The KnightWatchman - Season 10, Round 14 A Trip to The Castle Season 10 has been hard for all Crusader supporters. With only two wins so far this season, it's clear that it has become another victim of instability at the top, three different President/HoR partnerships in three seasons. However the signs are pointing upward, with current President Ed Ames set to be the first Crusader President since season 8 to last more than one season in the job. Of course, the failure of many of the bowling attack to fire has also been cited as a reason for the clubs failings; with club legend Jeffy Rocker and signings Heath Davis and Jake Wilkinson all having below average seasons. The difficulties caused by the loss of Scott Wilson and Luke Tyson were obvious to see for all. The promising attack seemed to be hit by age and poor form at the worst possible time. I asked club President Ed Ames what he felt was the main problem behind the bowling in season 10? “I think the sudden decline of Jake Wilkinson as well as poor seasons for Jeffy Rocker and Heath Davis has meant that we were under-prepared. Whilst our groundsman was informed to prepare a seam-friendly pitch, this meant the options of who to promote from the Knights side have been limited. [Chris] Kovas and [Nigel] Hunt have both decided to turn into shunts as well, which hasn't helped. Although, despite this, we've managed to keep Joshua Ritchie out of First Class for the most part, which makes the season a success, in my opinion.” Of course not all has been bad at the club, President Ed Ames and Sam Bakkum have been mighty for the top order. On top of this, Ben Hornby and Mate Perry have both been contributing at times. Along with the promising debut of both John Heads and HBK Teja into the Bannerman Shield, it hasn’t been completely bad news. I got in touch with Heads and asked him about his entry into the Bannerman Shield, and how he feels he has done as a first year rookie at the club? “Well I was actually pretty surprised to be playing in the Bannerman Shield so early in my career but I think I've done quite well so far, scoring a 50 or 100 in each of the three games I've played. Overall I reckon my rookie season has been pretty stellar on the field and considering I've outperformed [failed equestrian, Sticky] Phlegm by a ridiculous amount I'm happy with it. My biggest highlight so far is probably my name being used at the coin toss - it's certainly the area where the Crusaders have seen the most wins this season.” In second class, the Knights have had more luck than the First XI, potentially finishing 5th in the Avo Lovers Cup. With the competition’s leading wicket taker Joshua Ritchie, up and coming pace bowler Jake Howe and a batting lineup consisting of Charlie Downes, Jonathan Jones, Tom Clough and Manju Reddlapalli. A win against the Fangs this round would secure a 5th place finish for the Knights. We caught up with rising young opener Charlie Downes on his thoughts on the ALC season. “I’m still holding out hope that the Knights can make the finals this season,” says Charlie Downes, “Obviously it is mathematically impossible – but you can never lose hope. Joshua Ritchie already has 50 wickets this season and will be key to the bowling along with young gun Jake Howe. Tom Clough and Jonathan Jones will be looked upon for the batting big scores. If the squad can build form and momentum, then we are every chance of finals cricket.” Bakk For More Crusaders Media: Hi there, Sam. How does it feel to be one of CricSim’s finest up-and-coming opening batsmen? Sam Bakkum: It’s a great feeling knowing that within 2 ½ seasons I’ve gone from a complete novice batsmen starting for the greatest Knights team CricSim has ever seen to one of the leading batsmen in the premier competition that is the Bannerman Shield. While that in my eyes is a success, you can also add in the fact I’m just a mere few runs away from Rusty in the leading run scorer department this season. I’m delighted with my season and my progress so far. CM: You’ve been phenomenal this season, do you think you can keep improving at such a level? SB: I think that sticking with the Crusaders is a risky option due to the lack of consistency this season has bought but that’s a decision I will have to make within the next few months. This season has seen me go from strength to strength in all departments possible. I’m learning how to carry the team when things look pretty bleak which has taught me to trust my batting ability and has seen me take on even more responsibility which hopefully in the long run will see the guys around me do the same and we can become a dominate force that should challenge for BS in the VERY near future. I think its important to remember how I become this great batsmen and that was a superior Crusaders Academy (The Knights) as they trained me hard when I arrived mid S8 and turned me from what they call a “Wonder Kid” to an actual star that rips bowling attacks to shreds this was displayed perfectly when I faced the Stickies scoring 274 runs at an average of 137 in R13. CM: And how does it feel to be part of a Crusaders team not performing amazingly this season? SB: I’m going to be pretty blunt and says its frustrating going in each week knowing it’s an uphill battle to get 20 wickets each match, which is the biggest problem in the Crusaders camp this season. While our batting is stacked with talent its our bowling that still has some class when Ritchie is not starting but its just doesn’t have enough flair to get those all important 20 wickets or get the good batsmen like Rusty out early enough to give us a sniff of hope getting them for under 200. CM: Do you think the team is capable of avoiding the spoon this season? SB: It’s going to be a tough match to win but its very possible if I can fire again or even if we get the likes of Ames or Hornby gunning it with the bat and if we can get Rocker/Heef/Perry picking up wickets often we have a very decent shout at causing a big upset and saving ourselves from the spoon. The Rays have begun to pick up some form, which will make it tough for us, but despite being outsiders, we are definitely capable. CM: Recent reports and the Stickies’ media said you were definitely heading there, come seasons end, do you have anything to say to those rumours? SB: The Stickies approached me earlier in the season when things looked bleak for my career and I seriously considered the move to try rejuvenate my career but that crisis seems to be over and things are looking on the up for the whole club in general. The Stickies have always liked my talent and have tried to poach me before but I had to back out due to certain clauses being involved, this season there will be no change in team nor in the future as we are trying to build a base around a few core top class players so we can challenge for the BS title, at the Crusaders. Plus how would gain an easy 274 runs each season if I didn’t get to play the Stickies. CM: Rumours around The Castle are suggesting that three big name players have already been secured for Season 11, to improve the club’s Bannerman Shield fortunes. What’re your thoughts on the future of the club? SB: Season 11 is going to be a very different season for the Crusaders, we have bought in some extra talent which should see us challenge if not win the BS title as the squad is going to be stacked with some absolute legends and some new and upcoming starts like myself. I’m quite excited and the club is currently pursuing one or two new talents, and if we can get them, then the club’s future looks very bright indeed. CM: Thanks for your time, Mr. Bakkum. SB: No problem. Season 5 Crusaders – Where are they now? Very few could argue that the Season 5 Crusaders lineup was not amongst the best that has ever been assembled in the land of CricSim. Numerous legends of the game have pulled on the maroon jersey, although Season 5 was to see many of these legends come together in a single XI. The batting lineup boasted the likes of BJ Gemmell, A Vago and MR Hayes – all in the prime of their careers, averaging 62.41, 46.06 and 54.54 respectively. Despite not having huge depth in the batting lineup, those three stars, alongside solid performances from DT Petrucci and P Retzel, saw that the Crusaders were able to rack up more than enough runs to secure the Shield. But it was with the ball, where the Season 5 Crusaders really excelled. A bowling lineup that included the likes of SB Wilson and JU Rocker, of C Man and L Tyson, is arguably the best bowling attack in recorded history, and statistically, is the second best bowling lineup in CricSim history (with a bowling quotient of 28.51) – only ever beaten by the Stingrays attack of Season 8. The Season 5 Crusaders Bannerman Shield Final XI – where are they now? 1. A Vago An explosive batsman at the top of the order for both Queensland and the Stingrays, Vago has been tearing apart the Bannerman Shield since his time at the Crusaders, and is regarded by some as one of the best openers in the history of the game. Vago is currently topping the order of a Stingrays side that is slowly climbing the Bannerman Shield ladder, and is ever consistent in a strong Queensland side. 2. P Retzel Mr. Retzel always led a haywire lifestyle and this was bound to catch up on him, sooner rather than later. During early-Season 9 a drug addiction came about as Retzel began a homosexual relationship with Charlie Sheen. This took over his career at meant the Crusaders legend only averaged 31 for the season. He was then banned after he failed the pre-Season 10 drug test. He shows no signs of progressing, either – rejecting any form of rehab. 3. DT Petrucci At the heart of controversy due to a suspicious name-change, the Crusaders President at the time was said to have been chased out the club by several mafia hitmen from rival site Greenpitch. This led the then-named Monkeywrench to change his name and flee the Crusaders, starting a new life at the Pumas, and later the Cyclones. Hitting one of the low points of his career, Petrucci was dropped to the Cyclones Second XI in late-Season 10, although remained in the New Zealand side despite this. 4. MR Hayes The Crusaders top-run scorer of all-time was at home in the middle-order at the CCG for many seasons, and it took a very lucrative contract offer from the Gamblers and former middle-order partner BJ Gemmell to lure him away from his home. Dropped from the New South Wales side he was once so prominent in, and playing in the Gamblers Second XI has signified the decline of one of the game’s legends. 5. BJ Gemmell Arguably the greatest batsman in the history of the game, BJ Gemmell was phenomenal in the Crusaders Championship winning season. Since then, Gemmell has been an instrumental part of two [semi-]successful sides, in the form of the Cyclones and the Gamblers. The big-man looks set at The Strip for the seeable future, despite drops in form. As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent. 6. J Read The young wicketkeeper was playing his debut season in the Bannerman Shield, at #6 in a Championship winning lineup. Averaging approximately 30 every season thus far, Read Jr. has begun to hit a rich vein of form during Season 10, which has propelled him into the Gamblers XI and his season average above 40. 7. L Tyson Another of the game’s greats, Tyson was possibly the best supporting bowler in CricSim and was more than handy with the bat. Since, he has had commitment issues, being unable to commit to a club, and as a result, has often missed out on much needed training. This has led to a steady decline summarized by a Season 10 FC bowling average of 49. 8. C Kovas A key figure both on and off the pitch, Kovas has batted in many positions for the Crusaders and Knights, ranging from 5 to 10, such is his flexibility. A handy supporting bowler, and lower order batsman, Kovas was a key role in holding the Season 5 side together, and has appeared for the Crusaders many times since. Although, missing every single nets session recently after a barrage abuse from opposing fans has led to his technical ability massively decreasing, to the stage where he is now a regular for the Knight side. 9. SB Wilson Another key figure in the Crusaders history, Wilson has led the Crusaders numerous times. Successfully re-building the club from the lows of Season 8, Wilson is a club legend – simple as that. Leading the Gamblers bowling attack, and fighting with DA Eggman for the right as CricSim’s best ranked bowling, Wilson is unique amongst the S5 Crusaders, due to continued success the others have not maintained. 10. JU Rocker The club’s most loyal servant, Rocker has been apart of the Crusaders since it’s induction to the Bannerman Shield in Season 2, and was a part of the club’s predecessors, the Redbacks, during CricSim’s first two seasons. As with many others of the Crusaders side, his declination has occurred over the past couple of seasons, and Rocker is at the verge of being dropped from the current Crusaders side. He has also lost his place in the Queensland side and it appears his First Class is nearly over. 11. C Man CricSim’s residential whore, C Man has appeared at numerous clubs throughout his CricSim career. This has also led to a lack of proper training, and Man has steadily declined since his hugely successful Season 8 in the Championship-winning Stingrays side. Since joining the Pumas, and then the Gamblers, Man has never been the same, though, and now appears for the Gamblers Second XI in the Avo Lovers Cup competition.
Thought this was going to be a thread on how the nightwatchman should be used in cricsim. Disappointed.
Could've sworn I listed one at the start of the season for the first round or two and you dismissed it?
Added it on to the instructions. Assuming I'd be the best candidate. Defensive batsman who has some ability to stick in there when needed.
