Dodgers Player Profiles - John Adey

2004 saw a welcome return for John who made a handful of appearances and was keen to show off his new slimmed down athletic look. This enabled him to bowl with a yard of extra pace and his fastest ball was timed at an impressive 27mph. Some things never change though and his typical bowling analysis was the usual 4 overs, 1-29. Hopefully will play a bit more in 2005 (he eventually played 6 matches, followed by 4 in 2006).

During the 2007 Season, John finally took his 100th wicket for Dodgers.

Mr Adey played his 106th and last match for Dodgers on Tuesday 31 July 2007 against the Ombudsman. He opened the batting (2 runs, 12 mins, 11 balls) and the bowling (2-0-24-0). A rather emphatic defeat for Dodgers could not take the shine off the special occasion and John was clapped off the field by both sides.

Dodgers wish John and his family the best as they move to Devon.

------

Adey's Dodgers Stats

2007
--
Bowling
--
O   M    R  W     SR    Avg  Econ
19  0  123  6  19.00  20.50  6.47
--
Batting
--
M  I  R NO   Avg HS 50 100 Ct St
5  2  3  1  3.00  2  0   0  0  0
--
All-Time
--
Bowling
--
  M    O     R    W    Avg     SR  Econ  Best
106  389  2112  105  20.11  22.23  5.43  5-13
--
Batting
--
  M   I  NO    R   Avg 50 100  HS    C St   C/M
106  55  14  302  7.37  0   0  31*  14  0  0.13

Dodgers Player Profiles - Rod Paterson

Rod is affectionately known as FPS (Future Permanent Secretary) following his rapid promotion to G7 at the tender age of 13. As befits his youth, Rod is one of the team's more agile fielders and has a fine throw and a generally safe pair of hands. He is also our quickest regular bowler by some distance but does not always get the wickets he deserves, frequently suffering a number of edged catchable boundaries due to lack of competent support in the field from his ageing teamates (he has been known to stand with hands on hips staring skywards as the demon Pope snares another victim). Rod knows how to hold a bat but does not get many opportunities to show his capabilities. Has recently started to drink more ale than lager which has to be a good thing.

2006
Batting and fielding
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
8  5  48  3  24.00  17  1  0
Bowling
 O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
33    3 152  7 28.29 21.71  4.61

Dodgers Player Profiles - Peter Lee

Peter is affectionately known as FDSRP (Future Deputy Secretary to Rod Paterson) and works with the DfT "great and good". A new recruit last season, he snared a surprisingly high number of wickets with his unique mixture of long hops and beamers. He also endeared himself to his new teamates by busting McBs hand at pre-season nets. Peter had mixed success with his top order batting but clearly has all rounder pretensions.

He is one of our better fielders (i.e. poor) and is frequently despatched to patrol the boundary once the slog is on (i.e. from the second over). Peter captained the side to an honourable draw in the end of season finale against Buckhurst and could be a candidate to replace Captain Carr when the great man calls time. Whether Dodgers could ever elect a Eurofizz-swilling skipper remains to be seen and Peter's prospects would be enhanced if he started drinking proper beer.

2006
Batting and fielding
 M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
13 10  94  4  15.67  26  1  0
Bowling
 O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
38    2 242 11 20.73 22.00  6.37

Dodgers Player Profiles Index

John Adey
Rod Paterson
Peter Lee
Matt Taylor
Tawhid Qureshi
David Pope
Matt Leach
Chris Jacobs
John Hilary
John Doyle
Andrew Crawford
Neil Benn
John Cooper
Simon Cousins
Guy Westhead OBE
Kim "The Cat" Matthews
Phil McBarron
Neil Priest
John Carr

Dodgers Player Profiles - Matt Taylor

Matt is the other half of Youth Policy with Alex Luke and has increased the percentage of northerners in the squad even further. He covers shed-loads of ground in the field and can throw a ball further than the rest of the regulars added together. He's already been dubbed the "left-handed McBarron", which tells you all you need to know about his batting - he's even mastered Phil's chronic running and tanker-like turning circle.

First season redhead Matt enjoyed a decent if inconsistent season with the bat, mixing good scores with an equal number of ducks. Already established as our regular opening bat, Yorkshireman Matt has been labelled the left-handed McBarron (high praise indeed). However, despite his classical high left elbow front foot technique, he is still prone to the odd expansive shot that McB would never countenance. Matt needs to remember that a chanceless 15 off 30 overs that lays the platform for a final total of 95, is often more valuable than a flashy 70 off 20 overs, which might set up a score of 250 but could equally see us collapse to 94 all out. Matt is an excellent fielder but his occasional bowling is of the don't-call-us-we'll-call-you variety. Has run out HRH Priesty twice, which is always good value down the bar. Unfortunately Matt drinks lager!

Matt played very little in 2006 (and his stats bear this out!) but we hope he’ll make it down for the odd match in 2007.

2006

Batting and fielding
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
3  3   2  0   0.67   1  1  0

Bowling
O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
1    1   0  0    --    --  0.00

2004

Bowling

O   R   W   Econ  Avg  SR
1.5  14  1  9.3  14.0  9.0

Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
13  277  3  27.7

Dodgers Player Profiles - Tawhid Qureshi

A newcomer for 2003, prior to his man of the match winning performance against Treasury in July 2003, cruel Dodgers might have suggested that Tawhid's main contribution to the side had been to introduce us to his mate Mark Cavanagh. TQ undoubtedly needs to work on his consistency - his bowling can be as much a mystery for Dodgers as it is for opposing batsmen - he bowls wicket-taking balls one minute and a series of long hops the next, leading to some of the wildest figures in our history. We've yet to see what he can do with the bat.

It was decided to use Tawhid as a front line batsman in 2004. The decision paid off and Tawhid racked up a number of decent scores. Clearly still fancies himself as a bowler even if the rest of us don't, unless we are batting against him. Tawhid is an excellent fielder, apart from his catching. Another lager drinker!

He also goes down in infamy for his performance whilst fulfilling the office of Club Secretary. A bloodless coup in 2006 resulted in his removal.

TQ's place in the team is secure, however, provided he undertakes never ever again to defy the Captain's orders and actually try to get Stevie Carter out when bowling to him.

2006

Batting
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
13 13 196  3  19.60  54  1  0
Bowling
O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
4    0  34  0    --    --  8.50

2005

Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
 1   28  1   - -

2004

Bowling
O   R    W  Econ  Avg  SR
34  182  7  5.4  26.0  29.1
Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
10  136  2  17.0

Dodgers Player Profiles - David Pope

Saqlain Mushtaq has a dart; Muttiah Muralitharan has a Doozra; Shane Warne has a Zooter. But none of them has anything as potent a weapon as Popey's speciality ball - the Doobler. It pitches on off stump drawing the batsman forward, then pitches again on middle-and-off, forcing the batsman into an ungainly swipe across the line, then hits middle. Although he hasn't quite recaptured his 2002 form this year, David still has some magic up his sleeve, back injury permitting.

A desperately reluctant batsman, he has struggled in the field except for one sublime moment in the 2001 season when he trapped the ball at mid off a la Tony Currie, then stooped and threw down the stumps in one sweep. The batsman hasn't stopped shaking since.

David is feared and revered in places as far apart as Buckhurst Hill and Croydon. The little maestro continued to pick up his share of wickets in 2004 but is still looking for that elusive first catch. Amazingly, hasn't been sought out by spin twin Alex Luke for tips and coaching (go on Alex, you know it makes sense).

2005

Bowling
 O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
30    2 205  7 25.71 29.29  6.83
Batting and fielding
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
8  2   0  2     --   0  0  0

2005

Bowling
O     R    W  Econ  Avg  SR
3   17  1  5.7  17.0  18.0

2004

Bowling
O     R    W  Econ  Avg  SR
27.4  150  7  5.4  21.4  23.7

Dodgers Player Profiles - Matt Leach

Website founder/guru Matt is another member of Dodgers' Tyke Triangle and the side's lone regular spinner. Not that he turns it much, mind. His idea of a leg trap is deep fine leg, deep backward square leg, deep mid-wicket etc., all of whom ought to wear helmets, and some deliveries are so high they interfere with the radar at Heathrow.

An improving batsman and fielder (with plenty of scope to do so), he represents the Senior Civil Service in the squad, though is quite human despite that.

Domestic duties mean that Matt hasn't played since 2004 which was good news for us but bad news for our opponents. His slow non-spinning spin bowling has not really threatened in the last couple of seasons and a few confidence-building sessions down the nets would do him the world of good. Matt supports Leeds United and likes real ale so he's OK with me.

2004

Bowling

O   R   W   Econ  Avg  SR
10  90  1  9.0  90.0  60.0

Dodgers Player Profiles - Chris Jacobs

Having missed his upright opening batting for several years, Dodgers welcomed Chris Jacobs back with open arms from his three year exile in Bristol. So far we haven't seen as many runs as had been expected (not least because of his inexplicable prioritisation of private office work above turning out for those vital early season games - can't Lord Williams do his own box?). The only photographic evidence of his batting talent is the picture on the right. Sorry, Chris!

Not much was seen of Chris in 2004 and he is keeping radio silence thus far in 2005 but it is hoped we see more of him next year. An excellent fielder and on his day (usually November 17th) an effective hard-hitting bat. Has recently got engaged to a girlie, which doesn't augur well for next season.

2006

Batting
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
6  6  27  1   5.40  13  0  0
Bowling
O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
0.4  0   5  0    --    --  7.50

2004

Batting
I   R  NO  Avg
3  10  0   3.3

Dodgers Player Profiles - John Hilary

John maintained his high bowling standards from previous seasons but had a disappointing season with the bat. I blame the helmet, which has also made his hair go grey! Has a bowler's perspective when umpiring so if it hits you on the pads and he's at the other end, you'd better start walking.

2006

Bowling
 O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
33.2  1 163 13 15.38 12.54  4.89
Batting
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
9  6  61  3  20.33  18  3  0

2005

Bowling
O   R    W   Econ  Avg  SR
 7    6   3  0.9   2.0   14.0

2004

Bowling
O   R    W   Econ  Avg  SR
74  297  21  4.0  14.1  21.1
Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
12  124  4  15.5

Dodgers Player Profiles - John Doyle

Arguably the founder of Dodgers, Doyleee is an institution. Or should be in one. Agreeing to accept life membership a few years back if he retired, he showed all the modesty and consistency you'd expect of someone who supports Surrey and Manchester United by carrying on playing. Has produced with both bat and ball on occasions when his long-term knee injury permits.

Dodgers Player Profiles - Andrew Crawford

The trainspotting Charterhouse old boy has departed for new pastures in Brussels so it is doubtful we will see him for some while.

On his day a quick/slingy bowler and a destructive bat, Andrew has been one of our premier all-rounders. We shall particularly miss his sunny persona in the field and his advisories on which end of the platform to stand at when catching a train at an unfamiliar station (although McBarron seems to be slipping into his shoes quite ably).

2004

Bowling
O   R    W  Econ  Avg   SR
24  112  4  4.7   28.0  36.0
Batting
I  R  NO  Avg
5  85 0   17.0

Dodgers Player Profiles - Neil Benn

Neil just pipped Adey in the speed gun challenge, with one wind assisted down-the-slope delivery clocked at 29mph. Neil was one of our most consistent and reliable bowlers as reflected in his stats. Also had his moments with the bat, including a virtual lone hand against Warwick Castle. Is rightly proud of his Yorkshireness.

2006

Bowling
 O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
31    1 171  6 31.00 28.50  5.52
Batting and fielding
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
5  3  27  0   9.00  19  2  0

2005

Bowling
O   R    W   Econ  Avg   SR
 7   21   3  3.0    7.0  14.0

2004

Bowling
O   R    W   Econ  Avg   SR
83  284  16  3.4   17.8  31.1
Batting
I   R    NO  Avg
12  127  7   25.4

Dodgers Player Profiles - John Cooper

John was Dodgers Player of the Season 2006 (aka the turning up and getting a few wickets award).

Is also rightly revered for his excellent organisational skills and the marvellous Dodgers website. His wank batting and dodgy fielding prove he is human though.

2006

Bowling
O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
81    9 351 15 32.40 23.40  4.33
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
20  7  58  3  14.50  23  3  0

2005

Bowling
O    R   W   Econ  Avg  SR
6.4   36   4  5.4   9.0    10.0

2004

Bowling
O    R   W   Econ  Avg  SR
92  368  26  4.0  14.2  21.2
Batting
I  R  NO  R
8  24  3  4.8

Cooper's blatant self-promotion.

John is the designer and webmaster of dodgerscricket.org and masterminded the original site and the brand new design.

Dodgers Player Profiles - Simon Cousins

Simon played a little more than usual and enjoyed an excellent season, topping the bowling averages. Consistently accurate, he bowled two mammoth spells against Buckhurst Hill, taking five wickets in the second fixture to win us the match. More importantly, he bought a jug to commemorate the feat. Also fielded splendidly and showed some promise with the bat when allowed a hit. Moral of the story - getting shot by a nutter improves your creeeekit.

2006

Bowling
 O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
55   10 161 11 30.00 14.64  2.93
Batting and fielding
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
11  4  65  3  65.00  24  1  0

2005

Bowling
O     R   W   Econ  Avg   SR
8.0   30   2   3.8  15.0  24.0

2004

Bowling
O     R    W   Econ  Avg   SR
53.5  124  12  2.3   10.3  26.8
Batting
I  R  NO  Avg
4  17  1  5.7

Dodgers Player Profiles - Guy Westhead OBE

Guy has graced the Dodgers for some time, though his appearances have been less frequent in recent years due to his seniority within the Service and a bout of ill health. We hope he is able to recover fully from both. Guy has two trademarks: an inability to play forward to any delivery and the ability to hit the top of the net when we're practising at The Oval... when he's bowling. Guy has a South African cousin (Guy van der Westhead) who replaces him sporadically and famously smashed a six in a six-a-side game one year.

It has been a few seasons since the runs really flowed for Guy and he struggled at times this year. A determination to play back to everything, including long half volleys, is a contributing factor. Needs to use the close season nets to work on his techneeeeeeq and then return in 2005 as his South African alter ego Guy van Knobhurst.

Guy received an OBE in 2006 but no-one knows what for.

2006

Batting
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
10  7  31  0   4.43  16  0  0
Bowling
O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
1    0   6  0    --    --  6.00

2005

Bowling
O  R  W  Econ  Avg  SR
1  8  0  8.0   - -  - -
Batting
I  R   NO  Avg
1   4  0   4.0

2004

Bowling
O  R  W  Econ  Avg  SR
1  5  0  5.0   - -  - -
Batting
I  R   NO  Avg
7  36  0   5.1

Dodgers Player Profiles - Kim "The Cat" Matthews

There's something unique about The Cat, our 'keeper and another of the Dodgers' old guard.

Maybe it's his trademark beard or maybe it's the constant presence of his companion and our chief supporter Jude. Or maybe it's his apparent fear of wood that prevents him getting close enough to the wicket ever to effect a stumping or run out.

Either way, old Teflon Gloves is an institution. His place in the side is so secure that he has never been disciplined for his batting despite failing to follow the captain's instructions on 64 consecutive occasions.

The Cat first donned the gloves for Dodgers in 1913 and like a fine wine continues to improve with age. Now 84 and in his third benefit season, his work behind the stumps was better than ever and he took some superb catches. Also achieved the notable personal milestone of scoring 100 runs in a season for the first time, achieved in the final match against Buckhurst Hill. Continues to be loyally supported by Dodgers groupie Jude.

2006

Batting
 M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
20 11  39  6   7.80  12  8  0

2005

Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
 1    0  1   - -

2004

Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
15  108  3  9.0

Dodgers Player Profiles - Phil McBarron

Phil is the archetypal Yorkshire opening bat - stubborn, mean, technically proficient, arrogant and wouldn't score quickly unless you paid him in beer.

Rightly famed for his ability to score singles off the last ball of every over and never running more than he absolutely has to, Phil has been a fixture in the Dodgers set-up since our birth. Formerly a key member of the seam attack, his advancing years have restricted him to serving up the occasional handful of pies when we're desperate.

He's an excellent close-to-the-wicket catcher, but woe betide you if you think he's going to chase anything the trickles off the square...

Dodgers most popular player (Que? Ed.) had a steady if unspectacular season with the bat and also sneaked in with an impressive eight tailend wickets from a handful of overs (it's about knowing when to bowl: McB didn't bowl after May).

2006

Batting
 M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
18 17 401  4  30.85  77  2  0
Bowling
 O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
36.2  4 167 12 18.17 13.92  4.60

2005

Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
2   20  2   - -

McBarron's stats 2004

Bowling
O  R   W  Econ  Avg  SR
9  36  8  4.0   4.5  6.8
Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
19  396  9  39.6

Dodgers Player Profiles - Neil Priest

Priesty has been the side's premier batsman since our inception and is the only regular player to score a ton - including one in a 20-over game.

Belligerence is his byword and he gives his wicket away about as often as Benn gives money to charity.

Famous for decrepit kit and putting on more weight than his missus during her pregnancy, Neil has deputised for Cap'n Carr for the past few seasons, mainly to give him an excuse to stand at slip for the entire match.

A rare bowler these days, Neil bowls left arm spin at about twice the pace of our main seamers. Rumoured to have been a better player when he still smoked.
Vice-Captain Neil enjoyed a fine season in 2004, scoring the most runs and finishing top of the batting averages. Despite an absence of many major scores, Priesty scored consistently and had very few failures. Continues to hone in on Inzaman's world record for the highest aggregate number of hours spent standing motionless at slip, aided and abetted by Captain Carr.

2006

Batting and fielding
M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
15 15 350  8  50.00  50  2  1
Bowling
O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
3.2  0  25  0    --    --  7.51

2005

Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
2   76  2   - -

2004

Batting
I   R   NO  Avg
15  403  7  50.4
Bowling
O  R  W  Econ  Avg  SR
2  6  1  3.0   6.0  12.0

Dodgers Player Profiles - John Carr

Our esteemed leader missed a chunk of the season due to a hand injury incurred taking a catch. Managed a few decent knocks and captained the side with his usual aplomb. Became the third Dodger to pass 1,000 career runs during the season and is now just 94 wickets away from the Holy Grail. Likes an ale and will only drink lager if there is no proper beer, spirits, petrol or distilled urine.

2006

Batting and fielding
 M  I   R NO    Avg  HS Ct St
12  9  97  2  13.86  33  1  0

Bowling
O    M   R  W    SR   Avg  Econ
2    0  10  2  6.00  5.00  5.00

2005

Batting
I   R  NO  Avg
1   25  0  25.0

2004

Bowling
O  R  W  Econ  Avg  SR
1  6  0  6.0   - -  - -

Batting
I  R   NO  Avg
8  113 2   18.8