushes at East Brighton.

William Straiton / Right Hand Batter and Medium Pacer

Like Gavin and Vishvash, the future of the Zambucans currently providing 12th man duties. Some feisty fielding performances.

Paul Davey / Right Hand Wicket Keeper/Batsman

A solid batsman and reliable understudy to Barry behind the stumps. Also an enthusiastic sledger with funny socks. Has since emigrated to Brazil where he has become the first Tiger to receive an international call-up.

Ashley Croshwaite / Right Hand Batsman

One of the few Zambucan batsman who can provide the sheet anchor role with his technical stroke making and rock solid defence, as the big hitters go to work at the other end.

Charles Secrett / Right Hand Batsman

Publishable comments invited (I have heard on authority that Charles is the only Tiger to have his own Wikipedia entry although have not checked this citation myself)?

Rupert / Right Hand Batsman and Medium Trundler

Rupert captains The Caners and debuted for the Tigers this winter in the indoor league and we hope to see him on grass this summer.

Darren / Right Arm Slow Bowler

A very fast and brave fielder and economical bowler.

Nitin / Right Arm Slow and Middle Order Batter

Is considering having his hair cut in order to be mistaken by opposition batsmen for Ali.

Alex / Off spinner and wicket keeper

Fanatical Palace supporter Alex hails from Piers Morgan's Newick Club. He has impressed behind the stumps while Barry nurses his hip and has a natural gift for off spin.

John Harpur / Right Arm Medium Pacer

I think John is a blues singer.

Chris Adcock / Right Arm Fastr

Beefy Chris's swashbuckling appearances at the wicket have been severly limited recently ostensibly due to "women problems". Apparently this was not true and it was a hockey injury.

Phil Evans / Right Hand Bat

Phil has provided some new blood in the shakey Zambucan middle order and has also taken over team photographer duties. Specialist gully.

Campbell / All rounder

Another of Zambuca's overseas signings "Wildman" Campbell entertains the crowds from ball one with his "throw caution to the wind" approach to batting. Bowls with a Jeff Thompson action and at similar pace.