Photography © Paul Craven

Report by Paul Craven

It's not every day us ordinary mortals get to call Eric Clapton "Skipper" or bat with Liam Botham and Bill Wyman... but by virtue of a healthy donation to charity and an enthusiasm for the game of cricket (that is, to my regret, unmatched by my ability), it was a tremendous privilege to play in last Sunday's charity match for the Eric Clapton XI against David English's Bunburys.

As the crowd of 1500 people basked in the glorious sunshine, with the proceeds from the day going to four charities including the English Schools Association, the following players took to the field.

The Bunburys: D. Malan, P. Coverdale, M. Walker, M. Ramprakash, M. Rutherford, S. Bennett, J. Inverdale, P. Tuffnell, D. English, J. Altman, C. Sutton, J. Cousins, C. Ravel, P. Ravel, L. Honeyghan, S.Scott, K. Ockenden, J. Cuby, M. Austin

The Eric Clapton XI: A. Lamb, E. Clapton, L. Botham, R. Steele, P. Craven, B. Wyman, P.Morgan, J. Lee, M.Clark, G. Waller, R. Jones Davis, R. Waters, J. Batty

The Bunburys batted first, but any thoughts I had of hiding in the field vanished when a high fizzing ball soared towards me in the deep off Liam Botham's bowling. The agony and suspense of waiting what seemed like 3 hours for it to come down was only dissipated by my complete and utter surprise at actually catching it. 'Caught Craven, bowled Botham...' Now that's one for the grandchildren!

Luck does indeed play a part in sport. No where more so that when encouraged by Allan Lamb, I bowled 3 overs, with figures of 2-21(including the wicket of John Inverdale), so it was a hat trick ball as the loudspeaker wondered whether "the magician could produce a third rabbit from the hat?" As it was David English hit it modestly over the head of the close-in field, so it wasn't quite a perfect, perfect
dream...but it was pretty close!

Mind you batting was equally fun - Allan Lamb got a quick 54, Eric a more slowhand 5 runs. Liam Botham shared some of his dad's old aggression for 38, but having me up the other end clearly threw him off his stride as he was caught on the boundary of Mike Rutherford. Bill Wyman and I nurdled the score on for the last few overs, well short of the target. Not easy when the fielding Bunbury side had 20 players!

In the last over, I hit it in the air to 'cowshot corner', and returned to the pavilion with 13 runs under my belt, thereby bringing Piers Morgan to the crease.

It was clearly a beneficial day for the four charities (Chase Childrens Hospice, the Crossroads Rehab Centre, the English Schools Association and the Longacre Jubilee Appeal), based upon the tickets sold, the auctions and other related fund raising activities. One preliminary estimate was that £70,000 had been raised. How is it that David English can combine so much charity with so much fun?

And in a quiet moment of humble reflection after the event, one cannot help but think that it will forever be a magical memory for some of the amateurs like me who were lucky enough to play with various musicians, sportsmen and celebrities on this happiest of summer days.

They say "nostalgia ain't what it used to be", but I strongly beg to differ.

Long live the Bunburys!

Paul Craven. June 2008