I’ll start with the best team based on players I played with and against in the local area. I spent 30 years playing for Peterborough Town CC in the Northants Premier Division, South Lincs Premier Division and the Rutland League.
Only players from within the PT circulation area were considered with professionals and overseas players banned.
I make no apology for the abundance of PTCC players in my line-up as they have been the dominant local club in the last 30 years. E-mail your all-star team to [email protected]
1.
LEWIS BRUCE: I first played with Lewis when he was a 14 year-old leg-spinner. Like me he came to Peterborough Town from the now-defunct Old Deaconians team. Unlike me he could, bat, bowl and field. It’s been wonderful to see him develop into one of the all-time great all-rounders in the area. He’s a classy batsman with all the shots and he’s now an astute off-spin bowler capable of drying up run rates as well as taking key wickets. Lewis has a terrific cricket brain as shown when captaining Town and Cambridgeshire and when turning down a big money move to Market Deeping. Photo: Midlands
2.
SALEEM MOHAMMED: When super Saleem first arrived at Bretton Gate from the Pak Azad side he was viewed more as the hot-headed, less talented twin brother of Nadeem. But my word what an aggressive and entertaining opening batsman he became. I had the privilege of opening the batting with Saleem, briefly, at the start of his PTCC club record innings of 184 at Northampton Saints, a record that still stands even though the standard of bowling has generally deteriorated. Picked up useful wickets as well, but he’s in my team as an opening batsman alongside Bruce.
3.
NADEEM MOHAMMED: Nadeem, my number three, is one of the classiest batsmen to grace the local scene. He came to PTCC from succesful city side Nenedale and took the big rise in standard in his stride, plundering runs effortlessly on either side of the wicket. Like his twin brother Saleem he progressed quickly into Minor Counties cricket with Cambridgeshire. A lovely bloke, but also a fierce competitor, a top-notch cover fielder and an underrated bowler who once took all 10 wickets for PTCC in a Rutland Division One game at Castor. Nadeem and Saleem now both live and work in Australia.
4.
PAUL RAMM. I need a left-handed batsman in my team for balance and there have been none better locally than ‘Rammy’ who played with great success for both Burghley Park and Barnack. My batting line-up is so flexible I could switch Lewis and Paul in the order without weakening the side’s run-scoring potential. Paul played most of his career at the top of the order and could adapt to any situation whether it be grafting on a tricky wicket or plundering runs on a flat track at beautiful Burghley. Just keeps fellow Burghley player John Munton out of my side. Photo: Midlands