2024 IZ Season Report

Scheduled 31, played 27, won 11, lost 11, drawn 4, abandoned 1, cancelled 4

141 players took the field from the Club (164 last year)

Hundreds for IZ:
113 – Michael Blakiston-Houston vs Free Foresters
107* – James Todd vs Gentlemen of England
105 – Bevan Fawcett vs Eton Ramblers

5 wickets or more for IZ:
5 for 42 – Sam Boothby vs Sir John Starkey’s XI
5 for 52 – Freddie Pearce vs Duke of Norfolk’s XI
5 for 64 – Freddie Fox vs Lord Vestey’s XI

Not one of the Club’s better years, in term of results. We were pretty rusty at the start of the season, indeed it took
until June to register a win (aside of the over 40s matches, of which more later), no one scored a hundred until
Michael Blakison-Houston, against the Free Foresters on 21 July and we failed to win any of the tight games. We
were weak against the schools, too.

We are bound to have these sorts of seasons every now and again – we are an amateur club after all – so it would be
a mistake to be too downbeat or alarmed, but equally as a cricket club it would be wrong not to carry out some
analysis, which we have done. Fear not, though, there will not follow a corporate paper – enjoyment is key to our
existence – but please tolerate three bullet points, by way of a summary:

1. We have plenty of very good cricketers in the Club. We must ensure that they are playing in the key games. I
really urge those players to apply to play.

2. In general, people are not playing regularly enough – not just for IZ, but more broadly (for other clubs,
league sides or the like). We cannot expect to perform well in the more competitive games, if our players are
playing only a handful of games a summer. There are plenty of fixtures for the casual Zingaro, but he should
think twice about applying to play at Eton in April, for example, if he hasn’t been in the nets, or has not been
recently accustomed to that standard of cricket.

3. All Members of the Club, from the upper echelons of the Asylum, to the newly elected Zingaro, should see it
as their duty to propose high quality cricketers, who understand the values of wandering cricket.

There were, of course, some noteworthy performances (aside of the individuals listed above) and exciting games,
though. Three very good performances, in particular, against Lord Vestey’s XI (won), the Free Foresters (drawn) and
Earl of Carnarvon’s XI (won); some superb, last wicket rear-guard batting by Johnny Miller (35*) and Jonty Robinson
ensured a draw at Arundel and a thrilling 1 wicket victory for Sir John Starkey’s XI at Norwood Park.

Over 40s cricket continues to be very popular amongst the Half Play fraternity (and even one or two members of the
Asylum), thanks to Alasdair Maclay’s energy. Afternoon games, a serving of half volleys and cake, no grass stains on
the whites and a healthy over rate, with teenage children on hand to field if indigestion takes hold. This is great fun,
but it is not our main effort.

Our fixtures list remains strong, thanks to Fixtures Secretary Olly Langton’s resourceful stewardship: it remains a very
appealing mix of oppositions and locations, but we are always open to invitations for new fixtures and in particular
would like to tour more, even within the UK.

On to more administrative matters. Tiresome as it is, it would be wrong not to mention that the cost of playing
cricket has risen alarmingly in recent seasons, most notably the cost of match officials, and of course catering.

The Club made a substantial loss this year, which we cannot sustain indefinitely. We wish to keep match fees at a
reasonable level (currently £30, having risen last year), so we are going to ask if IZ members might consider making a
contribution – NOT a subscription, as Rule 6 of the IZ Regulations would not allow it, but a voluntary contribution,
either as a one off, or by way of standing order (the latter, unsurprisingly, is favoured by The Treasurer!). Time has
moved on since the days of IZ being invited to play and hosted at Country Houses in the Golden Age of Cricket and
we must adapt to it.

Finally, the Committee is delighted to announce that James Munro is to assume the newly-created role of IZ Cricket
Secretary with immediate effect. He will chair the Cricket Committee and be responsible for on field matters, from
Mid Off (or wherever he wishes). I will remain Secretary IZ, from a more strategic (butter fingered) Long Off.
Keep Your Temper, Keep Your Promise, Keep Your Wicket Up.

H C Steel
Secretary IZ
January 2025