Bashers. It's Shanghainese for Cricket

SCC AGM 26th November at the Le Royal Meridien

Attention all Bashers playing members:

++++TIME CHANGE++++

With the 2011 season coming to a close, it is time for the SCC’s Annual General Meeting to be able to present to the players the progress that has been made over the season, and our plans for the club moving forward. Click on the photo to download the flyer.

Please ensure that next week Saturday is marked on your calendars. (more…)

SCC Debenture from 1934

One of my colleagues whose family has some stuff in the attic from the SCC in the 20′s and 30′s gave me a copy of this debenture issued in 1934. $1000 (there were 50 of them)  paying 6% a year and redeemable in 1964. Obviously they never got their money back. Below also this photo of the Taikoo and Wayfoong teams from 1923.  Comparing photos across the years some of the money raised in 1934 clearly went towards extending the clubhouse and particularly the bar presumably at the behest of the Gentlemen. The guy in the middle in the suit is the head of HSBC who built their buiding on the Bund.

2012 EXCOM NOMINATIONS

Attention Bashers!!!!!

Below are the names of the nominated members for 2012′s committee.
Cut off date for nominees has been reached, which is today 1st November.
As there are no players running against each other, all that will be needed is the confirmation from the club members on the night of our annual dinner.

2012 Committee Nominees
President:
Tony “Bada Bing” Finnochiaro
Secretary:
Rakesh “Rock” Kumar (restanding)
Treasurer:
Andy “Tank” Scott
Club Captain:
Tom “Latex” Ash
Social Director:
Kaylan “Sinbad” D’Silva, with assistance from Gary “Pothole”Dubberley
Division 1 Skipper:
Phil “Filthy” Mildenhall
Division 2 Skipper:
Sean ‘Korean’ Malcon
Division 3 Skipper:
Jack “Dags” Sheppard

This is a strong line up and I am very confident that with these brave few who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the betterment of our club will overcome all to keep our club great.

Regards
Prez “Cranky”

1st Fifty Years of Shanghai Cricket (Part #4)

Last part of the 1914 newspaper article. Reference to concerns about ” modern decadence”  were prophetic.  The reference to men of today “manfully upholding traditions” clearly refers to the gentlemen of the Leisure. Also interesting 1st eleven standard players were excluded from playing in the League.

(more…)

The First Fifty Years of Shanghai Cricket (Part #3)

3rd part of the 1914 artcile below.  Yet more Scots. We also find out that the Leisure were not the first time to bowled out easily by schoolkids so Dags and Latex can rest easy… and judging by the scores the Leisure were not the first team to play under the heavy influence  of alcohol. Also things get going with Japan.

(more…)

The First Fifty Years of Shanghai Cricket (Pt 2)

2nd part of the same 1914 North China Herald article.  Note that Gentlemen should really not play in the heat which clearly explains the Leisure’s regular mid season slumps.  It was a (Major) Turner that started the Interport games. The Bokhara tragedy…… I wonder if the stained glass window is still here.

(more…)

50 years of Shanghai Cricket (Part 1) – from an article published in 1914

The following is the first part of an article that appeared in the North China Herald on Nov 7th 1914 to record the first 50 years of Shanghai Cricket. I am sure the guys from that era would have put on a big party for their Jubilee so I think something should be done for the 150th year. Anyway if you are Scottish you will enjoy this first part and if you are a either Irish or a Yank you may be surprised….

(more…)

Cricket Clubhouse in Shanghai 1939

Now here is a decent clubhouse befitting the gentlemen of the Leisure. Steps leading down from the bar for the batsmen to wander down on their way out to the wicket, bar properly stocked and waitered as well as decent seats to watch the proceedings from.  I can just see the likes of the Jag, Latex, Loose and Mouse sitting in the club house, blazered up,  guffawing at the proceedings on the field whilst they suck on a big fat cigars and snap their fingers at the waiter to bring over another rather large gin and tonic.

The two teams in the photo are my company Swire (Taikoo) and HSBC (Wayfoong). For just over 60 years they played an annual fixture in Shanghai until 1949 which to this day probably still makes it one of the longest running local cricket fixtures.  Also the first annual rugby match between these two “Hongs”  was played in 1912. So guess what….. as next year is 2012 it is time to mark the centenary of their first rugby game with both a rugby and cricket match between the latest generation of Taikoo and Wayfoong including what will need to be a few ringers (any Marco Polo Club members out there?).

I have also been given a lengthy press article from 1914 which gives a detailed history of the first 50 years of Shanghai cricket. When I get the time I’ll transcribe it and post it. I could not help noticing that a certain Major Turner was also a prominent figure in the early years of cricket in Shanghai, another Turner between the Wars and a Turner after the 2nd World War so clearly there has been a Shrek  or two before Basher #1

.

It seems that the first all Chinese cricket match took place in 1901 between the Rest of China and the politically incorrectly named SCC “Coolies” ……although unforunately the article does not provide clarity as to whether the SCC Coolies were the forerunners of the Hot Dogs.  One suspects they might have been.

SCC Names Dragons and Pirates Squads for HKCC Matches

The SCC has posted the Dragons and Pirates Squads for the Interport matches on Saturday and Sunday against the Hong Kong Cricket Club.

The Dragons represent the best cricketers in the SCC and are selected based on ability and as such the Dragons are the top team we can put out on the field.

The Pirates are selected to represent as many of the different clubs as possible with the intention of including players that have contributed to the SCC with their time, efforts and enthusiasm and whom may otherwise not get a chance to play for the SCC rep teams.

As mentioned earlier, it would be great if we could get as many supporters down to the SRFC to support your SCC teammates. They are representing everyone single one of us that plays cricket across the the seven clubs and three leagues. Buses depart from the Camel around 10:30 am on Saturday and 9:30 am on Sunday.