NEARLY 1000 PERSONS have played for SEATTLE CRICKET CLUB in the last 50 years. Space permits us to name only a few...but this section honors the unnamed many, without whom Seattle Cricket Club could never have existed.
Frank Willesden
Only vaguely remembered by even the senior-most members of the club, Mr.
Willesden was one of the oldest Seattle cricketers, the only one presumed
to have been active during the "social" phase of Seattle cricket in
the pre-WWII era of the 1930s. He was serving as Chairman of the club when in
his 70s, until 1962. Present whereabouts unknown...he is presumed to be
deceased.
Donald (Don) Bury
Most Seattle cricketers will remember the dignified old man who could be seen
sitting quietly in his own camp chair at Dahl Playfield and then at Fort Dent
Park, at almost every Seattle home game in the 80's and early 90's. His real
identity, as the founder of Seattle cricket in the late 1940s, became known
only after he passed away in 1995. Don Bury was a true cricketer...one
of the best...and his bequest of his books to the Seattle Cricket Club speaks
to his commitment to the local game.
Emeritus Professor Hamied
Played for Seattle Cricket Club in the 1946-50 era. Now 76 and a renowned
figure in the Ethnomusicology of South Asia, Professor Hamied retired from the
USC faculty in 1990. While a student at the University of Washington, he played
as an all-rounder for Seattle (medium-pace bowler and opening batsman) for
three years, went on to play in Canada after graduation, and is still an avid
follower of the sport. He supplied much of the information on the early
post-war years of the Seattle Cricket Club.
A. Vasudev
From 1959 to 1962 (i.e. just before Seattle Cricket Club entered its official
era) "Vasu" captained Seattle and was its best all-rounder. He
returned to India, but came back to teach at Washington State University... in
the 1970s, he was a founder of the WSU Cricket Club. His son played for
Seattle CC in the 1980s!....Vasu is now retired, and living in Eastern
Washington.
Dr John Savory
Perhaps the best batsman ever to play for Seattle (he had a batting average of 63.3
in the BCMCL First Division !), John Savory led Seattle, in its first
official season in the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League (BCMCL),
to its only First Division League title. He also played for the USA, and
top-scored in the 1962 US-Canada Test Match. Dr. Savory is currently the
top medical administration official in the State of Virginia.
Prof Mohan Nayudu
Now retired and living in Alaska, Professor Nayudu was an accomplished batsman
and change bowler who captained Seattle in the mid 1950s and through the early
1960s. He is best known for having inaugurated the modern era of club cricket
in Seattle (see history).
Ajit Prasad
In the mid-1960s, Ajit was a devastatingly accurate fast-medium bowler
and a #4 batsman, who single-handedly won matches for a then-depleted Seattle
team in the BCMCL First Division. Remembered for his eccentricities, such as staring
down batsmen before bowling to them....and referring to himself in the third
person ("as long as Ajit Prasad is there..."). Ajit moved to
the Midwest, and his present wherablouts are unknown.
Winston Lewis
One of the first Aussies to play regularly for Seattle CC in the mid 1960s, Winston
was a useful change bowler, a very quick-scoring mid-order batsman, and a wit
and raconteur who added a great deal of levity to the serious business of BC
League cricket. Returned to Australia after obtaining his Ph. D. at the UW.
Madhusudan Misra
Now a businessman living in Delhi, former Doon School star Madhu was the
top all-rounder in the famed Seattle Cricket team which won the First
Division League title under Dr. John Savory (see above)....he averaged 42 runs
and took 24 wickets, in the First Division, for each of the seasons he played
for the club.
Ralph Knight
The first in a long line of Caribbean stars who have played for Seattle, Ralph
Knight of Jamaica had much of the lazy grace and lightning reflexes of the
legendary Worrell. He batted after Dr. Savory and M. Misra with impatient
brilliance, scoring a lot of runs when in the mood. His four seasons in Seattle
will be remembered for spectacle, as well as performance. His present
whereabouts are unknown.
Prof. Tridib Bannerjee
Now an internationally famous senior professor of engineering at the University
of Southern California, Tridib played for several seasons in the 1960s
as an accomplished all-rounder. He still maintains contacts with senior members
of the Seattle Cricket Club, and visits Fort Dent occasionally.
Dr Richard Benjamin
A well-known oncologist who has pioneered in cancer research and treatment, Dr.
Benjamin (South Africa) was a wicket keeper for Seattle Cricket Club in the
early 1960s, and was also a useful mid-order batsman. Although he retired early
from regular cricket because of his professional responsibilities, he still
supports Seattle cricket.
Geoff Meston
In the mid-60's, Geoff Meston, from England, was a classic opening bat
who served as a sheet-anchor around which the more aggressive batsman could
build up their scores. Now retired and living in Seattle, Geoff still attends
occasional cricket matches at Fort Dent Park.
Derek Handley
One of the regular members of Seattle Cricket Club during the late 60s and into
the 70s, Derek was a useful all-purpose cricketer who had also passed
the MCC Umpires exam. He played occasionally, and also umpired, in friendly
games into the middle and late '80s. Present whereabouts unknown.
Peter Crocker
Pete's cricketing skills were unorthodox, but he was almost as famous
for his antics as his exploits on the field. Stories are still told by the
old-timers about his offbeat Aussie humor, his off-the-wall batting and
fielding, and his overall eccentricities. Pete retired early in the 1960s, and
proceeded instead to make a few million dollars....he still attends cricket
matches, and was the co-sponsor of the Crocker-Surendranath Award which
is still awarded at Annual Banquets.
George Lynch
Originally from Barbados but settled now in Ontario, arguably the best
wicket-keeper/ batsman to play for Seattle. George captained Seattle to
victory for several seasons, scored three centuries every year he played (for
four years), and also took wicket-keeping honors in the BCMCL. Returned to
Ontario where he presently resides.
Stanley Alleyne
Stanley, from Trinidad, set several records in the British Columbia
League for stumping and catches behind the wickets. He also opened the
batting for Seattle for many years, producing "fast-start" opening
stands with his fluent stroke play. He played for Seattle for 10 years, and can
still be seen kibitzing at Fort Dent! Now works for Metro as a bus repair
specialist.
Arun Jhaveri
Former Mayor of Federal Way in the 1990s, Arun was a stalwart supporter and
player for Seattle through the 60s and the 70s, and was always available during
those lean years when it was often difficult to get together a side. He had
several good performances as a mid-order batsman, and rescued the team from
defeat on more than one occasion. Lives in Federal Way and occasionally attends
Seattle cricket matches.
Brian Trethewy
In the 1970s, Brian (from England) was one of the most effective
medium-pace bowlers for Seattle, with a deadly off-cutter...he was also a
useful late-order batsman. Led the bowling averages for Seattle for several
seasons. Immigrated to Australia in the late 1970s, returned to Seattle but
gave up cricket to pursue farming as his avocation. Present whereabouts are
unknown.
Professor Colin Daly
A well known engineering professor at the University of Washington, a longtime
stalwart of Seattle Cricket Club, off-break bowler; created the first computer
databases for the club in his labs, and was an organizer and leader in the
formation of the second team in the 1970s. Still teaches at the University of
Washington.
Kenneth Lund
A "Light Blue" from Cambridge University, Ken Lund was one of the
best fast bowlers to play for Seattle in the 1970s, and also an effective
middle-order batsman. He was selected for the US Team to play Ireland, and won
the BCMCL McDonald Trophy for the top Divisional batting average in 1983 (the
only Seattle batsman to accomplish the feat in any BCMCL Division). Now living
in England.
Doug Martin
An Australian all-rounder, first a grad student and then a consultant in
Seattle, Doug added firepower to Seattle's fast bowling, but also scored
a lot of runs in his mid-order position...once, playing back to-back games for
Seattle, he scored 179 runs and took 12 wickets! Returned to Australia after
playing 4 seasons in Seattle.
Rick Sneeuwjagt
Inspite of his unpronounceable (Dutch) name, Rick was also an Aussie...a very
consistent fast bowler and a hard-hitting mid-order batsman. Together with Ken
Lund, Rick provided a potent opening attack for Seattle in the 1970s...and
since both bowlers wore multi-colored headbands, a distinctive one as well!
Rick played five seasons before returning to Australia, where he presently
resides.
John and Chris Burrell
A father-and-son team, John a tank commander in North Africa and a steady
batsman and Chris a fast bowler....the Burrell family were a colorful and
remembered part of the Seattle cricket scene thru the 70s, as they roared past
in their RV sporting the Union Jack. John is now deceased, and the whereabouts
of Chris are unknown.
Kathryn Habbestad
Official Scorekeeper for Seattle Cricket Club for 6 years in the 1970s, Kathryn
was the only person to hold the official title. Having mastered the Bill Frindall
system of advanced scorekeeping, Kathryn was also named official scorer for the
1978 USA-Canada test match. She kept score for the West Indies/India Test
Matches in Bombay and Calcutta, and was featured in a "Times of
India" article in Bombay, as well as INDIA-WEST in California.
She now lives in Bellevue.
Gerry Martin
From Cambridge University, one of the deepest leg-break bowlers for Seattle
(who could bounce his leg-breaks and googlies off the grass on a matting
wicket, and clean-bowl the confused batsmen!), Gerry was also a classic batsman
who could defend his stumps under the most difficult circumstances, He
captained Seattle in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Now a Marketing Manager at
Boeing, he occasionally plays in friendly matches.
Melvin Brady
A regular player from the mid-1970s all the way into the late '80s, successful
businessman Mel Brady still plays occasionally for Seattle and in
"friendly" games. A useful all-purpose cricketer and a strong
supporter of the club, Mel (along with Colin Daly ) was the
organizer and supporter of Seattle's Second Team ( see "History of Seattle
Cricket").
Duncan MacIntosh
Although he played for only one full season, Duncan was the only
official "guest player" to have played for Seattle. Captain of Scottish
Universities, a devastatingly accurate leg-cutter and hard-hitting middle
order batsman, he contributed greatly to Seattle's depleted line-up during his
summer vacation, with an excellent all-round performance. Went back to play for
MCC and Scotland, and still corresponds with old Seattle hands.
Emerson Rawlins
From St Kitts and Nevis, one of the best all-rounders to have played for
Seattle, in the 1980s....not only one of our fastest bowlers ever, but also a
top batsman averaging in his 40s in the First Division (2 or 3 centuries per
season). At 19, he was the youngest captain of Seattle’s first team, and served
for two years in that capacity. Emerson took 7 wickets against the MCC for a
BCMCL exhibition match, and was selected for US team trials. Now lives in
California.
Satish Gupta
Captain of Seattle CC for consecutive seasons and played for five years in the
1980s, Satish was a hard-hitting batsman who consistently scored runs,
an excellent fielder and a very effective medium-pace bowler. Taking over
Seattle CC's leadership at a point of decline, he helped to turn things around
by performance and leadership. Now lives in Bellevue, pursuing
"other priorities" (his words).
Vivian Harris
After George Lynch in the '70s, possibly the best
wicketkeeper-batsman to play for Seattle. A fluent, hard-hitting stroke player
from Granada who also displayed amazing skills behind the wickets, Vivian
captained SCC I for several years, established several records, was selected
for USA team trials, and was the architect of many Seattle victories in the
1980s. He occasionally played in the '90s as well, but has effectively retired
from Seattle cricket.
The Maycocks
Another father and son combo from England.....Peter was an excellent slow
left-arm bowler, his son a batsman who captained an under-13 County side...over
a 3-year period in the 1980s, they added spice and performance to Seattle
Cricket....they both played key roles in the defeat of Brockton Point, then
First Division champions, for the Fyfe-Smith Shield in 1984. Their whereabouts
are unknown.
The Honorable (Judge) Bruce Ridley
The only native-born American to captain AND play regularly for Seattle CC,
through the 1980s, Bruce Ridley was an unorthodox but effective batsman, a
solid wicket-keeper, and a successful captain, retiring prematurely because of
soccer injuries.
Bruce also served for two years as President of the club, and was an articulate
spokesman for cricket off the field. Now better known as The Honorable Judge
Bruce Ridley, he lives in Spokane.
Garnett Watson
From the late '70s through the early '90s, Garnett, from Jamaica, was
one of the most popular members of the Club.... always ready to play, a
hard-hitting batsman, and a supplier of transportation, libations and music from
his roomy van which became something of a trademark. Garnett left Seattle in
the early '90s, and now lives in Florida.
Miranda Pirzada
The only woman to have played consistently for Seattle in the past (over 6
years, in the 1980s), Miranda was awarded a bat by the club for her
performance....she was a top-class fielder, and her batting (self-taught) had
improved to the point where she could more than hold her own in any BCMCL
Division match. Miranda now owns and runs a tea-house in Seattle.
Peter and Valentine Gnanarajan
From the late 80s and into the early 90s, Peter and Valentine,
the Sri Lankan brothers, livened up the Seattle cricket scene with their
all-around performances. Originally part of the "junior-based" Third
Team (see "history"), they quickly graduated into the senior ranks...Valentine
even skippered the Second Team in his halcyon days. Present whereabouts unknown
for the past five years.
The Gannie Clan
In the late 1980s, the Gannie Clan from Guyana made a joint entry into
Seattle cricket...and, for a decade, became the largest family of active
cricketers in Seattle! Edan Gannie sparkled as a hard-hitting batsman, Gul
Gannie was a wicket-keeper and power hitter on various Seattle teams, Osman
and Omar Gannie were very useful all-rounders, and (last but by no means
least) John Gannie served as vice-captain and captain of SCC II, in
addition to his excellent all-around abilities. Their performances on and
off the field were memorable, often excellent, sometimes controversial, but
never commonplace.
Most of the Gannies no longer play regularly for Seattle--- John and Gul
have been recent exceptions----their absence has, to put it mildly, been felt
at Fort Dent.
Surinderjit Singh
Surinder played for Seattle for 25 years. A classic opening batsman and
slow-medium opening bowler, he established several batting records, was
selected to play for the USA, and captained several Seattle teams during his
quarter-century of SCC participation.
Geoff Haigh
For over 30 years, Geoff Haigh, from England, was an active member of the
Seattle Cricket Club. An unorthodox change bowler and a steady batsman, Geoff
has been Chairman of the Seattle Cricket Club and was founder of the SCC Third
team. He still plays regularly for Seattle III.
1950 TO PRESENT: SELECTIONS FOR NATIONAL HONORS
Altogether, SIX past and present members of Seattle Cricket Club have
officially represented the USA, in matches against Canada and other countries.
They are as follows:
1. JACK SURENDRANATH
Perhaps the Seattle cricketer who has been most recognized and honoured outside
Seattle. Bellevue CC science professor
and off-break bowler Jack Surendranath was selected 3 times to play for USA
against Canada. Jack's finest bowling performance came for the BCMCL against a
Kent team consisting of 6 Test players. He has also served on the governing
body of the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League for several years. Jack, who has served in almost every office
of the Seattle Cricket Club in the past 30 years, is also an official umpire
for the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League.
2. ASLAM KHAN,
3. SURINDERJIT SINGH,
4. JOHN SAVORY,
5. KEN LUND, and
6. KATHRYN HABBESTAD.
ASLAM KHAN and SURINDERJIT SINGH, were each selected once to play
for USA against Canada in the Late 1970s. The same applies to JOHN SAVORY
in 1966.
KEN LUND was selected to play for the USA against Ireland in 1973.