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Current Players  |  Selected Non-Current Players A-M  |  Selected Non-Current Players N-Z 

Historical MAD Numerical List  |  Tributes

 

 

A group of people in white uniforms on a field

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Current Player Profiles

(Updated to end of Season 2025)

 

 

*

 

 

“A”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#114

 

Lee Grant Ainsworth

 

Nickname:

Moaner,  Chunter,  Swear Hotline,

Whores Entail

Birthplace:

The bowels of the John Radcliffe Hospital

Debut:

2011

Match:

220

DOB:

10 / 06 / 81

Height:

5’ 11”

Type:

LH bat,  Right-arm medium,  Keeper

#1 Single:

Adam & The Ants – “Stand and Deliver”

 

 

A group of people playing cricket

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Profile: Cynical, downbeat and eternally grumpy, Lee finally made good on his word to leave his League frustrations behind and concentrate on winning The MAD POTS award for 2016, and in doing so beating someone else to the prize who deserved it more. Technically gifted with both bat and ball, despite being left-handed, he’s every inch that dependable name on the team sheet. He’s also no slouch in the field either, with a wonderful cricketing nous and a supreme gift for moaning. Scarcely a minute passes by without some barbed or disparaging comment concerning blinkered fielding positions or shitty bowling changes.

 

Form: A solid season by his own solid standards with both bat and ball, Lee’s only black mark would be his paucity of appearances for Team MAD due to the complexities of life and a myriad of other distractions. It is worth noting he performed admirably on Tour amongst all the drinking and swearing despite having to juggle the responsibility of his little son (Blake).

 

Fantasy Credentials: Always subject to popular interest in the Fantasy competition, Lee’s place in your team could be compromised by his volume of appearances (or lack thereof). It really is a case of hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Controversially, some say Lee bitches and moans more than Howarth.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

41

34

13

759

36.14

64

748

101.47

89

9

-

1

-

35 ovs

32

30

9

956

45.52

72*

1261

75.81

101

7

1

7

-

40 ovs

18

18

3

522

34.80

83

828

63.04

50

5

-

4

-

Timed

1

1

0

51

51.00

51

64

79.69

9

-

-

1

-

Other

10

10

4

274

45.67

64*

316

86.71

27

-

1

3

-

 

Totals

 

102

 

93

 

29

 

2562

 

40.03

 

83

 

3217

 

79.64

 

276

 

21

 

2

 

16

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

41

63

4

327

22

3-7

14.86

5.19

17.18

-

11

-

-

35 ovs

32

78.3

2

336

19

4-31

17.68

4.28

24.79

-

11

2

8

40 ovs

18

37

10

124

9

3-16

13.78

3.35

24.67

-

6

-

1

Timed

1

2.1

0

17

1

1-17

17.00

7.85

13.00

-

-

-

-

Other

10

25

1

139

7

4-27

19.86

5.56

21.43

-

4

-

2

 

Totals

 

102

 

205.4

 

17

 

943

 

58

 

4-27

 

16.26

 

4.59

 

21.28

 

0

 

32

 

2

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

“B”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#165

 

Paul Alexander John Bagot

 

Nickname:

Bilbo,  Banjal Adanax Oglethorpe,  Adah Gearbox Jannel Pluto

Birthplace:

Dundee. Scotland.

Debut:

2024

Match:

595

DOB:

10 / 06 / 1981

Height:

5’ 11”

Type:

LH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Adam and the Ants – “Stand and Deliver”

 

 

A group of men on a field

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Profile: Currently The MAD’s sole north of the border representative (no, he’s not Canadian), Paul literally has a tartan carpet in his office. Unusually cheerful for a MAD player – fielding between him and Lee or Spam is like being trapped in the middle of a mood spectrum – presumably a few more seasons should knock the optimism out of him. Paul is likely the only MAD player who works with radioactive material so should in theory be able to handle anything thrown at him. As a bonus, he actually knows how to play golf, so should probably be unleashed against Isis at some point.

 

Form: Thus far Paul’s few batting opportunities have largely come in gathering darkness when The MAD have needed 95 to win off 8 balls and the oppo have just brought back on their terrifying fast bowler. After snaffling a crafty 3-fer at Ewelme in 2024, Paul somehow found himself 2nd in the 2024 bowling averages – just behind Joe ‘Dwayne’ Cartwright. Appears able to catch a cricket ball, which automatically marks him out as one to watch.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Dark Scottish Horse.

 

Pithy Remark: “You’ll have had your tea then?”

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

7

5

3

10

5.00

6*

31

32.26

-

-

1

-

-

35 ovs

1

1

-

1

1.00

1

8

12.50

-

-

-

-

-

40 ovs

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

 

9

 

6

 

3

 

11

 

3.67

 

6*

 

39

 

28.21

 

0

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

7

11.4

-

92

2

1-6

46.00

7.89

35.00

-

1

-

-

35 ovs

1

6

-

32

3

3-32

10.67

5.33

12.00

-

-

-

-

40 ovs

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

9

 

17.4

 

0

 

124

 

5

 

3-32

 

24.80

 

7.02

 

21.20

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#162

 

J____ C__________ B______

 

Nickname:

Digger,  M___ B____ J__

Birthplace:

Wootton, Oxford.

Debut:

2021

Match:

541

DOB:

12 / 12 / 1994

Height:

6’ 3”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

East 17 – “Stay Another Day”

 

 

Diagram

Description automatically generatedA person in a white uniform holding a bat

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Profile: J____ quickly established himself as a permanent fixture in the team after the [then] skipper discovered he lived nearby and could drive [him to matches]. He could also bat, bowl, field, drink, have his dad sponsor the club and bring the average age of the team down quite considerably. A stellar season in 2022 was then overshadowed by his ridiculous and utterly selfish decision to relocate Down Under – I mean seriously, WTF???

 

Form: After travelling around the globe cap-in-hand, James enlisted himself for The MAD Tour to Somerset in 2024, where he rekindled people’s memories of a chap who can definitely play cricket. He didn’t set the world alight, but there were most certainly glimpses.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Please see the above. Will he return for Tour 2026 and prove a bargain buy? Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: J___ still has a really nice Aussie mullet, maaaaaaaaaaaaatttte.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

18

18

7

310

28.18

48*

310

100.00

43

2

1

-

-

35 ovs

14

13

2

307

27.91

59

438

70.01

42

-

-

1

-

40 ovs

4

4

1

205

68.33

106*

297

69.02

22

3

-

1

1

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

1

1

0

25

25.00

25

16

156.25

4

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

37

 

36

 

10

 

847

 

32.58

 

106*

 

1061

 

79.83

 

111

 

5

 

1

 

2

 

1

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

18

18

1

91

6

2-17

15.17

5.06

18.00

-

4

-

1

35 ovs

14

19

1

101

7

4-13

14.43

5.32

16.28

-

5

-

1

40 ovs

4

6

0

61

0

0-24

-

10.17

-

-

1

-

1

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

1

2

0

25

0

0-25

-

12.50

-

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

37

 

45

 

2

 

278

 

13

 

4-13

 

21.38

 

6.18

 

20.77

 

0

 

10

 

0

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#18

 

Matt Bullock

 

Nickname:

Warnie,  Beermatt,  Totem Bullwhack

Birthplace:

Solihull, Warwickshire

Debut:

1998

Match:

004

DOB:

28 / 01 / 71

Height:

5’ 10”

Type:

Keeper,  RH bat,  Right-arm leg spin

#1 Single:

Clive Dunn – “Grandad”

 

 

A group of men sitting on a couch

Description automatically generatedA group of men playing cricket

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Profile: Being the oldest serving member of the Far from the MCC, Matt’s seen the lot. As the years have ebbed by, he’s witnessed denims and doc martens replaced by whites and shiny spikes. He’s seen the club rise from the dead, move home, rebrand, move home and rebrand again. He’s experienced the tumultuous highs and the soul-destroying lows. He’s captained the team, toured the UK with the team and chaired over two decades of AGMs for the team. He’s filed the scorebooks, updated the records and written onto paper things ineffaceable. Moreover, Matt has had countless banter with nearly all of the 170 other lads and lasses who have at one time or another stood in a field with him on a Sunday or some dreamy summer evening. In short, Matthew is The MAD. Intelligent, oracular and quick witted in equal measure, the team have always eschewed a more rounded and wholesome feel with his presence, especially at the bar.

 

Form: Matt’s current form is relatively easy to establish, as he saves himself primarily for Tour and divides his time between drinking, organising drinking, stats and playing a few games.

 

Fantasy Credentials: See the above. Matt could be that bargaintacious investment that might just tip things your way, with his handy runs down the order and smart work behind the sticks.

 

Pithy Remark: Matt is to beer what Beermatt.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

78

68

4

496

7.75

30

826

60.05

60

1

9

-

-

35 ovs

105

88

15

667

9.14

35

1427

46.74

62

-

15

-

-

40 ovs

54

45

8

396

10.70

31

738

53.66

46

1

6

-

-

Timed

8

8

2

81

13.50

41*

83

97.59

6

-

1

-

-

Other

22

18

3

127

9.07

39

182

69.78

13

-

7

-

-

 

Totals

 

267

 

227

 

32

 

1767

 

9.06

 

41*

 

3256

 

54.27

 

187

 

2

 

38

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

78

35.2

0

287

13

2-14

22.08

8.12

16.31

-

11

4

5

35 ovs

105

40

1

261

14

3-12

18.64

6.53

17.14

-

44

18

5

40 ovs

54

11.3

0

76

3

2-27

25.33

6.61

23.00

-

20

3

2

Timed

8

1

0

10

1

1-10

10.00

10.00

6.00

-

3

-

-

Other

21

12.5

0

62

3

3-22

20.67

4.83

25.67

-

5

3

-

 

Totals

 

267

 

100.4

 

1

 

696

 

34

 

3-12

 

20.67

 

6.91

 

17.76

 

0

 

83

 

28

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

“C”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#89

 

Geoff (The Legend) Carter

 

Nickname:

Wood Boy,  George or any Christian name beginning with ‘G’,  Farce Forget

Birthplace:

Oxford

Debut:

2005

Match:

109

DOB:

01 / 05 / 60

Height:

6’ 0”

Type:

Keeper,  RH bat,  Right-arm lobbers

#1 Single:

Anthony Newley – “Do You Mind”

 

 

Player_Geoff_450x400_a2

 

 

 

Profile: Quirky, affable, jocular and increasingly schizophrenic, Geoff has been in and around the team’s edges for close to two decades and is now regarded as a club institution/legend. In fact, such is Geoff’s standing, he has been the focal point of nearly all the match rambles to have claimed The MAD Booker prize in recent years. A carpenter by trade, he enjoys splitting his time between being retired and watching Oxford United FC lose most weekends. Out on the field, he is both a celebrated opener and tailender, and knows no other positions in the batting order. He can also keep wicket or at least he can stand behind the stumps with some pads on. Sometimes he just stands there, bewildered, looking like he’s wandered out of a retirement home.

 

Form: …is of course temporary and class is of course permanent. Geoff has neither, though he did take his first wicket in just over a decade.

 

Fantasy Credentials: None, but he’ll be as cheap as a discounted end-of-line item in Home Bargains.

 

Pithy Remark: Anything that can go wrong is most definitely Geoff’s fault.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

96

60

14

240

5.22

30*

549

43.72

21

-

14

-

-

35 ovs

85

64

7

327

5.74

28

988

33.10

32

-

17

-

-

40 ovs

42

38

5

405

12.27

39

1050

38.57

43

-

5

-

-

Timed

1

1

0

1

1.00

1

20

5.00

-

-

-

-

-

Other

19

13

3

33

3.30

14*

111

29.73

1

1

4

-

-

 

Totals

 

243

 

176

 

29

 

1006

 

6.84

 

39

 

2718

 

37.01

 

97

 

1

 

40

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

96

16

0

152

1

1-25

152.00

9.50

96.00

-

12

3

11

35 ovs

85

3

0

30

0

0-9

-

10.00

-

-

11

3

6

40 ovs

42

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

7

3

Timed

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

-

Other

19

3.4

-

29

1

1-16

-

7.91

22.00

-

-

-

2

 

Totals

 

243

 

22.4

 

0

 

211

 

2

 

1-16

 

105.50

 

9.31

 

68.00

 

0

 

30

 

13

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#146

 

Joseph Albert Cartwright

 

Nickname:

Old Joe,  Dwayne,  Project Raw Thighs

Birthplace:

Cardiff

Debut:

2018

Match:

450

DOB:

06 / 02 / 59

Height:

5’ 9” (ish)

Type:

RH bat,  RH slow

#1 Single:

The Platters – “Sun Gets in Your Eyes”

 

 

A person looking out of a window of a train

Description automatically generatedA group of men playing cricket

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Understated, sage like, warm and engaging, Joe made his debut in 2018 after turning up to a pub dressed in whites, yet it feels like he’s been around forever, so maybe he has been, and nobody really noticed. A product of The MAD’s burgeoning Youth Academy, the sprightly Joseph has already proven his quality with the blade, looking overtly studious before unfurling straight drives over the bowler’s head to leave his audience agog. He’s definitely played at much higher levels in his past, exuding an aura at the crease akin to someone who has definitely played at higher levels in the past. It was probably in South Wales or somewhere Wales-like, because all those league teams definitely play at higher levels.

 

Form: A steady if unspectacular return for Joe last year, with several little cameos that never fleshed out into something more… well, fleshy.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Could Joe be like a fine wine in getting better with age? Maybe. So, will you take a punt on him with your Fantasy shekels to get a few cheeky runs and wickets next term? Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Joe can sing and boy can Joe sing.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

33

26

11

228

15.20

37*

275

82.91

25

-

2

-

-

35 ovs

30

24

4

338

16.90

59*

642

52.65

39

1

4

1

-

40 ovs

4

4

0

18

4.50

6

43

41.86

1

-

-

-

-

Timed

1

1

0

3

3.00

3

15

20.00

0

-

-

-

-

Other

8

6

1

107

21.40

40

152

70.39

14

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

76

 

61

 

16

 

694

 

15.42

 

59*

 

1127

 

61.58

 

79

 

1

 

6

 

1

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

33

26

0

163

7

2-18

23.29

6.27

22.29

-

4

-

2

35 ovs

30

11.2

0

93

4

3-23

23.25

8.21

17.00

-

5

-

1

40 ovs

4

2.1

1

6

1

1-6

6.00

2.77

13.00

-

-

-

-

Timed

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

-

Other

8

4

-

29

3

2-7

9.67

7.25

8.00

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

76

 

43.3

 

1

 

291

 

15

 

3-23

 

19.40

 

6.69

 

17.40

 

0

 

9

 

0

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

“D”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#98

 

Andrew John Darley

 

Nickname:

Del Boy,  Salvador,  Butthead,  Mo,

Warren Deadly,  Darned Lawyer

Birthplace:

Oxford

Debut:

2008

Match:

152

DOB:

04 / 02 / 75

Height:

6’ 3”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium fast

#1 Single:

Pilot – “January”

 

 

A person sitting at a table with a drink and a cell phone

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Profile: Enigmatic and gregariously upbeat, Andrew is one of those bubbly, larger-than-life characters who just begs your attention. Whether it be smashing stumps at absurd velocity or smashing sixes into adjoining solar systems, it’s all about IMPACT and SENSATIONALISM. A former OU officer back in the day, he is generous and eternally exuberant about everything and anything, with The MAD team sheet always looking more robust with Mr Darley’s name inked in CAPITALS on it – or – preferably his son, Morgan.

 

Form: Andy bowled beautifully whenever he played, so much so he was anointed as Most Improved at the 2025 end of season AGM. His batting never reached those heights, but he did clobber some MAD shit about whilst playing as Judas on Tour.

 

Fantasy Credentials: A conundrum for all Fantasy punters year in year out, as nobody ever really knows how good or shit Andy is going to be (including himself). He could be a diamond purchase, but he could also be a fugazi. His number of appearances is also a worry.

 

Pithy Remark: Darley loves setting a wonderful example to children on how to manage your temper.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

29

22

3

171

9.00

35*

175

97.71

26

3

5

-

-

35 ovs

59

45

7

463

12.18

53*

585

79.15

56

11

7

2

-

40 ovs

29

22

2

228

11.40

52

291

78.35

25

5

3

1

-

Timed

2

2

0

0

0.00

0

3

0.00

-

-

2

-

-

Other

10

9

2

57

8.14

20

80

71.25

8

-

3

-

-

 

Totals

 

129

 

100

 

14

 

919

 

10.69

 

53*

 

1134

 

81.04

 

115

 

19

 

20

 

3

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

29

85

6

478

16

2-2

29.88

5.62

31.88

-

7

-

1

35 ovs

59

349.1

37

1317

54

3-14

24.39

3.77

38.80

-

18

-

2

40 ovs

29

175.3

25

651

23

4-20

28.30

3.71

45.78

-

3

-

-

Timed

2

11

0

44

2

1-9

22.00

4.00

33.00

-

-

-

-

Other

10

24

0

138

5

1-15

27.60

5.75

28.80

-

3

-

1

 

Totals

 

129

 

644.4

 

68

 

2628

 

100

 

4-20

 

26.28

 

4.08

 

38.68

 

0

 

31

 

0

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

“E”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#105

 

David (not Dave) Emerson

 

Nickname:

Wonky,  Diamond,  Emo,  Varied Demons,

Mended Saviour

Birthplace:

Invercargill, Wellington. NZ

Debut:

2008

Match:

167

DOB:

09 / 04 / 76

Height:

6’ 2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Brotherhood of Man – “Save Your Kisses For Me”

 

 

A picture containing person, outdoor, person, eating

Description automatically generatedA person in white playing cricket

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Engaging, knowledgeable, deeply amusing, flawed and talented in equal measure, Kiwi Dave joined the FFTMCC back in the late noughties, juggling permanent intoxication with a rash of ducks and a swathe of match winning bowling performances. The thing is, he was actually a batsman, he always was, but nobody ever asked him, or did we? A calculator of energy use and a boot boy for the Labour militants, David’s MAD career has peaked and troughed over the years, but never been dull. Back-to-back POTS were accrued once upon a time before his body collapsed under the strain of putting some effort in. Of course, it was [then] Skipper Westmoreland’s fault, flogging him like some unloved Muriwai Beach horse or at least that was his agent’s mantra….

 

Form: After years of self-pity and hypochondria, David returned to some pomp and ceremony at Nettlebed for 2024’s finale. Striding to the wicket, chest puffed out, he was castled first ball.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and conversely it can also make your Fantasy valuation nosedive. There are always rumours of an Emerson comeback and a dynamic appearance around the corner, so would you take that outside punt? Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: David tows his static home to Thailand most winters.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

68

58

11

886

18.85

44*

736

120.38

109

4

5

-

-

35 ovs

47

41

4

434

11.73

47

562

77.22

43

2

7

-

-

40 ovs

80

65

8

839

14.72

95

923

90.90

120

4

11

2

-

Timed

4

3

2

20

20.00

14*

30

66.67

0

-

-

-

-

Other

4

4

0

46

11.50

24

41

112.20

4

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

203

 

171

 

25

 

2225

 

15.24

 

95

 

2292

 

97.12

 

280

 

10

 

23

 

2

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

68

133.1

8

689

36

3-20

19.14

5.17

22.19

-

8

-

2

35 ovs

47

174

25

702

19

2-14

36.95

4.03

54.95

-

16

-

2

40 ovs

80

468.5

75

1690

91

5-25

18.57

3.60

30.91

2

13

-

1

Timed

4

34

4

121

5

2-17

24.20

3.56

40.80

-

2

-

-

Other

4

9

0

59

1

1-38

-

6.56

54.00

-

1

1

-

 

Totals

 

203

 

819

 

112

 

3261

 

152

 

5-25

 

21.45

 

3.98

 

32.33

 

2

 

40

 

1

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

“H”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#50

 

Richard John Bingham (Thurston) Hadfield

 

Nickname:

Lord Lucan,  Diehard Filchard

Birthplace:

Balham, London

Debut:

2000

Match:

033

DOB:

01 / 07 / 70

Height:

5’ 8 & 1/2”

Type:

RH bat

#1 Single:

Mungo Jerry – “In The Summertime”

 

 

A silhouette of a person looking out of a window

Description automatically generatedA person playing cricket on a field

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Whimsical, intelligent and purely fictional, the enchanting Mr R. J. B (or is it R. J. T) Hadfield doesn’t really exist, he was a cheeky character invented at the turn of the millennium who hit a flamboyant 72 on debut. Thereafter forgotten at the pub like so many transient ideas are, the mysterious embodiment was reawakened some six years later when someone played under the name and bagged a duck. Whomever it was, they may not have stolen any headlines, but the unsolved sighting threw up the amusing nickname of Lord Lucan. Now fashionable with the pseudo intellectuals of the village cricketing commonality, talented and vertically challenged cricketers with no real club or association choose to play under the name of Hadfield whenever The MAD are short. Other requisites are wearing glasses, being glib and feigning a myriad of injuries.

 

Form: The individuals to play under the moniker of Hadfield were thin on the ground last year, mostly failing or complaining about injuries and the smell of dead nannies. However, one guy did bat all day reminding the team this mystery team selection sometimes pays dividends.

 

Fantasy Credentials: After becoming an increasingly popular pick, Richard’s Fantasy popularity might suffer due to a paucity of game time in 2025 (and a propensity for getting himself injured). His valuation will be of keen interest to many. Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Hadfield enjoys leaving his team in the plop and turning out for the Bodleian.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

44

44

14

843

28.10

44*

958

88.00

100

4

2

-

-

35 ovs

42

40

7

1100

33.33

88

1622

67.82

136

1

2

7

-

40 ovs

20

20

3

500

29.41

65*

749

66.76

68

3

3

3

-

Timed

2

2

0

18

9.00

11

36

50.00

3

-

-

-

-

Other

5

4

1

72

24.00

59*

110

65.45

7

-

-

1

-

 

Totals

 

113

 

110

 

25

 

2533

 

29.80

 

88

 

3475

 

72.89

 

314

 

8

 

7

 

11

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

44

2

0

15

0

0-15

-

7.50

-

-

9

-

2

35 ovs

42

3

0

23

1

1-23

23.00

7.67

18.00

-

12

-

1

40 ovs

20

2

0

10

1

1-10

10.00

5.00

12.00

-

9

-

1

Timed

2

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

-

-

Other

5

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

-

-

 

Totals

 

113

 

7.0

 

0

 

48

 

2

 

1-10

 

24.00

 

6.86

 

21.00

 

0

 

32

 

0

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#74

 

John Harris

 

Nickname:

Calypso,  J. Rah’s Rhino

Birthplace:

Birmingham

Debut:

2003

Match:

063

DOB:

20 / 05 / 79

Height:

6’ 0” ish

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm spin

#1 Single:

Art Garfunkel – “Bright Eyes”

 

 

A person wearing a hat and smoking a cigarette

Description automatically generated with medium confidenceA person playing cricket on a field

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

 

 

 

Profile: A keen footballer, John joined The MAD back in 2003 along with a clutch of new faces, mostly from behemoth Vodafone. He immediately fitted into the team with his laid-back and affable nature, and a perceptive and sharp wit on tap whenever required. Stylish and West Indian with the bat (hence the nickname), Mr Harris will always be remembered for taking the quite ridiculous figures of 7 for 5 against another crap pub team. A club record to this day, he even had the audacity to add a direct run out to that tally, so not a bad day out then. A half dozen years later, he was gone…. Fast forward to the future and a chance meeting in The Jude Obscure pub between lockdowns, John was badgered into dusting down his cobweb riddled kitbag and ending his twelve-year exile from the club. His welcome return at Horspath CC shattered Hadfield’s record for time elapsing between matches and it took him no time at all to realise the team he remembered (and held close to his heart) were still pretty shit.

 

Form: Since his return to the big time, John has become progressively more assured with both bat and ball, becoming integral to the team as someone who can most definitely influence a match. So much so, he won the 2024 POTS award for just that.

 

Fantasy Credentials: With the trappings of being POTS comes a higher Fantasy valuation, so would you choose to take a punt on John for 2026? He’s certainly become one of the more reliable names on the team sheet in recent times. Hmmm….

 

Pithy Remark: John likes Geoff to umpire at square leg when he nears a fifty.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

27

22

12

257

25.70

37*

342

75.15

26

1

1

-

-

35 ovs

51

41

9

647

20.22

56*

1064

60.81

77

1

2

2

-

40 ovs

15

12

3

121

13.44

33

262

46.18

16

-

3

-

-

Timed

1

1

0

4

4.00

4

6

66.67

1

-

-

-

-

Other

7

4

1

67

22.33

36

74

90.54

7

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

101

 

80

 

25

 

1096

 

19.93

 

56*

 

1748

 

62.70

 

127

 

2

 

6

 

2

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

27

71

1

506

18

5-23

28.11

7.13

23.67

1

3

-

3

35 ovs

51

206

10

1182

59

7-5

20.03

5.74

20.95

1

16

-

4

40 ovs

15

80

8

425

17

5-23

25.00

5.31

28.24

1

9

-

2

Timed

1

4

0

14

2

2-14

7.00

3.50

12.00

-

-

-

-

Other

7

24

2

153

12

4-41

12.75

6.38

12.00

-

3

-

-

 

Totals

 

101

 

385

 

21

 

2280

 

108

 

7-5

 

21.11

 

5.92

 

21.39

 

3

 

31

 

0

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#27

 

James Dunne Hoskins

 

Nickname:

JMO,  Stan (James),  Pugwash,  Uncle Albert,  Odds On,  Hoskers,  Jim(my),  ESP,

Sham Jokiness,  Shanks Emojis

Birthplace:

Home

Debut:

1999

Match:

011

DOB:

04 / 04 / 69

Height:

5’ 9”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm varied

#1 Single:

Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”

 

 

A picture containing person

Description automatically generatedA group of men playing cricket

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: JMO is a MAD institution, second only to Geoff Carter and some of the other guys who are more institutionalised. He has devoted over a third of his life to this Club and has never once asked for anything in return, which is just as well as he can bugger off. Irritatingly overly positive, energetic and fantastically eccentric, Hoskins has seen and done it all, after first being talent-spotted by a boundary drinking Stella Artois all those years ago. Since then, that passionate nature has seen him Skipper the team, organise Tours, design a wonderful Fantasy Competition, kickstart a pizza empire and spend any remaining time redesigning a house from the ground up. It’s not always been plain sailing for James, however. We remember him leaving his teammates in the shit a few years ago to go on some ridiculous, life-affirming sabbatical around the globe. I mean he took some photos and met some bird in his selfish pursuit of inner harmony, but sod that, village cricket must come first.

 

Form: James largely slipped under the radar last year, turning up on a handful of occasions to do something nobody can quite remember. He took the odd few wickets here and there, bashed some toilet in Aston Tirrold, but was largely anonymous in the field throughout.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Would you ignore Hoskins from your Fantasy computations, though? He has a very handy knack of producing a purple patch when you least expect it, and his cost might be most enticing. Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: James likes creating tailbacks on the Abingdon Road whilst negotiating his pizza van into Brasenose College Sports ground.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

91

70

12

485

8.36

35*

611

79.38

51

2

17

-

-

35 ovs

160

113

22

736

8.09

46

1191

61.80

85

1

22

-

-

40 ovs

97

75

16

455

7.71

50

847

53.72

51

1

17

1

-

Timed

12

9

4

23

4.60

10*

71

32.39

2

-

2

-

-

Other

30

23

2

140

6.67

19

191

73.30

11

1

3

-

-

 

Totals

 

390

 

290

 

56

 

1839

 

7.86

 

50

 

2911

 

63.17

 

200

 

6

 

61

 

1

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

91

249.2

6

1657

77

3-9

21.52

6.65

19.43

-

23

-

9

35 ovs

160

822.2

71

3609

159

4-22

22.70

4.39

31.03

-

43

1

8

40 ovs

97

596.2

55

2615

110

4-15

23.77

4.39

32.53

-

23

-

3

Timed

12

72

4

313

7

3-60

44.71

4.35

61.71

-

2

-

-

Other

30

85.3

4

509

29

3-5

17.55

5.95

17.69

-

2

-

2

 

Totals

 

390

 

1825.3

 

140

 

8703

 

382

 

4-15

 

22.78

 

4.77

 

28.67

 

0

 

93

 

1

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#47

 

Jake Charles William Hotson

 

Nickname:

Judge Dredd,  Tea Time,  Gumbo,

Joke Ashton,  Jonah Tokes

Birthplace:

Wales

Debut:

2000

Match:

025

DOB:

Tuesday

Height:

6’ 0”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm yips

#1 Single:

Slade – “Merry Xmas Everybody”

 

 

A person holding a bottle

Description automatically generated with low confidenceA picture containing grass, game, sport, outdoor

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Dry, acerbic and resolutely anti-establishment, Jake’s debut for The MAD can be traced right back to the millennium, where he was unlucky enough to play in the club’s first official Cup game – a resolute tonking against Stokenchurch CC. In crushing defeat, he immediately embraced the sarcastic, disjointed pissheads masquerading as teammates and signed up for some more. He’s still here of course after some 400 matches, salivating for more year on year, albeit in slightly more talented company. A deeply intelligent soul, Mr Hotson likes nothing better than advanced compound algebraic calculations, deeply coded web design, zany music compilations and directing tirades of abuse at 21st century society and Tory politicians.

 

Form: Reliable behind the sticks with the gloves, Jake has had a pleasing availability throughout most recent seasons. Not so assured with the bat, he can still stick around long enough to watch his teammates make an arse of themselves.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Another in the category of “might be an excellent cheap option” for 2026, until you realise JMO’s Fantasy computations have made Jake more expensive than an upcoming IPL star….

 

Pithy Remark: Jake is a keen advocate of WhatsApp and enjoys fighting with boiling kettles.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

130

93

21

455

6.32

26

784

58.04

37

-

21

-

-

35 ovs

156

114

22

488

5.30

24

1665

29.31

31

-

22

-

-

40 ovs

81

68

14

336

6.22

24*

1160

28.97

19

-

15

-

-

Timed

8

7

2

8

1.60

3

36

22.22

-

-

2

-

-

Other

26

15

1

70

5.00

13

148

47.30

5

-

3

-

-

 

Totals

 

401

 

297

 

60

 

1357

 

5.73

 

26

 

3793

 

35.78

 

92

 

0

 

63

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

130

25

0

211

6

1-6

35.17

8.44

25.00

-

23

14

9

35 ovs

156

46

3

241

12

5-28

20.08

5.24

23.00

1

41

10

3

40 ovs

81

8

0

83

1

1-40

83.00

10.38

48.00

-

15

5

1

Timed

8

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

1

-

Other

26

9

0

86

1

1-6

86.00

9.56

54.00

-

1

2

2

 

Totals

 

401

 

88.0

 

3

 

621

 

20

 

5-28

 

31.05

 

7.06

 

26.40

 

1

 

82

 

32

 

15

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

#77

 

Ian Howarth

 

Nickname:

Spam,  Tiny,  Scotch,  George,  Flake,

Hanoi Wrath,  Noah Wraith

Birthplace:

Oldham, Lancashire

Debut:

2003

Match:

067

DOB:

09 / 03 / 71

Height:

5’ 9 & 1/2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Mungo Jerry – “Baby Jump”

 

 

A person wearing a mask

Description automatically generated with low confidenceA person playing a game of baseball

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Where to start? Fixture sorting junkie, cider slurping tart, cob tossing, sweary, flaming ball of whinging rage, Spam is MAD made flesh. Sarcastic to the point where his own fielding has become ironic, along with Lee Ainsworth, Spam is one of the club’s great moaners. He claims to play bowling based ‘on length’ but given this would imply he actually bothers to watch the ball this is a suspect contention. Joking aside, Spam is approaching 10,000 runs for the club, but was much more concerned about twatting 100 sixes for the club, which kind of explains his approach to batting and life in general. This very website is the Ulysses of amateur cricket, truly labyrinthine in style and scope; The MAD have truly been blessed by Spam’s OCD tendencies. There are many good reasons why this wonderful club has kept going for over 25 years, and Spam is very much one of them.

 

Form: After grossly underperforming in recent seasons, Ian suddenly clicked in 2025 (at least with the bat). Nobody is or was quite sure as to the why (including him), so maybe he suffered a bang on the head at some point, and the haemorrhaging reset his cricketing nous in some way? Very odd and how very welcome.

 

Fantasy Credentials: After last season’s obvious overachievement, Spam’s Fantasy value will have ballooned as a result – BUT – does lightning ever strike twice? Does it or even can it? Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Always a pleasant surprise to everyone when Spam makes it back home safely.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

147

125

47

2173

27.86

59*

2030

107.04

268

29

6

4

-

35 ovs

175

158

30

4258

33.27

112

4752

89.60

577

39

12

28

1

40 ovs

118

113

7

2768

26.11

109*

3368

82.19

387

25

10

17

1

Timed

10

11

0

324

29.45

58

426

76.06

47

3

-

2

-

Other

28

20

6

410

29.29

51*

406

100.99

50

5

1

1

-

 

Totals

 

478

 

427

 

90

 

9933

 

29.47

 

112

 

10982

 

90.45

 

1329

 

101

 

29

 

52

 

2

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

147

322.4

10

1912

87

5-5

21.98

5.93

22.25

1

16

-

14

35 ovs

175

410

35

2077

87

4-17

23.87

5.07

28.28

-

39

-

12

40 ovs

118

260.4

16

1300

63

4-16

20.63

4.99

24.83

-

32

-

8

Timed

10

19

3

98

4

2-18

24.50

5.16

28.50

-

5

-

-

Other

28

74.4

3

486

14

2-2

34.71

6.51

32.00

-

8

-

1

 

Totals

 

478

 

1087

 

67

 

5873

 

255

 

5-5

 

23.03

 

5.40

 

25.58

 

1

 

100

 

0

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

“M”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#110

 

Patrick Anthony Seymour Mellor

 

Nickname:

KFC,  Paddy,  Mortal Prickle,

Triple Armlock

Birthplace:

London

Debut:

2010

Match:

199

DOB:

08 / 04 / 78

Height:

6’ 2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm military gloop

#1 Single:

Brian & Michael – “Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs”

 

 

A person holding a golf club

Description automatically generated with low confidence

 

 

 

Profile: Gratifyingly charismatic and comedic, Paddy’s engaging humour has rubbed off on many of his teammates over the years. On signing up, he was immediately popular with the hardened pissheads at the Club, where many enticing layers were to be discovered under that glitzy pink golf visor of his… not least his ability to eat an entire roast dinner pre-match using just his fingers (see nickname). Forever synonymous with organising THAT doomed Tour to f______ T______, Mr Mellor has at one point or another turned his hand to most things, other than running between the wickets with any haste. His burgeoning MAD portfolio is underscored with a childlike enthusiasm he has thrown at being Social Secretary, Tour Secretary, Audley Ducks Fixture Secretary, non-forthcoming Tour Coach Organiser and Bastard Fines Chairman.

 

Form: In recent times there has been a complete paucity of cricketing appearances due to relocation, job changes and life changes, with his last six MAD innings resulting in scores of 0, 0, 0, 0, 0* and, erm… 0. But form is temporary as you know, just ask Geoff.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Paddy will be cheap. He’ll always be real cheap. But how cheap is cheap? Over to you, JMO….

 

Pithy Remark: Paddy still rejoices in the Tour story of clobbering David Emerson all over Weston-Super-Mare and breaking his soul.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

30

30

1

241

8.31

34

364

66.21

26

-

7

-

-

35 ovs

8

8

1

85

12.14

41

150

56.67

7

-

2

-

-

40 ovs

24

22

0

105

4.77

17

298

35.23

10

-

5

-

-

Timed

1

1

0

5

5.00

5

25

20.00

-

-

-

-

-

Other

4

4

1

16

5.33

9

32

50.00

1

-

1

-

-

 

Totals

 

67

 

65

 

3

 

452

 

7.29

 

41

 

869

 

52.01

 

44

 

0

 

15

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

30

13.1

0

122

5

2-13

24.40

9.27

15.80

-

4

-

2

35 ovs

8

2

0

12

1

1-7

12.00

6.00

12.00

-

2

-

-

40 ovs

24

2

0

23

0

0-23

-

11.50

-

-

6

-

1

Timed

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

-

Other

4

3

0

23

1

1-23

23.00

7.67

18.00

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

67

 

20.1

 

0

 

180

 

7

 

2-13

 

25.71

 

8.93

 

17.29

 

0

 

12

 

0

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

“N”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#167

 

Joe E. Nickel

 

Nickname:

Average Joe, Coney, Wizbit, Ninety

Eel In Jock, Elk John Spice, Johns Epic Elk

Birthplace:

Burton-on-Trent

Debut:

2025

Match:

641

DOB:

- / - / -

Height:

5’ 8”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

n/a

 

 

A person sitting on a chair

AI-generated content may be incorrect.A group of men playing cricket

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

 

 

 

Profile: Much like the best coffee, Joseph Nickel is intense, rich, and tends to lead you towards hyperactivity. Favoured with one of the loudest laughs known to mankind, Joe is serious about his cricket and banter in equal measure. A medium roast bowler of nagging length, he has the ability to pick up regular wickets and build a solid innings in the middle to lower order. A former stockbroker (apparently) from the Big City (allegedly), he has played for a number of teams since his departure from both Oxford and the esteemed position of University Offices Captain, in around 2009. Having moved back to Oxfordshire in 2024, he now manages projects with gusto, whether at work or organising top-up players for other teams. Since discovering many of his former Offices teammates had found salvation in The MAD ranks, Joe naturally felt in dire need of the same spiritual nourishment.

 

Form: Trusted with the new ball on several occasions, Joe repaid his skippers in his debut season with some handy wickets. It augurs well and he can certainly bat given a bit of luck.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Joe is going to be one of those intriguing Fantasy picks that might well glue your little team together. He’ll certainly play a few games unless injured or suffering from a tenth dose of Covid. Depends on the cost. Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: It is impossible for Joe to balance a book on his head.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

3

2

2

33

-

21*

28

117.86

4

-

-

-

-

35 ovs

8

8

3

45

9.00

16

77

58.44

5

-

1

-

-

40 ovs

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

 

11

 

10

 

5

 

78

 

15.60

 

21*

 

105

 

74.29

 

9

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

3

9

1

55

3

1-15

18.33

6.11

18.00

-

-

-

-

35 ovs

8

51

7

246

7

2-17

35.14

4.82

43.71

-

1

-

-

40 ovs

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

 

11

 

60

 

8

 

301

 

10

 

2-17

 

30.10

 

5.02

 

36.00

 

-

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

“P”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#107

 

James William Pearson

 

Nickname:

Fattori,  Fats,  JP,  Josser Apeman,

Eamon Jaspers

Birthplace:

Bath

Debut:

2010

Match:

192

DOB:

06 / 07 / 79

Height:

5’ 9 & 1/2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Tubeway Army – “Are Friends Electric”

 

 

A person swinging a bat

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

 

 

 

Profile: Astute, droll and eternally smug, James can mostly be found in a dreamlike, sedentary state around the team’s edges. When he isn’t sick or comatose or in a catatonic torpor, he’s diligently surveying proceedings through those Daniel Vettori spectacles of his, eschewing his dulcet witticisms before heading out to bat to save the team’s blushes. Since impressing his new teammates with 0 not out on debut, Corporal Pearson abseiled up The MAD batting order to win the prestigious ‘Performance’ Trophy in 2014… with an unbeaten ton against perennial rivals Isis CC. But to bracket James as purely a seasoned opener would to do a disservice to him, particularly when he’s awake. He’s also more than useful in the field and his many wickets almost always go unnoticed, apart from recently because nobody else really takes any.

 

Form: Having firmly established himself as a dependable run machine and general all-rounder, James selfishly decided on starting a family a few years ago. Against this backdrop of other demands, he still found time in 2025 to demonstrate his dependableness, make wry moany commentary and park his car on the groundsman’s front lawn.

 

Fantasy Credentials: With his spare time now at a premium, it would be easy to look past James as that bargain Fantasy gem. That might well be to your detriment… but, of course, it all depends on what he might cost? So, over to you JMO….

 

Pithy Remark: James keeps a deckchair in his kit bag.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

92

81

28

1163

21.94

42

1273

91.36

135

13

5

-

-

35 ovs

73

72

9

1886

29.94

84

2713

69.54

220

11

7

13

-

40 ovs

58

56

8

1201

25.02

113*

2153

55.78

124

10

9

9

1

Timed

4

3

-

15

5.00

7

50

30.00

1

-

-

-

-

Other

11

11

2

248

27.56

78*

282

87.94

30

-

1

1

-

 

Totals

 

238

 

223

 

47

 

4513

 

25.64

 

113*

 

6470

 

69.75

 

510

 

34

 

22

 

23

 

1

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

92

207

3

1157

60

4-16

19.28

5.59

20.70

-

15

1

8

35 ovs

73

185

18

832

37

3-23

22.49

4.50

30.00

-

24

-

11

40 ovs

58

209.1

28

831

50

5-20

16.62

3.97

25.10

1

26

-

4

Timed

4

16

2

77

5

3-27

15.40

4.81

19.20

-

3

-

1

Other

11

29

0

176

5

1-4

35.20

6.07

34.80

-

5

-

2

 

Totals

 

238

 

646.1

 

51

 

3073

 

157

 

5-20

 

19.57

 

4.76

 

24.69

 

1

 

73

 

1

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#166

 

John Stephen Pyrah

 

Nickname:

Pyrotechnic,  Big Tuna,  Phat Herpes Johnny,  Hash Prophet Jenny

Birthplace:

Leicester

Debut:

2024

Match:

617

DOB:

25 / 07 / 82

Height:

6’ 2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Dexys Midnight Runners – “Come on Eileen”

 

 

A person wearing sunglasses and a hat holding a can

Description automatically generatedA person playing cricket on a field

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: John is a relative newcomer The MAD, arriving to no great fanfare from Leicester City in a move brokered by Mike Ashley and his deputy Anders Darlson. Whilst being obviously proficient at football, he would seem to be no mug when it comes to cricket. Being handy with both bat with ball, he at the very least looks a few levels above the surfeit of crap around him. Insouciant, wry and very easy company, Mr Pyrah has fitted easily into the club ethics from Day 1. So much so, he’s even blooded his young lad, Toby, who it must be said, already looks several skillsets above his dad.

 

Form: Having ably demonstrated his all-round capabilities; John seemed to struggle to click into gear in 2025. He bowled with aplomb, but never found his stride with a bat in his hand. He’ll come good, he’s too good not to.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Given Mr Pyrah Snr’s struggle with the willow last year, it might be he becomes a very enticing Fantasy pick in 2026 due to a moderate valuation for an obvious talent. A very BIG hmm with this fella….

 

Pithy Remark: Being a mate of Darley, he naturally adheres to suffering bouts of mental oblivion.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

10

8

2

93

15.50

32

121

76.86

13

-

1

-

-

35 ovs

7

7

-

50

7.14

41

94

53.19

4

-

4

-

-

40 ovs

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

2

2

-

29

14.50

14

47

61.70

2

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

19

 

17

 

2

 

172

 

11.47

 

41

 

175

 

65.65

 

19

 

0

 

5

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

10

21

-

126

5

2-14

25.20

6.00

25.20

-

4

-

-

35 ovs

7

27

3

84

3

1-12

28.00

3.11

54.00

-

3

-

1

40 ovs

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

2

1

-

9

-

0-9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

19

 

49

 

3

 

219

 

8

 

1-12

 

27.38

 

4.47

 

36.75

 

0

 

7

 

0

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

“R”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#93

 

Michael Keith Reeves

 

Nickname:

Cloughie,  Ol’ Big Head,  Reevsie,

Seamer Vehicle

Birthplace:

Chatham, Kent

Debut:

2006

Match:

119

DOB:

04 / 10 / 68

Height:

5’ 9 & 1/2”

Type:

LH bat,  Left-arm medium

#1 Single:

Mary Hopkins – “Those Were The Days”

 

 

A person holding a glass of wine

Description automatically generatedA person throwing a ball

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Intelligent, tenebrous and astringent, Mike is the numerically proficient Club Bean Counter. He also doesn’t give a shit what your predicament is or when you sadly lost your dead end job… just pay your subs or bugger off. He joined the Far from the MCC back in the middle noughties when his former pub team no longer had a pub and actually had no players either. Reevsie immediately fitted in, enjoying a tipple or three and being richly imbued in cynicism and sarcasm. Talented in all cricketing departments, Ol’ Big Head has proved himself reminiscent of a fine wine in recent years, seemingly getting better with age. He received recognition of this fact in 2024, by scooping the Performance award having completed a famous run chase against bitter rivals Isis CC.

 

Form: Was season 2025 the outlier for Mr Reliable? For whatever reason, Mike never hit his straps until the team went on Tour to Somerset, whereby the old Reevsie returned to whack some leather about. An odd year, where even the ball avoided him most of the time.

 

Fantasy Credentials: After an ignominious season last time out, Mike’s Fantasy valuation might prompt a considerable percentage of the team into backing him in 2026 due to a rapidly shrinking valuation. Hmm……

 

Pithy Remark: Mike’s regularly holidays to America to witness gun massacres.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

138

115

42

1378

18.88

54*

1487

92.67

174

16

12

2

-

35 ovs

134

104

25

1257

15.91

52

1774

70.86

158

13

12

2

-

40 ovs

93

78

17

1244

20.39

85

1807

68.84

169

7

5

3

-

Timed

5

5

0

58

11.60

19

102

56.86

9

-

-

-

-

Other

25

16

7

126

14.00

32*

153

82.35

15

4

3

-

-

 

Totals

 

395

 

318

 

91

 

4063

 

17.90

 

85

 

5323

 

76.33

 

525

 

40

 

32

 

7

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

138

370.4

15

1957

95

4-14

20.60

5.28

23.41

-

34

-

11

35 ovs

134

671.2

69

2932

117

5-29

25.06

4.37

34.43

1

52

-

5

40 ovs

93

447

38

1883

79

5-12

23.84

4.21

33.95

2

25

-

5

Timed

5

31.4

7

86

8

5-28

10.75

2.72

23.75

1

1

-

-

Other

25

72.1

3

400

18

2-3

22.22

5.54

24.06

-

8

-

2

 

Totals

 

395

 

1592.5

 

132

 

7258

 

317

 

5-12

 

22.90

 

4.56

 

30.15

 

4

 

120

 

0

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#109

 

Christopher David Roberts

 

Nickname:

Tall Bob,  Lennie,  Christs Rober,

Brothers Rectorship

Birthplace:

Oxford

Debut:

2010

Match:

195

DOB:

03 / 07 / 75

Height:

6’ 5 & 1/2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

10CC – “I’m Not In Love”

 

 

A person throwing a frisbee

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: An amiable and genial giant, the congruent Mr Roberts is much akin to a loveable Great Dane – quietly and obediently performing whatever role he’s given. Unperturbed by results, tantrums and the hysteria that surrounds him, this cordial and happy chappy just enjoys getting on with his sport with a smile on his face. Truth be told, if we could bottle his DNA and sell it on to the discordant Middle East we would. Problem solved. In recent times, Bob has experienced a metamorphosis from hobbyist Kennel Club entrant to Crufts Best of Breed. He’s always been useful in the field with that howitzer of an arm, but his bowling has come on exponentially seeing him morph into that towering threat we always knew he could be. If there could be a criticism, it is he can sometimes have his head in the clouds [sic].

 

Form: After his infamous head-injury on Tour to Brighton in 2021, Bob has slowly assimilated back into MAD ranks and now offers an excellent counselling service for any teammates who tread the tightrope between life and death. A bits and pieces season last time out, with the occasional flourish with the bat.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Bob’s generally a hard one to quantify, as he can suddenly come into focus with a clutch of quick wickets, catches or runs. JMO generally has his work out pricing Mr Roberts. Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Bob loves cancelling or cutting short Tour due to a myriad of reasons out of his control.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

120

86

12

383

5.18

32*

527

72.68

42

3

21

-

-

35 ovs

78

44

16

266

9.50

20*

296

89.86

39

-

12

-

-

40 ovs

66

43

14

138

4.76

13*

251

54.98

15

-

8

-

-

Timed

1

1

-

0

0.00

0

3

0.00

-

-

1

-

-

Other

13

8

2

38

6.33

8*

54

70.37

3

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

278

 

182

 

44

 

825

 

5.98

 

32*

 

1131

 

72.94

 

99

 

3

 

42

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

120

335

8

2095

63

4-26

33.25

6.25

31.90

-

19

-

7

35 ovs

78

412.4

23

2053

58

3-32

35.40

4.97

42.69

-

13

-

9

40 ovs

66

339.1

19

1638

59

3-9

27.76

4.83

34.49

-

15

-

4

Timed

1

5

0

28

1

1-28

28.00

5.60

30.00

-

-

-

-

Other

13

52

3

333

7

2-18

47.57

6.40

44.57

-

2

-

2

 

Totals

 

278

 

1143.5

 

53

 

6147

 

188

 

4-26

 

32.70

 

5.37

 

36.51

 

0

 

49

 

0

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#117

 

Mark Simon Rundle

 

Nickname:

Psycho,  Pyscho (original misspelling),

Drunk Lamer,  Klan Murder

Birthplace:

Oxford

Debut:

2010

Match:

223

DOB:

27 / 01 / 68

Height:

6’ 0”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm trundler

#1 Single:

Georgie Fame – “The Ballad of Bonnie And Clyde”

 

 

A person licking a large ice cream cone

Description automatically generatedA group of men playing a game of baseball

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Cerebral and acidic, Mr Rundle brought a thoroughly intimidating nickname to The MAD at the start of the last decade. On first impression, he seems unexpectedly mild-mannered, basking in an aura of calm and quiet understanding. But like all classically misaligned nutjobs, do not underestimate the calculating, malevolent wanker who lurks underneath. A peripheral figure in the beginnings, Psycho has slowly become a recognised name on the team sheet, simply playing when and where he wants… and if you don’t like it, you can just… well, you know. Mark has suffered in recent years from a myriad of aches and pains, but went one better in 2022 by managing to die on the field. Thankfully for him (and us) there were angels in the vicinity, so he lived to bag a duck another day.

 

Form: Having arisen from the grave, Mark resumed his mastery of sauntering in to deliver that indescribable shite that bags him a whole bunch of wickets. Last year was entirely predictable in that he suffered a usual smorgasbord of injuries, but still recovered in time to bag the most MAD wickets. As is his want.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Psycho will be an interesting purchase if the price is right, but then that could be said for everybody else, right? His value for Fantasy yuan is correlated to his fitness and being free from injuries and the morgue. Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Psycho considers Bob’s near-fatal head injury a light scratch.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

68

44

16

304

10.86

32*

542

56.09

28

-

5

-

-

35 ovs

81

50

18

292

9.13

19

711

41.07

30

-

9

-

-

40 ovs

35

21

8

104

8.00

20*

282

36.88

11

-

1

-

-

Timed

1

1

0

5

5.00

5

12

41.67

1

-

-

-

-

Other

18

10

4

113

18.83

31*

119

94.96

12

3

2

-

-

 

Totals

 

203

 

126

 

46

 

818

 

10.23

 

32*

 

1666

 

49.10

 

82

 

3

 

17

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

68

202

7

1195

41

3-5

29.15

5.92

29.56

-

9

-

1

35 ovs

81

443.4

46

2014

88

4-19

22.89

4.54

30.25

-

18

-

3

40 ovs

35

175.2

23

733

31

3-12

23.65

4.18

33.94

-

9

-

1

Timed

1

6

2

10

0

0-10

-

1.67

-

-

-

-

-

Other

18

58

6

309

5

1-12

61.80

5.33

69.60

-

2

-

-

 

Totals

 

203

 

885

 

84

 

4261

 

165

 

4-19

 

25.82

 

4.81

 

32.18

 

0

 

38

 

0

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

“S”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#96

 

Dave Shorten

 

Nickname:

Lego,  Hang Time,  Bertie,  Short Invaded,

Divas Throned

Birthplace:

Poringland, Norfolk

Debut:

2006

Match:

130

DOB:

19 / 09 / 71

Height:

5’ 10”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

The Tams – “Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me”

 

 

A person wearing a white uniform and holding a bat

Description automatically generated with low confidence

 

 

 

Profile: One of life’s true good guys, apart from when he isn’t berating his teammates for being shit. Lego, as he’s affectionately known, is the only MAD member to own their own wood and holds the record for both the longest and shortest time taken to write a Match Ramble. Dave’s colourful contributions to FFTMCC folklore also include enlisting his teammates in a doomed 5-a-side competition, organising a winter fitness regime with the army, a successful climb of Mount Everest in his underpants and the launch of his own book ‘A Winner’s Guide to Poker’. In short, Mr Shorten is an archetypal example of that perfectly eccentric, amicable, and loyal English gentleman who makes us all feel a little bit better about ourselves. Aside from doing the earthy things in life, like eating real honey, holding wood clearing parties and appearing on BBC TV reality programs, Dave’s infectious enthusiasm is integral to Team MAD.

 

Form: Still a pivotal player within the team, David has the ability to change the dynamic of a match with both bat and ball. Some wonderful slogs knocks in recent years have been complemented by great spells with the ball to further underscore his importance. He also catches a ball unlike the majority of his teammates.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Being one of the club’s more talented players when he isn’t being crap, Lego will always cost a good few a few fantasy dollars, so punters need to carefully do their maths. We naturally await the JMO valuation with a keen eye….

 

Pithy Remark: David enjoys pushing Spam out the way to take his simple outfield catches. 

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

127

118

31

1745

20.06

73*

1437

121.43

226

48

13

1

-

35 ovs

86

73

11

1074

17.32

71*

1319

81.43

146

15

8

2

-

40 ovs

53

47

8

823

21.10

103*

1056

77.94

100

20

4

1

1

Timed

3

3

0

25

8.33

16

61

40.98

3

-

1

-

-

Other

21

17

3

223

15.93

47

219

101.83

28

9

4

-

-

 

Totals

 

290

 

258

 

53

 

3890

 

18.98

 

103*

 

4092

 

95.06

 

503

 

92

 

30

 

4

 

1

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

127

318.4

19

1693

83

4-4

20.40

5.31

23.04

-

40

1

19

35 ovs

86

420.2

62

1542

73

4-7

21.12

3.67

34.55

-

34

-

9

40 ovs

53

316.2

46

1161

47

4-14

24.70

3.67

40.38

-

12

-

2

Timed

3

14

1

60

1

1-28

60.00

4.29

84.00

-

1

-

-

Other

21

60

1

271

8

2-6

33.88

4.52

45.00

-

6

-

-

 

Totals

 

290

 

1129.2

 

129

 

4727

 

212

 

4-4

 

22.30

 

4.19

 

31.96

 

0

 

93

 

1

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

“T”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#112

 

Gareth John Timms

 

Nickname:

Noah,  Anatidaephobe,  Gazza,  Gary Oakey,

Grimmest Hat,  Gemma Thirst

Birthplace:

Bristol

Debut:

2010

Match:

211

DOB:

15 / 12 / 81

Height:

5’ 8 & 1/2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm leg spin

#1 Single:

Human League – “Don’t You Want Me”

 

 

A person drinking water from a bottle

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

 

 

 

Profile: Perceptive, enthusiastic and highly convivial, Gary was immediately recognised as having the necessary qualities for leadership, particularly in lieu of the clowns who led before him. To the uninitiated, a casually sarcastic and insouciant character belied a notable IQ and rich appreciation of this often-bewildering sport. He made an instant splash as T20 Supremo following an undemocratic coup to remove Mr Hotson, and his rapid ascent of seniority continued unabated to become The Captain of The MAD ship for many many years (until he wasn’t). His commitment always been unwavering, making himself available for pretty much every game unless he’s on holiday or at Glastonbury, so maybe his commitment isn’t that great after all? Happy to stand in the cricketing mud in freezing wind and rain, he’s also happy to stand in the pub, outside the pub or simply lie unconscious on a beach or a park bench.

 

Form: Gary enjoyed a pretty decent season last time out, hitting his first MAD fifty and securing the second largest of haul of wickets with the ball. He also refused to moan and grumble despite his company.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Always an alluring Fantasy proposition, but one whose popularity is rather governed by the Aussie dollars involved in his purchase. Now confident with the bat, always nabs wickets, even with shite. Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Gary likes taking twenty years to pass his driving test, and a further twenty to buy a car.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

142

107

28

712

9.01

35*

946

75.26

88

2

23

-

-

35 ovs

111

81

22

673

11.41

54*

996

67.57

73

1

14

1

-

40 ovs

64

51

13

352

9.26

45

483

72.88

45

-

8

-

-

Timed

3

3

0

3

1.00

3

9

33.33

-

-

2

-

-

Other

15

12

4

112

14.00

27*

132

84.85

12

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

335

 

254

 

67

 

1852

 

9.90

 

54*

 

2566

 

72.17

 

198

 

3

 

47

 

1

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

142

386.4

14

2478

109

5-4

22.73

6.41

21.28

1

16

-

13

35 ovs

111

531.2

29

3128

108

4-29

28.96

5.89

29.52

-

22

-

6

40 ovs

64

344.2

16

1662

77

4-17

21.58

4.83

26.83

-

17

-

5

Timed

3

16.3

2

56

4

2-18

14.00

3.39

24.75

-

-

-

-

Other

15

39

1

339

5

2-40

67.80

8.69

46.80

-

2

-

1

 

Totals

 

335

 

1317.5

 

62

 

7663

 

303

 

5-4

 

25.29

 

5.81

 

26.10

 

1

 

59

 

0

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#122

 

Russell Paul Turner

 

Nickname:

Homer,  Mystic Meg,  Mike Ashley,

Runlets Rulers,  Sells Nurturer

Birthplace:

Maidenhead

Debut:

2012

Match:

258

DOB:

17 / 10 / 65

Height:

5’ 9 & 1/2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm pies

#1 Single:

Ken Dodd – “Tears”

 

 

A person sitting at a table

Description automatically generatedA picture containing outdoor, sport, game, grass

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Current Skipper and supreme Club Man, Russ Turner has also never been seen in the same room as Mike Ashley. Or Homer Simpson. Russ is an unfailingly cheerful and generous bloke, but definitely tactically suspect as, despite overwhelmingly strong mathematical evidence showing that the FFTMCC win more when they bat first, Russ’s preferred tactic, particularly on baking hot days against youthful opposition, is always to take to the field regardless and get an absolute hammering. He also has an unusual approach to team motivation. One recent season saw an unusually lengthy (even for The MAD) run of losses and Russ shrewdly offered to buy the team a drink if we managed to win the next one. We didn’t, but Russ did anyway, sending a beautifully mixed message.

 

Form: One of the few opponents W&B fear at the between innings break. Russ is one the great trenchermen of cricket teas – at this level, he’s a class above.

 

Fantasy Credentials: An adhesive and selfless top order bat, Russ is a pretty safe pick who tends to play a lot of games. Also, a very occasional purveyor of some of the most succulent pies seen since Sweeney Todd was active, and occasionally a handy ‘keeper to boot.

 

Pithy Remark: Mr Timms took less time in passing his driving test than Russ has taken to move and settle into his new home.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

135

115

42

1640

22.47

52*

2292

71.55

147

1

8

1

-

35 ovs

118

107

13

1514

16.11

63

3011

50.28

140

-

10

2

-

40 ovs

58

57

4

962

18.15

71

1791

53.71

93

1

5

4

-

Timed

1

1

0

18

18.00

18

36

50.00

2

-

-

-

-

Other

21

19

8

220

20.00

32*

411

53.53

11

1

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

333

 

299

 

67

 

4354

 

18.77

 

71

 

7541

 

57.74

 

393

 

3

 

23

 

7

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

135

57.5

-

508

14

2-9

36.29

8.78

24.79

-

34

1

7

35 ovs

118

37.5

-

257

8

1-10

32.13

6.79

28.38

-

28

1

8

40 ovs

58

5

-

31

2

2-31

15.50

6.20

15.00

-

15

-

2

Timed

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

21

9

-

52

-

0-15

-

5.78

-

-

3

-

1

 

Totals

 

333

 

109.4

 

0

 

848

 

24

 

2-9

 

30.71

 

7.73

 

27.42

 

0

 

80

 

2

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

“V”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#141

 

Cornelius Johannes Vermaak

 

Nickname:

Corne,  Kolpak,  Uncover Malarkies,

Cavernous Armlike

Birthplace:

Witbank, South Africa

Debut:

2017

Match:

421

DOB:

02 / 12 / 79

Height:

6’ 0”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Dr Hook – “When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman”

 

 

A person sitting on the grass

Description automatically generatedA person playing a game of baseball

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Upbeat and jovially enthusiastic, Cornelius’ debut for The MAD really was a baptism of fire. Answering a plea for players for a double weekender in June, he found himself dropped behind alcoholic lines to fend off a touring Battisford team. He equipped himself well, showcasing a willingness to bowl as a total of 300 loomed, and a willingness to bat as if the target needed chasing in less than ten overs. Actually, subsequent visits to the crease suggest that is how he plays anyway…. Mr Vermaak is now an integral part of Team MAD, especially when he makes himself available. He’s most welcome too, as he seems at odds with our country’s view that there aren’t any nice South Africans. Corne is definitely nice, maybe too nice, all a façade to hide the real him, the man who fled his homeland following a spate of serial killings in the Highveld of Mpumalanga?

 

Form: Only a handful of appearances or so last term would make it difficult to substantiate the form of Mr Vermaak. When he did play, he bowled with the usual purpose after that ten-minute delay between deliveries. He also batted to prove he can’t.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Another of those cheap Fantasy acquisitions who could tip things your way, especially when he produces one of those excellent spells of bowling, we all know he’s (more than) capable of. Over to you, JMO….

 

Pithy Remark: Corne gets angry when his teammates give him directions to fictional grounds.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

26

12

1

37

3.36

18

72

51.39

2

1

4

-

-

35 ovs

37

16

5

76

6.91

19*

125

60.80

9

1

-

-

-

40 ovs

8

7

1

9

1.50

7

23

39.13

1

-

5

-

-

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

 

72

 

35

 

7

 

122

 

4.36

 

19*

 

220

 

55.45

 

12

 

2

 

9

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

26

72

1

492

10

1-11

49.20

6.83

43.20

-

2

-

4

35 ovs

37

197.4

21

898

28

4-15

32.07

4.54

42.36

-

8

-

2

40 ovs

8

23.2

0

109

3

2-17

36.33

4.67

46.67

-

-

-

-

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

1

6

0

21

1

1-21

21.00

3.50

36.00

-

-

-

1

 

Totals

 

72

 

299

 

22

 

1520

 

42

 

4-15

 

36.19

 

5.08

 

42.71

 

0

 

10

 

0

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

“W”

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  H  |  J  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  P  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  V  |  W

 

 

 

 

 

 

#123

 

Johannes van den Grootschnyke Webster

 

Nickname:

Jan,  Tulip,  The MAD Dutchman,

Western Jab,  Jews Banter

Birthplace:

Maidenhead

Debut:

2012

Match:

259

DOB:

31 / 12 / 71

Height:

6’ 2”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm anything

#1 Single:

Benny Hill – “Ernie, the Fastest Milkman in The West”

 

 

A person holding up his fist

Description automatically generatedA person in white playing cricket

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Leftfield, sarcastic and sublimely eccentric, the socially joyous Mr Webster also has the longest name of anyone born outside of Sri Lanka. Since debuting over a decade ago, this University Publishing Lifer has entertained all with his unpredictably zany character both on and off the field. Acutely clever and well-studied, The MAD’s maverick Danish Dutchman is a genius with the pen… detailing in absurd detail the highs and lows of a cricket match in Booker detail, whilst sometimes starring in the leading role. Irreverent and enthralling to the casual observer, Jan just demands your attention, particularly when running between the wickets. How can a simple 22-yard dash be so incalculable to a man of such obvious intellect? As a footnote, he is a gifted cricketer when the stars are aligned.

 

Form: Excellent with the pen, less so on the field, but that’s probably because he buggered off abroad all season and left his mates in the turd. Always the complete enigma, will Jan come to party in 2026?

 

Fantasy Credentials: Always a conundrum, Jan could be a Fantasy bargain or a hole in your wallet where you’re left scratching your head. How will the returning Webster shape up in the JMO valuations? Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Jan is simply quite brilliant when judging quick singles.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

52

43

10

526

15.94

37*

711

73.98

50

2

6

-

-

35 ovs

35

32

5

405

15.00

72*

867

46.71

38

-

6

1

-

40 ovs

10

9

1

44

5.50

9

121

36.36

3

-

1

-

-

Timed

1

1

0

3

3.00

3

23

13.04

0

-

-

-

-

Other

9

7

1

109

18.17

30

176

61.93

13

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

107

 

92

 

17

 

1087

 

14.49

 

72*

 

1898

 

57.27

 

104

 

2

 

13

 

1

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

52

49.1

0

317

12

2-13

26.42

6.45

24.58

-

12

-

2

35 ovs

35

26.2

0

198

5

2-24

39.60

7.52

31.60

-

12

-

1

40 ovs

10

24

1

92

2

2-19

46.00

3.83

72.00

-

-

-

-

Timed

1

3.4

0

27

0

0-27

-

7.36

-

-

-

-

-

Other

9

6.5

0

52

2

2-14

26.00

7.61

20.50

-

3

-

-

 

Totals

 

107

 

110

 

1

 

686

 

21

 

2-13

 

33.00

 

6.14

 

32.26

 

0

 

27

 

0

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#144

 

Christopher Trevor John Williams

 

Nickname:

Pops,  Renon,  Nuno,  Islamic Whirls,

Lili Scrimshaw

Birthplace:

Oxford born and inbred

Debut:

2017

Match:

428

DOB:

18 / 03 / 1978

Height:

5’ 11”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Kate Bush – “Wuthering Heights”

 

 

A person with glasses on his nose and a person sitting on a bench

Description automatically generatedA person playing cricket on a field

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Laid back to the point where it isn’t always clear as to whether he is just quite calm or actually asleep, Nuno scored The MAD’s all time highest individual score (138*) and in full flow with the bat is one of The MAD’s great get-the-popcorn sights. He also has to his credit, and in the same season, what must surely be (and against some pretty strong opposition) the Most Drunken Dropped Tour Catch in all FFTMCC history on the Isle of Wight. Even when mostly incapacitated he is more capable than most. Nuno has contributed more than most to The MAD Youth Policy, in the shape of both Taiga and Kaito. As with the Westmoreland boys, they tend to make the rest of us look like Betamax tapes in a streaming world.

 

Form: Nuno had a solid if unspectacular season last time out, particularly for one of the team’s most talented bats. He still managed to bag more runs that almost everyone else, and he threw some absolute toilet down to boot.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Chris is always a popular and reliable pick amongst the Fantasy conglomerate, despite his obviously pricey valuation. Will season 2026 be any different? Over to you, JMO. Hmm…………….

 

Pithy Remark: “Argle Plinth Farggg!!!” vs Newport, August 2022.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

59

56

15

950

23.17

46*

804

118.16

131

10

5

-

-

35 ovs

80

79

8

2875

40.49

138*

2763

104.05

428

21

1

18

3

40 ovs

11

11

0

210

19.09

43

278

75.54

29

-

1

-

-

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

9

9

1

230

28.75

65

208

110.58

33

3

-

2

-

 

Totals

 

159

 

155

 

24

 

4265

 

32.56

 

138*

 

4053

 

105.23

 

621

 

34

 

7

 

20

 

3

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

59

78.5

2

549

18

4-11

30.50

6.96

26.28

-

12

-

2

35 ovs

80

85.2

7

484

20

4-21

24.20

5.67

25.60

-

25

-

7

40 ovs

11

15

3

68

3

3-15

22.67

4.53

30.00

-

3

-

1

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

9

7

0

71

0

0-23

-

10.14

-

-

1

-

-

 

Totals

 

159

 

186.1

 

12

 

1172

 

41

 

4-11

 

28.59

 

6.30

 

27.24

 

0

 

41

 

0

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#157

 

Taiga James Kawada-Williams

 

Nickname:

Tiger,  Adam Wagtail Saki Wail,

Adam Awaits Alkali Wig,

AKA Malawi Sid Wagtail

Birthplace:

Oxford

Debut:

2020

Match:

518

DOB:

19 / 11 / 2003

Height:

5’ 9”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm slow/medium/fast

#1 Single:

Kylie Minogue – “Slow”

 

 

A person throwing a ball

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: Infinitely more intelligent than his dad, Taiga guests for The MAD when he isn’t studying the biochemistry of the universe and discovering the intricate layers of Oxford University’s much lauded, venerable city. Jocular, with a keen sense of wit, it is hoped this dysfunctional Sunday outfit can become enough of a lure over the years for him to succumb to parking his arse in a deckchair, quaffing beers and making derisory comments about all on show.

 

Form: Just a solitary match in 2025, but enough to demonstrate his skills with the bat and remind the team of years gone by with his athleticism in the field.

 

Fantasy Credentials: Very much dependent on how many appearances the young man makes and of course that all important Fantasy valuation. Hmm….

 

Pithy Remark: Taiga really enjoys doing all the team’s running for them in the outfield.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

2

1

-

36

36.00

36

36

100.00

4

-

-

-

-

35 ovs

3

2

-

12

6.00

4

22

54.55

1

-

-

-

-

40 ovs

1

1

-

0

0.00

0

1

0.00

-

-

1

-

-

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

 

6

 

4

 

0

 

48

 

12.00

 

36

 

59

 

81.36

 

5

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

2

6

0

46

0

-

7.67

-

-

-

-

-

-

35 ovs

3

6

0

34

3

3-34

5.67

11.33

12.00

-

-

-

-

40 ovs

1

2

0

11

0

-

5.50

-

-

-

-

-

-

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

 

6

 

14

 

0

 

91

 

3

 

3-34

 

30.33

 

6.50

 

28.00

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#158

 

Kaito Archie Kawada-Williams

 

Nickname:

Bolt,  Alt Kiwi Somali, 

Malawi Awaits Kid Kola

Birthplace:

Oxford

Debut:

2020

Match:

523

DOB:

19 / 05 / 2006

Height:

5’ 8”

Type:

RH bat,  Right-arm medium

#1 Single:

Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy”

 

 

A close-up of a person wearing a helmet

Description automatically generatedA person playing cricket on a field

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

Profile: The younger of the Williams boys, Kaito is of course likewise already vastly more intelligent than his dad, now studying in the Big Apple to be a star of the future in architecture. Cheeky and fun to be around, he found it easy to slip into The MAD Tour of Ipswich, delighting in the failure of those who really show know better whilst amply carrying his own.

 

Form: Just a singular appearance in 2024 from young Kaito, displaying all that natural enthusiasm and a complete disregard for the skills of any bowler. Like his brother, he ends up doing all the running about in the outfield whilst the rest of the team’s ageing loafers look on.

 

Fantasy Credentials: As per the above, it depends on his MAD appearances as to whether you get your Fantasy value for money. But how many games will he play… and, erm what is his valuation anyway? Erm… over to JMO…?

 

Pithy Remark: Kaito outpaces his sprinting teammates whilst walking.

 

 

 

 

Batting

 

M

I

NO

R

Avg

HS

BF

SR

4

6

0

50

100

T20

4

4

2

10

5.00

7*

31

32.26

-

-

1

-

-

35 ovs

7

6

1

29

5.80

8

33

87.88

4

-

1

-

-

40 ovs

1

1

0

0

0.00

0

3

0.00

-

-

1

-

-

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

2

1

0

2

2.00

2

8

25.00

-

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

14

 

12

 

3

 

41

 

4.56

 

8

 

75

 

54.67

 

4

 

0

 

3

 

0

 

0

 

Bowling

 

M

O

M

R

W

Best

Avg

Econ

SR

5wi

Ct

St

RO

T20

4

5.1

0

51

1

1-9

51.00

9.87

31.00

-

1

-

-

35 ovs

7

9

1

64

2

1-32

32.00

7.11

27.00

-

-

-

1

40 ovs

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timed

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

2

6.1

0

37

2

2-25

18.50

6.00

18.50

-

-

-

-

 

Totals

 

14

 

20.2

 

1

 

152

 

5

 

2-25

 

30.40

 

7.48

 

24.40

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

1