BADGER BAGS ONE HUNDREDTH FIFTY [29/09/08 19:36:27]

Sunday 31st August 2008 will be long-remembered by Abberton stalwart Barry Ball as he passed the incredible milestone of recording his 100th half century for the club during the 2nd XI home game with Boxted.

No doubt a few tears were shed by 'Badger' (pictured right), as he could have been forgiven for thinking the moment may not arrive as his appearances this term have been somewhat limited to say the least with the influx of young players, some of whom are able to bend at the waist, at The Brow.

His achievement is perhaps all the more remarkable considering that he didn't take up the game until the age of 35. Indeed, there are plenty of Abberton players who have given up peforming way before that age!

Chairman Simon Swinn has been digging around in the club archives and has unearthed the following information on a man whose enthusiasm for the game (and also the Star crossword) continues unabated.

Apparently his first game was for Woods and he fielded on the boundary with a pint next to him; does that surprise anybody? It is likely that such cricketing legends as Dave Tingley, Peter Wright, Bill Black and Ted Phillips would have also featured in that game.

His Abberton debut came in 1982, making him the longest serving current player and he holds the following records:

826 club appearances (at start of 2008 season) - fifth in all-time list

16,798 club career runs (at start of 2008 season) - third in all-time list

Most career appearances for the 2nd X1 (636 at start of 2008 season)

Most 2nd X1 runs in a career (13,096 at start of 2008 season)

Most 3rd X1 runs in a career (2654 at start of 2008 season)

2nd X1 record wicket partnerships held are:

  1st wkt 252 with Mike Abrey v St Osyth 2000

  5th wkt 114 with Rob Simpkin v Marks Tey 2001

3rd X1 record wicket partnerships held:

  1st wkt 153 with Shaun Whitfield v Silver End 1999

Extras:

  One of only three people to have played 50 times + for each of the three senior XIs

  One of only two to have scored 1000 runs + for each of the three senior XIs

  One of only two to have scored 100 half centuries for the club

End of season awards won:

  2nd X1 player of the year 1999

  2nd X1 batting award 5 times (1987, 1994, 1999, 2000 and 2001)

  3rd X1 batting award 5 times (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998)

  Duck Cup 1997

  Aggregate runs 3 times (1999, 2000 and 2001)