Cricket aid for Iranian workers

Just spent a very enjoyable afternoon in a deserted corner of Walthamstow where two cricketing titans did battle. That's right it was the Hands off the People of Iran vs Labour Representation Committee fundraising match.


Hopi won the toss and team captain Attila the Stockbroker decided that we should bat first, after carefully weighing up wind speed, direction and the state of the sewage works just over the hedge. It was an inauspicious start with Communist Party of Great Britain stalwart Ben Lewis bowled out on his very first ball.

That means Ben Lewis got no runs and had to leave the pitch there and then. Without a run to his name, Ben Lewis. I believe they call that a golden duck which is seen, in many circles, to be rather unlucky. However in many senses everyone was a winner today, so I wouldn't want anyone to associate the name of Ben Lewis with the phrase Golden Duck as that would be very, very unfair - even if he did get bowled out on the first ball without scoring any runs


Happily the rest of the team took up Ben's slack and set to work against the LRC's handy bowlers. Mr Matt Sellwood, Green parliamentary candidate for Hackney added three full runs to the team before being given out in a very dodgy decision which I admit I didn't personally see. Natalie Bennett, from Camden Greens added another five runs and was not out by the end of the 25-over innings, McDonnell's bowling unable to dislodge her from the crease.

In that time Jones / Jonesy had made an excellent thirty and Sidwell was the star batsman retiring on 52.

John McDonnell's team then had their work cut out for them to beat Hopi's 112 for 5 but they had a brave stab at it. Their top scorer was John Milligan who was run out on 44, impressive when you consider he had to face Attilla's alarmingly unorthodox bowling style. Sam O'Neill was the other top scorer for the LRC with 24 (not out) despite the energetic fielding of one Mr Sunny Hundal.

Another fielding mention needs to go to the Socialist Party's Rosie Isaac who, although new to the game, made herself extremely useful and was an invaluable addition to the team.

Sadly years of being twinned with the craven moral turpitude of the New Labour government had addled the Labour team's senses. Even McDonnell's calming influence could not guide them to victory as they ended their 25-overs with just 99 for 5.

So Hopi wins the cup and when I know how much money was raised I'll let you know. Good stuff.

You can also see more photos here, here and here.