This will be the first of a number of games the Hyderabad veterans are playing a number on the Melbourne leg of their Australian tour.

Hyderabad may be best known in Australia as the home of the Deccan Chargers team in the Indian Premier League. Former Australian test wicketkeeper, Adam Gilchrist is captain of the Chargers and Andrew Symonds also played with them in the last IPL series.  The strong Australian connection is also evident in the coach of the Deccan Chargers  -  Darren Lehman

Veteran status for the Indian team is 40 years of age or more. ( Although the Eccentrics have been given dispensation to field a team that may include non-veterans. )

This 40 over match will be staged on the main oval at Melbourne University.  Players should gather at the ground by 11.30am for 12.00 noon start.

Spectators and friends are cordially welcome for this first fixture of 2010, and players are invited to register to play in the usual way, ie. by clicking on the link at the Fixtures, Social Matches page.

Hume and Hovell ground, Strath Creek

Results from the first few games of season 2009/2010 are now online.

Go to the match results pages, or click on the links to see  details of both Sunday social and Melbourne mid-week competition matches contested by the mighty Eccentrics.

And in other news we’re pleased to confim the commissioning of a perpetual trophy – the Don McQueen cup – to commemorate games with the Hume and Hovell Explorers.

This year will mark the 10th year in a row of games between the Explorers and the Eccentrics at the picturesque Hume and Hovell ground near Strath Creek in central Victoria.

For more information on the facilities, cricket camps and accomodation available there go to www.humeandhovell.com.au

Last but not least, we’re pleased to confirm a raffle amongst the players after the season-opening game against the John Kellett XI raised  $100 for the McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Research Project.

For more information on the McGrath Foundation go to www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au

The donation is being matched by the club’s community partner in the Rotary Club of Fitzroy.

Gideon Haigh

John Harms

John Harms and Gideon Haigh delighted and enthralled the crowd with tall tales and true from the recent Ashes series.

Marney McQueen

And internationally renowned Australian actor – Marney McQueen wowed everyone with a performance drawn from the one woman cabaret show she devised and presented to such acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival this year – Rosa Waxes Lyrical.

Rosa Wax, Marney’s creation, has been described as “the Russian celebrity beautician,  the diva of depilation, the princess of plucking and preening, the grand dame of defoliation.”

Check out Marney’s web-site at www.marneymcqueen.com to learn more about this prodigously talented Australian.

A full report soon from master of ceremonies, and Lord of eccentricity – Pete Hille.

Eccentrics Lord, Peter Hille, welcomed the latest addition to the season’s fixture.

“The Eccentrics are more than happy to test the mettle of the hard-nosed Spring Streeters.”

However he said he feared the game could have ‘significant ramifications’.

“They say that sport and politics don’t mix. Well, for those in our ranks with political aspirations, this is an opportunity to test yourself against some of the slickest wordsmiths and most ruthless hatchet men in the business. We’ll provide the pitch – they’ll provide the spin !!”

Selection for the match versus the Victorian Govt XI will be conducted via pre-selection ballot, party endorsement, campaign management and finally plebiscite. Remember if you register now and then withdraw it may cause a by-election.

Sign-up to play in the usual way by clicking on the link on the Social Matches page under Fixtures.

Or click on this link to go straight to the Eccentrics v Victorian Government XI sign-up page.

If you like their stuff you can grab more from their website at www.dlmethod.com

The Duckworth Lewis Method

Dizzy who claimed 200+ Test wickets for the Aussies as well as making a double -hundred said he was in a spin at the opportunity to play the Eccentrics because Spike Milligan was always one of his favorites.

Members wishing to face up to Dizzy can register via the link on the Fixtures – Social Matches page.

Mr Stephen Fry, noted English actor and cricket lover, has accepted our request to act as club patron.