Glorious finish for Whisker

Kurt Whisker hit a majestic unbeaten 132 as Goresbrook were crowned Mid Essex Division One champions after a final day demolition of relegated South Weald. The Goresbrook skipper took his seasonal tally to 876 league runs at an average of 97.3, a dominant performance especially given that as a result of rain and Chignal’s withdrawal from Division One he only had 13 league innings this season.

After being inserted on a greenish pitch after the visitors won the toss, Whisker shared a partnership of 89 with Craig Irving, Irving making an entertaining 36 featuring no less than 3 dropped catches before he was bowled by Chambers. Irving’s dismissal provoked a mini-collapse as Brook slumped to 127-4, but Shane Barwick and Jordan Harris stopped the rot, both men providing support to Whisker as the score advanced to 216-6, Harris’s dismissal brought Toby Maund to the crease and with Whisker by this time middling everything, the pair added 80 in the last half hour of the innings, Maund hitting a quickfire 29 and Whisker accelerating past the hundred mark with a six, finishing on 132 not out.

In reply, with their relegation confirmed the week before, the demoralised South Weald batsmen were hustled out in less than 15 overs, Shaun Ross picking up 3 early wickets in a lively spell and spinners Toby Maund and Shane Barwick sharing the remaining wickets, Maund being the pick with 4-24 from his 7 overs.

Whisker was delighted with his side’s campaign, but warned of tougher challenges ahead next season in the Premier Division.

“From a personal point of view it’s been a fantastic season, we’ve played on some good batting tracks and have really enjoyed our cricket as a club, but at first team level particularly it’s been a step back to hopefully take a few steps forward next season in the Premier Division.”

“We know there’s a big leap in standard, but we’re confident that we can be challenging at the top end of the league. We’ll be asking a lot more of our middle order batsmen and support bowling, but I know they’ve been frustrated with their lack of opportunities this year and they’ll be ready.”

One man who won’t be making the step up is all-rounder Michael Rooke, who has been a key performer and popular teammate since breaking into the 1st XI as a 15 year old. Rooke has taken a job offer in Singapore and will be playing his cricket in their domestic league from next season, a loss which Whisker will feel keenly.

“Michael is a top man and everybody will miss him in the dressing room, he’s a terrific cricketer as well and if you asked the opposition they would probably say he’s our best player. We don’t have any one player capable of batting at 3, opening the bowling and catching everything at slip, but his absence will give other people a chance to step up and opens up another spot for a youngster to come through, which is what the club is all about.”