Ajaz said: “I’ve based it on players who I have played with and against and funnily enough I’ve played with everyone in my team apart from David Christmas. It’s not necessarily who I think are the best players but the ones who have performed brilliantly in local cricket over many years. That might explain why there’s no Nadeem or Saleem Mohammed for example. They ar two of the best players I’ve played with, but just didn’t play enough local cricket.”
Ajaz, a former Peterborough Town and Cambridgeshire captain, also nominated a coach, scorer and tea lady!
Coach: Neil Lowndes. “Transformed a sleepy Market Deeping on his arrival to the village into one of the team of the 90s. Hard, tough and never took a backward step..and that was just with his own team mates. Great company in the bar and would definitely keep this team in check and then buy them a beer in the bar!”
Scorer: Wilf Morgan. “The legendary Town batter and in his very late years Town’s scorer. Introduced coloured pencils in a black and white era and has to be in because he was the only one who knew the direction to every ground in the country! Would stand on the outfield and hold up the game until a fellow scorer arrived. RIP old boy.”
Tea Lady: Julia French- “Her legendary teas at Town in the noughties increased both the number of members at the club and their waste lines. Superb spread, strawberries, cakes, pasta you name it she made it! Her lad Callum was a decent player too, but a bit overweight for obvious reasons!”
1.
ALAN SWANN: “Alan had a superb cricket brain and was an opening batsman man who never gave his wicket away cheaply. He would hold an innings together and pace it superbly...all with his two shots! Alan was also a great sledger at short leg and won over 15 trophies for Peterborough Town. Also team press secretary.”
2.
JOHN MCDOUGALL: “Although John was my bunny for years he still has a tremendous career record for Market Deeping. He was powerful off the front foot and he should have been given a chance to play Minor Counties cricket for Lincolnshire. Also an ace fielder who would be my first slip.” Photo: Midlands
3.
BOB MILNE: ‘Milney’ was a true competitor for each and every one of the 17 local clubs he played for! He had a geat temperament and would never give an inch away as a batter. Bob batting with ‘Swanny’ may send the crowd home, but his loud vocals in the field will definitely keep them awake. Bob’s little inswingers in his youth were useful too.” Photo: Midlands
4.
DAVID GILLETT: “David was a classy left-hander who once scored a worthless 50 at Lord’s for Lincolnshire! He is Market Deeping’s greatest ever batsman and a one -club man. David experienced mixed fortunes for Lincolnshire, but was always up for a challenge. He was also a superb fielder in his youth although the team would need to carefully back up his throws from the boundary!” Photo: Midlands