Thiarra, oooh oh oh. Thiarra, oooh oh oh.

He hits the ball for four, his batting we adore.

Thiarra, oooh oh oh. Thiarra, oooh oh oh.

He hits the ball for six, he makes them look like..... well, you get the idea with that one. With these lyrics did the Elstow Barmy Army serenade the defining innings of The Elstow Ashes. Hani Thiarra hit a  delightful and, crucially, timely 85 that changed the shape of the match. Australia had dominated proceedings, the home team were 50-7 and the best part of eighty runs behind when Thiarra, bat twirling like a scimitar, strode to the crease. What followed was the stuff of legend.

The gathered masses looked on admiringly as the ball was struck sweetly to every part of The Warren. The Elstow Barmy Army lapped it up. The Australians, so buoyant till then, seemed to have have the energy sapped from them. A multitude of maximums later and the lead and the momentum belonged to Elstow. Sadly, the crowds would have to come back another day to see his maiden century but were given a sumptuous taste of what is to come from this cricketing prodigy.

A starring role in the The Elstow Ashes apart, Hani is one of several young guns at the club who will (we hope) be the nucleus of future Elstow sides. In addition to his exciting batting, Hani bowls right arm medium fast, an asset which made him an integral part of the 2008 FCCL Division Six title winning team. He also plays golf, which lets be honest, pays better than cricket; but, do you get to have your name sung to the heavens by a sunburnt, drunken rabble? Come on big lad, The Warren's where it's at...

HW August 2009