STBR Stats

And so ends another season of indoor cricket for the Popped Collars. The fifth season for the team - but only the fourth complete season, because we abandoned the Weston 2011 season before it was over. Of those 4 seasons, we have made 3 grand finals, and this was the first time we have lost the deciding game. Not that this was an unexpected result, given the stats from throughout the season.

Last week's game was an absolute thriller, with Rian's bowling, and a top bit of fielding by Brad on the back net on the last ball, saving the game for the Popped Collars on the last 3 balls. However, after the game, Gareth was all about his own personal performance... for the poor quality, rather than the good, that his stats showed. He scored -15 with the bat, and went for 41 runs from his two overs bowled, for a contribution of -56. Thus he asked the question:

What is the lowest contribution by a player on a winning team?

....and we're back.

My stats database is up-to-date with all Popped Collars games (I have grand plans to eventually go back and put in what scorecards I have from pre-Popped Collars days, as well as the full set of GG six-a-side matches from a few seasons ago). I promise nothing much at the moment, other than to keep the Popped Collars scorecards up to date, and to a weekly "Stat of the Week" (SotW) post.

So let's get underway...

Last night, in our poorly batting performance again Tuff Stuff, with the result of the game already beyond doubt, Rian and Gareth went in at the end and just had a dig. As is often the case, there were many big hits - but also many wickets.

At one point, the pair went through 10 balls, containing 3 sevens and 4 wickets, prompting Andy to pose this week's question:

"What is the most sevens a pair has hit, and still ended up with a negative score?"

Stat Of The Week, as requested by Rian. Most wickets lost by a batsman in an innings, while still making a positive score.

While the stats database is not completely up to date, I can give the answer to the question based on what I've got entered at the moment.

Rian claims that his 7 wickets lost tonight, while making a total score of 6, is close to the record. (He also claims that he actually got out 8 times, but I know he didn't... because I've got it on video!)

Another season has come and passed. And what a season it was the the Popped Collars! From a team point of view, the season brought a minor premiership, and a grand final victory - their second title in three seasons. On an individual level, there were records galore - particularly on the batting side of things. With regard to stats, this season saw the introduction of fielding stats (catches taken, run-outs affected, and stumpings made), which will be properly looked at for the first time here.

The Champions - The Popped Collars indoor cricket team. Left (front to back): Julian, Gareth, Andy. Right (front to back): Jake, Xavier, Rian, Brad. Background: The non-champion team.

"The Champions"
A tribute by B.Lockley & F.Mercury

I've paid my dues -
Time after time -
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime -
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face -
But I've come through We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the Weston Creek Indoor Cricket Centre -

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls -
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it - I thank you all - But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise -
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race -
And I ain't gonna lose -

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the Weston Creek Indoor Cricket Centre -

In an absolute thriller of a grand final, it was the Popped Collars who prevailed by 2 runs over ASG to clinch their second premiership from the last three seasons.

The game was a close run thing from the first ball until the last. Neither team ever had a clear upper hand, and as the last few balls were sent down, it even looked as though it may end up a tie. Cool heads with the bat from Jake and Andy in the dying stages of the game saw the Popped Collars home off the last ball.