Saturday 23 June Cricket España Chairman’s XI 227-9 Sporting Alfas C.C. 229-1
ANDREW BOND MEMORIAL MATCH
The cricketer that brought the game to the Costa Blanca was remembered last Saturday with the playing of the Andrew Bond Memorial match. It was in July 1992 that Andrew Bond travelled to Malaga, which at that time was where most of the cricket in Spain was being played. Having found out how cricket had become established in that area, he returned to his home in Javea and immediately formed Javea Cricket Club.
Subsequently Andrew became a member of the Spanish Cricket Association’s Executive Council and played for the Spanish National team. In 1995 he was one of the Founders of Sporting Alfas Cricket Club, for which he played until his unexpected death on July 28th 1997 at the young age of 60. The Spanish Cricket Association considered that in recognition of his contribution to Spanish cricket it would be appropriate for a match between local cricketers to take place on an annual basis
Andrew whilst in the UK played for amongst other clubs, Alderley Edge CC in Cheshire, Milnrow in the Central Lancashire League and MCC. He was an excellent wicketkeeper and an aggressive middle order left handed batsman.
SATURDAY 23 JUNE CRICKET ESPANA XI 227-9 SPORTING ALFAS CC 229-1
Batting first the Chairman’s XI, although losing two early wickets, scored runs at a quick pace. J. Rose and Afzal looked to be setting their team on the path to an impressive total as the score was taken to 129 by the twenty-third over. However, when Afzal (45) was dismissed by Howden and Rose (56) was bowled by Grindey, only Lewis of the remaining batsmen made a worthwhile contribution. The final total reached a modest 227-9 at the end of the allotted forty overs. For Alfas, the wickets were shared amongst most of the bowlers used, with Muñoz, Grindey, Crompton and Pennick each claiming two.
The response by Alfas was electrifying as the as the total was taken to 101 in the twelfth over before Sunderland claimed the wicket of Grindey. This was to be the only success for the Chairman’s XI as Ali dispatched the ball to all corners of the ground to claim his sixth century of the season. Alfas claimed a comfortable victory by nine wickets with Ali having reached 139 and W. Ul-Rehman, who was also in good form, scoring an undefeated fifty-six.
Although Alfas won the game comfortably, it was unimportant in the context of the afternoon during which both Captains did their utmost to ensure that all players participated, and players and spectators were able to reflect upon the legacy of Andrew Bond.