It might only be a social game of cricket, but this battle, the LEXUS OF ADELAIDE 20/20 is shaping up to be a battle for bragging rights, as who knows when the next encounter of this kind will take place. The game, a lead up to the club's 75 Year Anniversary Dinner, on Saturday 19 January 2008 is set to contain some action packed cricket action.

When: Next Tuesday 15 January 2008

Where: Park 15 (the other side of Dequetteville Terrace, opposite the Royal Coach Motor Inn)

When: 5pm start (innings change over from 6:15pm to 6:45pm).

The teams have been selected from the club's current active playing stocks and players have been approached to play in this game in order of games played (to the end of the 2006/07 season). Teams have been selected on the basis of experience, well, let's cut to the chase and say age.

Without revealing the ages of particular individuals, I can say that the "Chopper" Read XII has an average age of 36 and the Marantos XII comes in some 11 years younger at 25. But as they say, experience counts for everything and during their careers with PAOCCC, "Chopper's" XII have twice as many games (1,067 compared to 513), almost twice as many runs (21,640 to 11,647) and almost three times as many wickets (1,080 to 344).

"Chopper" Read needs no introduction having captained three premierships during the 1990' and 2000's. Joining him include successful club batsmen in Greg "Hammer" Stirling, Shane "Rubbo" Roberts, Ben "Cunners" Cunningham and Nick "Billy T Goat" Fenwick. Dave "Where's" Gerner will take the gloves and add some lusty middle order hitting and adding to this, A-Grade all-rounders "Chriiiiis" Drew and Marcus "Ox" Wills and the bowling guile of Ben "BAD" Allen, "Postman" Pat Ryan and "Crazy" Jack Brabham and it is a line-up sure to put up a good show. With "Chopper" losing the pre match toss already and being sent into the field, this seems to be a great ploy with the addition of super-sub and Redbacks all-rounder, Mark Cleary, expected to arrive just in time to bat who will no doubt add some entertaining hitting on the postage stamp Park 15.

The "Chopper" Read XII (possible batting order)

1. Gregory R. Stirling (158.5 games, 3,959 runs @ 20.41, 18 wickets @ 19.72)

2. Shane A. Roberts (102.5 games, 1,597 runs @ 11.74, 55 wickets @ 24.13)

3. Aaron N. Read (c) (138.5 games, 3,300 runs @ 20.89, 10 wickets @ 29.20)

4. Christopher R. Drew (69 games, 1,916 runs @ 24.56, 126 wickets @ 20.95)

5. Ben S. Cunningham (68.5 games, 2,456 runs @ 27.91, 8 wickets @ 36.75)

6. David B. Gerner (38 games, 928 runs @ 23.20, 11 wickets @ 37.91)

7. Peter M. King (wk)

8. Marcus O. Wills (131 games, 3,562 runs @ 25.08, 229 wickets @ 19.91)

9. Patrick J. Ryan (42 games, 420 runs @ 14.00, 94 wickets @ 19.09)

10. Antony A.D. Brabham (115.5 games, 1,235 runs @ 13.42, 254 wickets @ 20.65)

11. Benjamin D. Allen (155.5 games, 1,273 runs @ 12.24, 261 wickets @ 21.41)

12. Mark Cleary

"Chopper's" opposing number Alex "Swine" Marantos, is fast approaching 100 club games and is in fine touch after his maiden A-Grade hundred on the weekend. Joining him will be club batsman Ben "Rosey" Rosenzweig, Sam "Styles" Tyler, Tim "Steve" McQueen and Club Secretary, Brad "Great White Hope" Weidenhofer. Tim "Huddo" Hudson and David "Burra" Reed will add all-round talent and Michael "Puss" Richardson will take the gloves and try his best at slogging in the late order. Matt "Mexican" Thomas and "Daveeeeeeee" Larkins will be likely to take the new ball. And last but not least, the trump card, Michael "Siiiiiic" Siciliano has been added to the squad as a specialist bowler, having shown career best form in the 20/20 form of the game and will no doubt tempt some of the big hitting middle order from the "Chopper" Read XII. In addition, the Marantos XII may yet coax a celebrity super sub but this will be confirmed over the coming days.

The Marantos XII (possible batting order):

1. Bradley R. Weidenhofer (51 games, 1,310 runs @ 21.83, 11 wickets @ 26.18)

2. Timothy C. Hudson (31.5 games, 324 runs @ 9.26, 43 wickets @ 15.49)

3. Benjamin R. Rosenzweig (73 games, 1,593 runs @ 16.77, 21 wickets @ 19.00)

4. Sam Tyler (40 games, 1,109 runs @ 25.20, 12 wickets @ 39.58)

5. Alexander Marantos (85 games, 2,474 runs @ 24.25, 37 wickets @ 24.54)

6. Timothy D. McQueen (35 games, 740 runs @ 16.82, 8 wickets @ 24.75)

7. Michael J. Richardson (52 games, 1,253 runs @ 20.54, 17 wickets @ 21.94)

8. Michael C.C. Siciliano (40 games, 1,125 runs @ 20.83, 33 wickets @ 17.24)

9. David M. Reed (31.5 games, 691 runs @ 18.68, 51 wickets @ 26.37)

10. Matthew D. Thomas (31.5 games, 415 runs @ 14.82, 46 wickets @ 25.48)

11. David J. Larkins (36 games, 413 runs @ 12.52, 65 wickets @ 18.28)

12. Tim Weatherald

The club has also secured two officials for the game, first-class umpire Simon Fry, a former player of the club and Chris Hollard, a current District umpire who also played for the club.

The game promises to be a great spectacle and training has been cancelled in order to enable players to come out and watch. There will be a BBQ and drinks available on the night. There will also be a great prize on offer for the first person to "catch a 6" and an award for the first person to deposit a ball in the Magic Faraway Tree. And there is a rumour that a pink ball, straight from the International Cricket Council, might be in use on the night, replacing the more favoured white ball.

The match will be filmed by Tyson Smith "Crisps" and Tom "Can't" Phillips and a short highlights package will be shown at the 75 Year Anniversary Dinner.

Please encourage all past players, family and friends to come out and watch some entertaining cricket from the PAOCCC.