Carib Beer XI vs St Martin-in-the-Fields, Regents Park,

Thursday 10th July 2025

The run in to the third heatwave of the summer set the scene for a glorious evening at the Caribs’ historic ground, Regent’s Park. For some of the more nostalgic members, it was wonderful to return to the expansive spaces, the boundary of beautifully sculpted trees, and the frisson from the roar of the lions at the neighbouring London Zoo. Other members living in SE London, however, saw it differently. They have become all too used to the undemanding journey (for them) to our main ground of the modern era in Greenwich. Even though we are only (sadly) playing the one game this season at Regent’s Park, the SE contingent arrived one after another, all with dramatic effect. They made great play of having toiled in the heat on the arduous journey as though they had all just made a solo crossing of the Arabian desert.

Unfortunately, not all of the display of limping and shuffling seemed to be for theatre. The Caribs were afflicted by more injuries than normal – feet, knees, arms, backs, you name it. Absent-mindedness added to the Caribs’ troubles. Two members had forgotten that they had said ‘yes’ on Sporteasy but cancelled just before start of play, or worse, forgot to tell us. As a result, it was too late for Mr Cordey’s two ringers – despite having been ready with kit at work that day – and we were down to nine. Last week, such was the scale of the defeat that the chastened Caribs voted for Carib Goochie as Man of the Match, who didn’t even turn up to play. He had apparently just forgotten. The alternative explanation for the fiasco of the award is that the relentless campaign engine behind Make Goochie Great Again (MGGA) has reached such a level that Goochie has completely worn down the Carib electorate, voting for him whenever his name appears on the ballot paper. Either way, the Caribs were resolved to put in a stronger performance this week.

Owing to tardy Carib arrivals, as is all too often the case, the captains agreed that the Caribs would bat first. (The electronic scoring doesn’t allow for this option, so the scorer decided to mark it down as a toss lost by the Caribs) St Martin’s started out with strong bowlers. That, combined with the worn, hard and uneven surface, undid opener Carib Bowen early on, whilst his partner, Carib Weave and the number 3, Carib Runacres (making a welcome return) and later Carib Captain Haigh found it difficult going to make headway. However, once the strong openers had been seen off, pressures eased. Carib Runacres ended his 26 not out finishing with a particularly impressive six over mid-wicket. Carib Haigh went on to make 28 not out and useful rapid innings were added by Caribs Thanawala and Holmes, to set a creditable target.

Former Carib ringer, Simon-from-Yorkshire appeared midway through the Carib innings. He is the sort of celebrity guest that the TV cameras would pick out in the crowd, whilst commentators would wax lyrical about their great achievements in the game. Sadly this week, Sky TV were taken up across the road at Lord’s for first day of the India Test. As soon as he saw the hapless Swanand, from SE London (technically now SE of London), ailing with injuries but valiantly still turning out to play, Simon-from-Yorkshire brought up an old grudge. This concerns a matter of a perfectly fair LBW decision six years ago, when he was given out on this very ground to Carib Captain Haigh’s medium pace. Just because, in years gone by, Yorkshire umpire, Dickie Bird, wouldn’t have given it out is not reason in the modern game not to give out LBWs with all that we’ve learnt from ball tracking.

As the Caribs went out to field, Carib Swanand asked for a boundary fielding position, hoping to be able to rest his injuries. Bad idea. When the captain’s back was turned and without the TV cameras in attendance, Simon-from-Yorkshire saw his opportunity to walk round to the mid-wicket boundary and start sledging the long-suffering Swanand at close range. After the captain intervened, Simon-from-Yorkshire sheepishly made his way round to the zoo end, close to the Bactrian camel enclosure to watch out the rest of the innings. To the Caribs’ surprise, the encounter seemed to do Swanand a world of good. From initially not wanting to bowl, then reluctantly agreeing to bowl an over or two of spin, instead, Swanand transformed into a man relishing the prospect of winding up the pace. He was back to form, firing in from both ends for a full spell of pressure bowling. It was just the sort of morale boost that the team needed after some heavy losses this season.

St Martin’s began their reply strongly with two unbeaten retirements at over a run a ball. St Martin’s number three, Dan Judd, also had a good innings and it took until the 13th over until the first wicket fell. St Martin’s were looking well on track to reach the total and along the way, the Caribs had picked up another injury: Carib Cordey making a sharp stop injuring his thumb. But from this point, St Martin’s run rate slowed right down. By the time we reached the last 3 overs, St Martin’s needed 20 runs to win. The pressure was on, with both the Carib quicks set to see them out. First Carib Thanawala and a solid over: a wicket and four runs. 2 overs to go, 16 needed and Carib Swanand’s final over. Fielders were alert and the over saw one of the particular highlights of the evening: a fine run out with a long distance direct hit from Carib Runacres. The combination of his lively innings and his fielding saving several prospective boundaries led Carib Runacres to a well-deserved Man of the Match award. St Martin’s made 5 and so we were set for the drama of a final over, with 11 required. Carib Thanawala returned, and despite fading light, the luminous peach-coloured ball made up for it and was sent thundering down from the zoo end. First ball, bowled. Final batter, St Martin’s Kieron comes to the crease. Despite two men back to save the four, the next ball was edged and flew at great speed over the third man boundary. 7 needed, 4 balls remaining. Dot ball and it’s starting to look like the need for further boundaries. Then Carib Thanawala has revenge for the edged boundary and bowls Kieron, meaning that fast scoring not out opener, St Martin’s Rob, is back to the crease. As it turned out, fine bowling at the death by Carib Thanawala stifled the scoring, and the Caribs ended up winners by 5 runs.

All agreed it was a fine game: great participation across the board, played in excellent spirits, together with a great finish in an evenly matched contest.

Carib Beer XI Win by 5 Runs

Scorecard