TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: TIM LOWE

Tiger in the Spotlight: Tim Lowe

This week’s Tiger in the Spotlight is another of our fine crop of youngsters. However, this one plays his cricket at Sandford-St-Martin, not Combe CC.

That’s right, it’s another of our batting supremos, Tim Lowe. 

After making his debut in the Ambush at the tail end of the 2012 season, Tim was a regular throughout 2013. And, as one of only three Tigers who scored more than 100 league runs last season, we very much hope he’ll be a regular again through 2014.

Tim has a sense of humour as dry as an Australian wicket but he’s always ready with a bit of banter out in the field and words of encouragement when they’re needed. 

Oooooh, nice shape Tim. Fetch that out of deep cover!

Despite a very respectable overall average of 29.60, Tim fell foul of a couple of dodgy decisions during the course of the 2013 season. Given leg before wicket in the away fixture at Uffington, Tim didn’t make a song and dance about it out on the square. A true Tiger, Tim upheld the Ambush’s excellent reputation of good sportsmanship with a simple tap to the inside edge of his bat as he left the crease. A quiet but clear indication to the umpire that the batsman felt he’d caught an inside edge before the ball struck his pad. You just can’t get a decent umpire these days Tim, can you?

No mate, look to the crease ... we've just said you're sharp in the field

But Tim’s season improved both with the bat and in the field. On a damp and murky Wednesday evening at Swinbrook, he snapped up a very smart catch in the slips to dismiss opener Shrive for a duck off the bowling of Hass Olympia. 

And his other smart catch of the season was taken at Swinbrook too as he took Stuffed Beavers dangerman Neil Morton at midwicket off the bowling of Ben McPherson. 

Oh yes, Tim’s a smart fielder alright. Even when the ball is played at ground level, opposing batsmen have to be quick on their feet. Uffington’s Taylor found that out as our Tim produced a sharp run out in our league victory over the men from White Horse Hill.    

But it is with the bat that other members of the bat look to Tim first and foremost. He exceeded a solid 41 against Uffington in the final league game of the season as he produced the highest individual league innings of any Tiger in the 2013 season. A classy and hard fought 69 against Swinbrook as he and Chris Grain struggled in vain to save the game against the league champions.

That's heading for the famous Swinbrook stream

Tim, you’re a smashing bloke, a fine cricketer and a true Tiger. We’re all proud to play alongside you in the Ambush mate.

Here's your stats for the 2013 season ...

League batting performances

Friendly batting

Overall batting

And he even bowls a bit ...

Tiger, we salute you!

TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: HASSAN MOHSIN

Tiger in the Spotlight: Hassan Mohsin

As the spotlight continues to swing its way around The Ambush to highlight those Tigers who took to the field in the 2013 season, this week it rests upon Hassan Mohsin.

Another of the crop of young Combe players to join the Ambush, Hass made his Tigers debut at the start of the 2013 season. And he made an instant impact. Not just for his cricketing skills but because he's a great team player and an all round top bloke. Always cheerful, always encouraging and always constructive, Hass quickly established himself as a player's player. 

The 2013 Player's Player: Hass (centre) with Pete Bartlett (left) and Mark Westaby

That was reflected when he was voted Tigers Player of the 2013 Season.

So let's take first take a look at our swashbuckling all-rounder's batting performance. 

Hass in league action against Swinbrook at West Witney

For his parent club Hass is a top order batsman but, because he is always called upon for his bowling skills, he regularly drops down to number four or five in the Tigers batting order. In a couple of games in the 2013 league season, when we really needed the runs, he selflessly sacrificed his wicket going for big hits. Yes, he could have played for his average but that's just not Hass' style.

That one is powered away as Hass thumps his way to 41 against Uffington

His highest score of the season came in our first away game of the West Oxfordshire Midweek League game when he piled on 41 to establish a 62 partnership with skipper Chris Grain against Uffington. 

He bowls a bit too ...

But, as I said, Hass bowls too. Mainly spin but he can put the ball down like a quickie too when he feels like it. In a season where league wickets were spread thinly amongst the Tigers' bowlers, Hass topped our wicket takers in the league with four from five games including a 2-22 against Audley Ducks back in June 2013.

Hass quickens up the pace at home to Swinbrook

And fielding? Yes, as you'd expect and typical of all our Combe CC lads, Hass is as sharp as a tack in field. Not just for his three catches in league games, including a very sharp caught and bowled to dismiss Uffington danger man Taylor, but for the number of runs he stops too.

Hass, you're a top bloke, a great cricketer and a pleasure to play alongside. Your Tigers Player of the 2013 Season was hard fought with Chris Grain but I know the skipper thought it was well deserved.

Hass' 2013 league batting figures

And here's how he did with the ball

Tiger, we salute you!  

TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: HUW NEYROUD

Tiger in the Spotlight: Huw Neyroud

As the spotlight swings slowly around the Ambush to light up the regulars through the 2013 season, today it falls on Tigers' wicket keeper/batsman Huw Neyroud.

After making his debut in the Ambush in 2012 as the 45th Tiger to pull on the orange and green shirt, Huw demonstrated in 2013 that he is not a friendly player. By that, I don't mean he's unfriendly. It's just that he played in every West Oxfordshire Midweek League match but no friendlies at all. He's a serious cricketer is our Huw. And a top bloke as well.

Huw on his way to his Tigers 2013 top score of 21 v Audley Ducks

Apart from being a safe pair of hands, Huw brings a steadying influence into the Tigers batting line up. Another of our young Tigers from Combe CC's 2013 Telegraph Cup finalists, he's naturally cautious but never afraid of throwing bat at ball if we need the runs. It's a selflessness that has cost him a better average for the 2013 season. Believe me, he's a better batsman than his 2013 top score of 21 (v Audley Ducks) and average of 9.00 suggests. That's just the format of midweek cricket and your place in the batting order I'm afraid Huw.

In action at Uffington

And Huw's wicket-keeping record through the 2013 league season? Well, not spectacular in catches and stumpings. But if the chances aren't there, that's not the keeper's problem. The important fact is that Huw didn't miss any easy catches or stumpings ... if at all. And take a look at Huw's record in stopping byes and leg-byes and you really see is value as a wicket keeper to The Ambush. Just six byes and eight leg-byes in six league games demonstrates what an asset Huw is to the Tigers.

Friendlier days in the 2012 season

We're proud of our Huw. He's a top Tiger, representing both our charity and our cricket team superbly and showing a maturity and selflessness beyond his years. Thanks for your contribution last season mate ... Tiger, we salute you!

Huw's 2013 season league batting record

And his 2013 season keeping record

SPECIALEFFECT TIGERS v STUFFED BEAVERS CC 2014 FIXTURE CONFIRMED

After a terrific game in the sweltering heat of Swinbrook last season, The Ambush notched up a narrowish victory over our mates Stuffed Beavers. 

Now, the 2014 fixture is confirmed.

No ground confirmation yet but The Ambush will face the Beavers on Sunday 13th July 2014.

Put it in your diaries Tigers. This is always a good game played against a bunch of top blokes.

And here are those Stuffed Beavers of 2013 ...

And the The Ambush that faced them ...

And this is how the game panned out in 2013 ...

You wouldn't want to miss another game like that ... would you?

FIRST GAME OF 2014 SEASON CONFIRMED

It might still be a dismal January outside but we're already busy looking forward to sunny days in the cricket field.

The first confirmed game for the Tigers' 2014 season is Field Crickets CC.

You can follow the Crickets on Twitter @fieldcricketscc or LIKE their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FieldCricketsCC. Go on, get on over and give our new mates a LIKE! 

The Ambush will meet the Crickets on Sunday 24th August so please get it in your diaries early. The venue for the game is yet to be confirmed but, as always, we try our mates over at Combe Cricket Club first.

TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CAM NEWTON-GRAIN

Tiger in the Spotlight

Cam Newton-Grain

This week's Tiger in the Spotlight is one of the Ambush's young guns; last season's Player of the Season, Cameron Newton-Grain.

Cam first appeared in the Ambush in the 2011 season and since has gone on to be a regular in the Tigers' line-up. 

Nowadays he's our equivalent of Stuart Broad. Great with a ball in his hand, no slouch with the bat and not short of attitude either. Oh, and let's not forget his speed, agility and bravery in the field either.

Like all the Tigers bowlers, Cam's figures suffered a little this season through the shortened format games. The 20/20 format in the West Oxfordshire Midweek League has meant that pretty much any ball that isn't bang on line and length gets punished ... and even some that are on line and length get punished too.

In action against Witney RFC

But Cam has shown a maturity beyond his years in the face of some aggressive batting from the likes of Uffington, Swinbrook and Witney RFC. Never complaining in the face of the big hitters, Cam has stuck to his job and learned from his experience. Not surprising really seeing as the youngster has benefited from the tuition of ex-England players Phil De Freitas and John Crawley at his Magdalen College school.

Cam didn't have much of a chance with the bat through the 2013 season which is something I'm sure he'd like to rectify in the 2014 season. In his six 2013 league and friendly 2013 season appearances, Cam was forced into cameo batting appearances, high scoring with 10 against Witney RFC.

Looking forward to a bit more batting in 2014?

So let's take a look at Cam's stats for the 2013 season, starting with his bowling ...

And here's how Cam did with the bat ...

Thanks for all your efforts through the 2013 season Cam. We look forward to lining up alongside you again in the summer.

Tiger, we salute you!

TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CHRIS GRAIN

Chris Grain

Tiger in the Spotlight 

After a longer than expected break in the Tiger in the Spotlight feature, tonight the Spotlight falls on Tigers' Captain Fantastic, Chris Grain.

Unlike England skipper, Alistair Cook, our Chris managed to combine the pressures of skippering The Ambush with doing a great job with the bat throughout the 2013 season. Not to be outdone with the bat by our talented crop of younger Tigers, Chris elegantly carved out some superb innings including that fantastic 55 against Swinbrook in the West Oxon Midweek 20/20 League.

The skipper with a late cut as Audley Ducks' point looks on ... 

Chris' batting got off to a shaky start in a rain affected friendly against London Badgers at Combe back in May. Going for quick runs he top edged a James Hayes ball and was promptly snapped up by Badgers' Kerr for a duck. But after that, the runs came thick and fast for the skipper and his innings' were admired by his fellow Tigers' of all ages. Scores of 37 against Stuffed Beavers, 35 and 55 against Swinbrook and a battling 37 against Uffington brought Chris within one vote of winning the Tiger of the Year award, only to be pipped at the death by Hass Mohsin. Regardless, his innings' last season cemented our skippers' place as a key man of the Tigers' batting line up. 

Driving through mid-wicket against Audley Ducks

But Chris' cricket isn't all about his batting. He's an excellent fielder and can be often found alongside Baz Floyd at mid-off or mid-on where they cheerlead the bowlers. In short, a great batsman, excellent fielder and a terrific bloke. And I should know because I've been playing cricket with him since he was six or seven years old.

Chris flicks one through leg on his way to 55 against Swinbrook

And here's a breakdown of Chris' batting for the 2013 season ...

League Performances

Friendly Performances

Overall 2013 Batting Performances

Well done Chris. Skipper, we salute you!