History of Bucks CCC

bringing Burns to Bucks was Tim Scriven. Their paths had first crossed in second eleven cricket and they had got to know each other better when Scriven had briefly assisted Somerset. Burns held the Bucks skipper in high regard and, after he had dipped his toe in the water, made it clear that he could be of greatest value to Bucks if he were allowed to help the captain by operating as a player/coach. By 1998 Burns’ wider contribution was recognised with his appointment as the county’s Director of Cricket, and he played an increasing part in bridging the gulf between the County Club and the members’ clubs competing in their different leagues across the county. He reached into the Asian communities, where talent had not hitherto been well tapped and, as he got to work, his impact was felt more widely across the better players in all age groups. Despite the new signing, 1995 was destined to be another summer of disappointment with seventh place in the Championship once again offset by reaching the semi-final of the knockout through good wins against Bedfordshire, Cheshire and Dorset. But there was a middle order batting collapse against Cambridgeshire just when a final at Lord’s was beckoning. Problems with availability cost points in the Championship, but qualification for the NatWest looked assured until a curious sequence of results by other counties just denied Bucks. The best match of the year was at Lakenham where Bucks declared to set Norfolk 293 to win. Needing eight from the final over with two wickets in hand, Norfolk lost their ninth wicket to a run out off the last ball as their batsmen strove in vain for the winning run. This match was notable for the debut of Charlie Jaggard, who hit a fifty in each innings. There was yet another semi-final in the MCC Trophy in 1996 but one more failure to reach Lord’s as Cheshire won by 23 runs at New Brighton. However, things looked up in the Championship, third place assuring a return to the NatWest for the following season. Roberts again enjoyed spectacular success, becoming the first Bucks player to score two centuries in a match when he hit 177 and 101, both undefeated, against Northumberland at Jesmond. Sadly, it was to no avail as rain caused the match to be abandoned on the second afternoon shortly after Roberts had reached his target. Neil Burns also averaged over 50, as did Bruce Percy, for the second year in succession, though he was now able to play in only three matches. There was also a maiden century for Richard Hurd of Beaconsfield, against Cambridgeshire at Kimbolton School. The attack, moreover, had a new potency, with the speed of Anatole Thomas bringing him 35 wickets, the same number as Clarke. Sadly, his temperament, occasionally too fiery even for a fast bowler, denied Tolly Thomas the further successes his talent could have brought him. Participating in the NatWest Trophy for the first time in three years, Bucks entertained Essex at Beaconsfield in front of a good crowd on 24 June 1997. Allowed one overseas player, the selectors enlisted the West Indian Test batsman Keith Arthurton, who was engaged as professional at High Wycombe. His principal contribution was with the ball. In his 12 overs he took four for 54 as Essex, mainly thanks to a whirlwind 67 not out at the end of the innings from Robert Rollins, amassed 327 for 7. Undaunted by the target, Neil Burns and Tring Park’s Matt Bowyer at one point took eight fours from two overs in reaching 117 for one. But the asking rate was well above Bucks’ reasonable capabilities and the innings petered out at a creditable 238 for 7. Earlier in the month there had been a chastening encounter at Jesmond in the MCC Trophy. Put in to bat, Bucks scored the second highest total in the 14-year history of the knockout competition. An opening stand of 257 between centurions Harrison and 102 Switch to Eastern Division Neil Burns