From

Message

President

Posted : 19/07/2007 21:45

Subject : Can you bowl the Doosra ?

ONE of the most pleasing aspects of belonging to Ashford Cricket Club is to know you are a member of a club with no class or race barriers.

I am pleased to say the membership roll, both senior and junior, reflects all that is best about a multi-cultural sporting Britain.

I was reminded of the lead Ashford is giving other clubs in attracting new members from all walks of life and backgrounds on a recent visit to the Loughborough national cricket performance centre.

I would estimate that three-quarters of the bowlers attending the ECB Spin Event that day were of Asian origin. Two of them, Adil Rashid and Azeem Rafiq, belong to Yorkshire. Adil, a leg-break bowler, has been a regular member of the first team, and Azeem captained the England U15s last season and is currently playing for the county's second team. Both are bowling all-rounders, and both, I reckon, will play for England.

Azeem can bowl, not one, but two, 'doosras'. One comes out of the top of his fingers, the second is ripped from a twirling wrist with enough revs to turn it square. The interview left me restless to discover whether any young Ashford bowler can bowl the 'doosra' or has the ability to develop this delivery. In simple terms, the 'doosra' is a leg-break delivered with an off-break bowler's action. The great Muttiah Muralitharan has perfected this delivery.

My view is that if one of our bowlers can develop a deadly 'doosra', Ashford has every chance of regaining a foothold in the Kent League Premiership.

Thankfully, the welcome mat has been rolled out at Ball Lane to all races and creeds who wants to play decent cricket in an all-embracing spirit of friendship. That very attractive club policy is good for us as an ambitious and caring club, and can only be good for the future of English cricket.

By the way, there's a meal-for-two at an Indian restaurant of his or her choice to the club member who can prove to me they can bowl the 'doosra'. Offer expires at the end of Cricket Week.

How long you reckon before a club member becomes the first person of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent to hold the office of President of Ashford Cricket Club?

May I conclude this message to members by reminding them of Ashford's main summer event, the return of the Lashings All Stars to Ball Lane on Wednesday, 22nd August.

This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the family to a run-fest put on by some of the world's finest Test cricketers. The corporate lunch and auction, inside a marquee erected on the ground, gives members another chance to dine in comfort while watching the action from their lunch table.

Book your lunch place with the club this week to avoid disappointment.

-Bill Day