Bashers. It's Shanghainese for Cricket

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.

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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.

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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….

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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

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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.

Shanghai Cricket Club Sante Fe Premiership Champions 2009

Bashers Final Message Board

To all you Bashers out there , in all corners of the globe this page is for you.

We havent forgotten the 136 of you proud to call yourself Bashers and we know the day you have all dreamed about has come , the Bashers in the Div 1 Final ( league for those older guys !)

Let the team know you are behind them , impart a little Bashers wisdom or story.

Ex Obscurum  Cometes Lux Lucis

Out of the darkness cometh the light

The day has come !! Basher Basher Basher !

A Message from Basher # 1

Stats/Omega/Dipso

Congrats on leading the team to the final.A momentus occasion in itself and just one step to glory.

As a founding father and number 1 I have a duty to send a message to the boys so please send the message on.Of course I played in the very first game this season!

Bashers

You have achieved what no Bashers team in its long chequered history has achieved by reaching the final and now you stand ready to devour the crown.  And devour it you shall.

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SUPPORTERS CALL: Bashers CC v K2 Final

Dear All

Further to Stat’s note below, can ALL supporters interested in attending the final on Sunday please drop a comment below. I would put a rally call out there to ALL Bashers to get along and get behind the Business team this Sunday.

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Bashers Committee 2010 Registration

Dear Bashers,

With the finals only a week away and the End-of-Season Function and Hong Kong Sixes not long after that, it is time to give some thought to next year’s committee.

The Bashers Committee is an integral part of the Bashers, in charge of arranging sponsorships, procuring buses, organizing functions, purchasing kit, etc.

For 2010, the following positions are open for voting: (more…)