Team photo 2007

After several years of indifferent performance, the ageing Drifters have been forced to put a number of stalwarts onto the transfer list – and there they remain.  Indeed, apart from this fate, a great deal of misfortune has struck these stalwarts. 

The first event was that I had a heart attack at 07.00 on December 31 that necessitated several pieces of metalwork being inserted in the offending arteries. I am supposed to be taking it easy and long haul flights have been banned.  However, progress seems to be good and I hope to be able to make the trip and play, depending upon the view of the consultant and the insurance company.  I am still on the transfer list to the grim reaper.

Secondly, Taran Persaud has got a job in Muscat and cannot get his leave arranged to coincide with the tournament.  Thirdly, Neil Howe has not been able to find a bowling coach who is capable of curing his gips, so he has to stay at the indoor academy.  Fourthly, Rob Smith has not been seen outside of a Garden City, or temperance zone, as it is known to the initiated.  Fifthly, others have resorted to the well known excuses and reasons for not being able to escape work or family duties.

So, we shall rely on Lord Hall, after his brush with authority, to bring diplomacy to the cause. He has been in the transfer market and, due to financial constraints, has been restricted to scouring the lower Surrey Championship divisions. There he has unearthed a gem.  It is a very large gem, which could be priceless, in the form of John Langham, who was a teenage wicket-keeping prodigy for Surrey CC. Langers is now in residence at Old Emanuel CC in his twilight years. The Drifters are hoping his quick hands and big hitting will match his drinking abilities. We also hope that he has recovered from a punishing winter nets session in which he has put on weight, mainly due to the amount of pies being served up from Lord Hall. He is recently married to Martha (Kiwi, scorer, and superb tea lady), so let’s just hope we don't draw a Kiwi team, else loyalties could be split.
 
This means that we shall have a surfeit of wicket keeping talent to add to those of our resident man in Chiang Mai, Dave Walker.  Some hidden all round skills will need to be rediscovered.  Last year, when the Drifters squad was being hospitalised, or sectioned, Richard Cox, of Darjeeling, helped us out and he has asked to be retained. His combative skills are most welcome.  Pete Demetri, an elegant performer, who toured three years ago, or was it four, is planning a return appearance and, again, he is most welcome, as is his brother, Leo, who is here to be a spectator – mmm?

Alan Jenner has had a troubled time of late on a personal front, but he has vowed to “go large” this year to compensate. So, all the previous trips were a tea party, Tubs?  The annual negotiations with Pato were re-joined and, who knows, he might just appear.