The Stella Select XI

A Cricketing history

History

Formed in 1981 by two members at Hampset cricket club, in Bloomfield Rise Odd Down, Bath. Hampset is a well-known and respected club in Bath, formed after the war. The idea was to create a social team to complement the activities of the First, Second and Third teams, which all played in various local leagues. The concept was very loose to start with, with odd occasional games during the season. Indeed, more than a few players were drafted, begged or borrowed form the second and third teams to play for ‘The Stella’s, as they quickly became known. The team rapidly gained a full fixture list, often having up to 20 fixtures a season, as in the present day. The first fixture was against Bathampton (in 1981,) the Stella’s oldest rivals, and what is deemed to be the Ashes match in the 2 or three times the teams meet in a season

Local Rules

The Stella’s ethos is to ‘try your best’, but have fun whilst doing so. This is seen as an antidote to the competitiveness of league cricket. Thus, to eliminate the law that would create most controversy at this level, the LBW law is abandoned entirely, though on a few famous occasions, Certain Stella batsmen have been given out deemed LBW when it was felt merited by the umpire at the time. Each team plays twenty overs, with all team members bowling 2 overs each. Wides are judged generously. When batting, usually the rule is that in the over the batsman reaches 25, he is requested to retire by his teammates. Umpires are usually recruited one from each competing team

Standard of Cricket

As stated, the emphasis is on fun, and a range of all cricketing abilities is encouraged. The Stella’s consider themselves to be a bit of a nursery for young up and coming cricketers, from the age of about 14, who are considered Stella academy players until they reach the age of 18, when they are also allowed to go on tour, and as a sort of active retirement home for those players who are in the twilight of their career, have become unfit for whatever reason, or just simply aren’t very good at cricket.

The Stellas usually win about 40% of games in a season, having a mixture of close games, easy wins and heavy defeats.

Touring

Since 1998, the Stellas have toured different locations to play two 40 over games over a weekend in July. The locations are as follows;

1998 Bridport. Shirts white.

1999 Bridport. Shirts white with red Stripe

2000 Bridport. Shirts Blue

2001 No tour

2002 Bridport. The ‘Tosspot’ Tour. This is the first officially named tour. Shirts white with big red 'IF' on back

2003 Bridport. The Treacle Tart Tour. Shirts yellow

2004 Minehead. The No-Nonsense Tour. Shirts white with blue collar and cuffs

2005 Minehead. The Deliverance Tour. Shirts cerise

2006 Edgbaston, Birmingham. The Jam Butty Tour. (Named in retrospect). Shirts orange

2007 Edgbaston, Birmingham. The Brumfest 07 Tour. Shirts grey

2008 Isle of Wight 'The decade of Decadence Tour TBC Shirts Black TBC

Generally, two games are played, normally against similar and better opposition. Results can fluctuate wildly, and LBWs and higher retirement scores come into play. A tour shirt is produced each year, which has seen pink and yellow shirts being produced some years. The ‘Jabba Trophy’ is played for each year, and presented to the winner of; initially a pitch and put, then putting, and in 2007 ten pin bowling. This is usually a hard fought contest, and winning this title is highly prized.

25th Anniversary Celebrations

2006 was the silver anniversary of the Stella’s, and a range of activities was arranged. Skittles and a quiz provided a run in to a very special match, a forty over game pitting the ‘Current Stella’s against the ‘Silver Stellas’, featuring past Stella heroes. In an entertaining match, the Silver Stellas’ came out convincingly on top in a match that was reported on in the Bath Chronicle

Website

This was a new innovation in 2006, and it provides a wealth of information, archives, match reports, statistics and averages. In 2007 a forum was introduced for the slightly faster dissemination of information, chat and ideas. It also makes the chairman of selectors job slightly easier.

Humour

An integral part of life in the Stella’s, much stall is set by all kinds of humour, from dry one-liners to somewhat childish pranks and childishness. The attempting of accents is a current favourite, as is the continual regurgitation of 1970’s Humour, particularly around Bovril jokes. The team also sledges itself whilst on the field to a high degree of withering sophistication. Nicknames are de rigueur.

The Future

Presently the Stellas are thriving, with over 25 squad members, all eager to play, and an ever-increasing fixture list. The Stellas always happy to accommodate touring teams who wish to visit Bath, and welcome contact in this regard.

Links

http://www.stellaselectxi.com The Stella's Website and Forum

http://members.aol.com/Hampset/ Hampset Cricket club

http://www.thisisbath.com/ The Bath Chronicle