Sunday Afternoon Cricket (SAS)

(For more on SAS cricket in season, see also the "SAS - Fixtures, Reports - SAS" page under "Team News")

*If you are new to the area, want to get back into cricket or want to start playing and fancy a game, Cumnor's Sunday Afternoon Cricket provides a great opportunity to come and have a look at us without commitment. You get your first two games for "tea money" only, and only then begin to pay membership - and even that can be done by installments whenever you play. So get in touch with the Match Manager (see the box below right and "Contacts" page), or come to nets and introduce yourself, and join the Sunday Afternoon Squad (SAS). Availability is notified, and team selection announced, by e-mail; so nothing to lose and lots of fun to be had. SAS sides are mixed ability and feature first team players to parents who haven't played for years (or ever) but fancy a game in the same team as their son (or daughter). Our end-of-season "Dads vs Lads" games are the icing on the SAS cake.

 

Why Sunday Afternoon Cricket?

Sunday cricket provides, amongst other things:

  • a "bridge" from youth's to men's cricket**, a bat and a bowl wherever we can, and an opportunity to experience Captaincy in an adult environment,
  • a game for players who don't* or didn't play on Saturday, including those who have representative games (School, District, County) on Saturday,
  • an opportunity for League Captains, Youth Team Managers and coaches to scout, observe, coach and play with their youths
  • a social event and exercise for non-League playing members,
  • an opportunity to get match practice for those returning from injury or other absence,
  • a bat or bowl for those who regularly miss out during Saturday's game (often applies to wicket-keepers/all-rounders), and importantly
  • an opportunity for players of all standards and generations to play together and mix socially.

** We follow ECB Guidelines for the Selection of young players in adult cricket  - see this and similar information on our "Club Guidelines" page.

Background and Recent History of the "SAS"

Back in the winter of 2006-7, a Sunday questionnaire was sent to all club members - players and social - to see what the demand and main drivers for Sunday cricket were. It was clear from the response that youth development and experience of adult cricket was the biggest rationale to form a Sunday Afternoon Squad (SAS) for the 2007 season. So it was no suprise that in 2008 the club was able to start a Fourth team in the Cherwell League nor that this team was promoted in only its second season, nor that SAS players have gone on the Captain it and the Sunday side.

Many of the 2007 "crop" of young players now play for our three League sides and in the National Village Cup; but it's also encouraging that many of them still enjoy Sunday afternoon games. Since that first SAS season, the number of new young players recommended by coaches and Youth Team managers to cross the "bridge" into adult cricket via the SAS has steadily risen with availabilities reaching an all-time high in 2011. 

Youth Team Managers, League Captains and our qualified coaches also play for the SAS - observing, scouting or coaching during the game - or simply taking paternal pride in the performances of their offspring, playing alongside them. 

Sunday Manager Phil Goodliffe (07788-954212) receiving the 2007 Cumnor Clubman of the Year Award, "mainly for his tireless work in organising the Sunday afternoon games and giving many young and old players opportunity for both development and fun!"