Carib Beer XI vs Northern Trust,

Greenwich Park, Tuesday 28th July 2026

As we came to the end of what must surely have been the Caribs’ hottest season, strictly in the meteorological sense, with most of us seeking shade and suncream, our captain marched his opposite number into the blazing sunshine on the square, that being the proper place to toss. Caribs lost it, of course, and were put into bat.

How do you like your duck, diamond or golden? Is it better to have faced a ball, or to have not made it to the crease at all? Perhaps not all ducks are equal, perhaps it is all in the timing, or perhaps in the colour of the ball? Carib Holmes certainly left his team mates with it all to do when bowled by the first ball of the match and first red ball of the season. Thankfully his partner at the other end, Carib Yusuf, raced to 28 runs in just 10 balls, his strokeplay making the most of the parched out-field. (The square, however, was impressively green; the groundsman had clearly done his homework on the exemptions to the hosepipe ban).

Carib Cordey was sent out at first drop. And a second drop, and a third drop…His luck run out, however, when NT managed to hold onto a skier. This was much to the relief of their 2 fans, cheering away from the boundary.

Next in was Carib Horn, who had just enjoyed an M&S Egg Mayo. After 13 typically elegant runs, he completed another stroke only to find that Carib Goochie was already by his side, shouting ‘Yes!’. It did not take much for NT to get the ball to the bowler’s end before Carib Horn.

Later in the evening, sources close to Carib Horn got in touch with the match reporter to recall the captain saying that Goochie had a knack “of picking the right stroke” or “picking the straight ball”. Recollections varied as to exactly what was said, but either way, the very next ball - an absolute screamer, sources were keen to emphasise - took his leg stump clean out of the ground.

After another retirement, a splendid run-a-ball 25 from Ringer Pushpit, Caribs left the field with their captain, not out on 11, somewhat out of character, appealing for extras, arguing the final ball of the innings had been over waist height. The umpires, Caribs Cordey and Holmes, were clear that the ball had arched through the sky, in a not dissimilar style to Carib Moss, and arrived at the batsman in a legal fashion. The target was 125 to win.

In contrast to the Carib innings, NT got theirs underway with a first ball four. Trust the Northerners. Their Yusuf was a Harry T, who also retired after ten balls. NT’s other opener, however, was caught and bowled by Carib Kunal in memorable style. Mike R hammered the ball towards the bowler but our man had such reflexes (and bravery) that it was straight into his hands. Another NT player then got to 25 off 19 balls. It was hard work out there, but Caribs added a couple of clean-bowled to their season’s highlights, and celebrated accordingly. There were hopes of a collapse, but NT Venkat and Rob steadied the ship and eased to the target with four and a half overs to spare.

Caribs packed up for the final time this season. A 6 wicket defeat without Carib Moss was a worrying omen for next season when he travels North.

If memory serves, the captain suggested to those of us taking bags that inner gloves be washed. It was agreed this would be put to a vote at the AGM. We made our way to Greenwich (Greenwich?! - Ed) for the pub, with Carib Weaver bringing along not just a bag, but unexpectedly, a loaf of Mighty White. Which is more than can be said for the inners.

Thank you to everyone for another great season. Long live the Carib Beer XI.

Carib Beer XI Lose by 6 Wickets

Scorecard