Where are they now? Edgware Cricket Club's Original XI

If you've followed Edgware Cricket Club long enough, you'll be well aware of the famous story that took place on Sunday 5th July 2015. Edgware Cricket Club's first ever team, a side made up of old school friends and last minute ringers, stepped onto the field against Watford Town Cricket Club. Set an unlikely 192 to win off 40 overs, smart money would have been on Watford. However, as it would turn out, Edgware would be crowned winners courtesy of a final over six by number 10 batsman Sajith Sriwickramasekaran and the rest as they say is history!

Whilst the story of this famous victory is often shared, how much do we know about the Original XI that stepped onto the field that day and how many of them went onto have stellar club careers? We thought we'd take a look.

Ciaran Hosty (Captain)

Edgware's captain that day was Ciaran Hosty who made 10 batting at number four and even bowled an over (but the less said about that the better). Ciaran has gone on to play over 100 matches for the club and was of course club captain until 2020 before stepping down from the role.

Sajith Sriwickramasekaran (Vice-Captain)

Edgware's vice-captain was Sajith Sriwickramasekaran. Sajith opened the bowling against Watford and took Edgware's first ever wicket. Having not picked up a bat in several years before the game, Sajith elected to bat himself at 10. His quality with the willow showed immediately though as he hit his first ball for six to win the match and secure a famous first for Edgware Cricket Club. Sajith has gone onto make 100+ appearances for the boys in blue and is the current club captain having taken over from Ciaran Hosty ahead of the 2021 season.

Nakul Jilka

Nakul Jilka was just a spring chicken when he made his Edgware debut and opened the batting alongside Jude Saverus. However, it wasn't his batting that will be remembered from this game. The Edgware opener made just 5 with the bat but took 2-31 off 7 overs with the ball to restrict Watford below the 200 mark. As any Edgware fan will know, Nakul has gone on to have an incredible career with Edgware, passing 3,000 club runs in September 2022 to go along with 80+ wickets and 56 catches.

Alpesh Gorsia

Alpesh Gorsia was in sparkling form when he joined Edgware in 2015. Edgware's paceman took match-best figures of 3/33 in his allotted 8 overs against Watford Town and would go on to be Edgware's Player's Player of the Year in 2015. Unfortunately for Alpesh, he missed the 2018 and 2019 season through injury, however he's still gone on to take 59 club wickets which puts him tied-7th on the all-time leading wicket-taker list alongside Raj Parmar.

Sunny Halai

Sunny Halai was a late recruit for the game against Watford Town and despite a tough start with the ball in hand, delivered some essential late-order hitting, scoring 21 off 12 deliveries to motor Edgware towards the 192-run target. Since then, Sunny has been an integral part of Edgware's success, with 600+ club runs and 20+ club wickets in over 30 club appearances.

Divyang Kerai

Divyang Kerai may not be a familiar name amongst Edgware cricket fans. Drafted into the squad by Shrikant Kerai, Divyang is an established member of local cricket club, Swamibapa and has fledged a successful club career for the Nairobi-linked club. Divyang played a steady innings in Edgware's famous victory against Watford Town, scoring 26 off 38 deliveries and providing some much needed stability in the middle order.

Shrikant Kerai

Shrikant Kerai was Edgware's number three in their first ever fixture and the classy right hander made a pivotal 41 off 45 deliveries and set a strong foundation in Edgware's chase. He was also pretty handy with the ball, opening the bowling and conceding just 14 runs in an 8 over spell that included three maidens but no wickets. Shrikant has appeared on occasion for Edgware since then, making just 7 appearances. Instead, Shrikant has captained Swamibapa Cricket Club and had a successful career at the Kingsbury-based club.

Prashant Pindolia

Prashant Pindolia was a one-hit wonder until the 2022 season, having made his only appearance in Edgware's fixture against Watford Town. With the ball, Prashant was economical, having conceded 37 runs in 8 overs against Watford and taking a single wicket. With the bat, Prashant was at his destructive best as he sped his way to 22 off 13 balls in pursuit of Edgware's target. Prashant would wait 7 years until his next appearance and has gone on to score 200+ club runs and taken 4 club wickets in 9 appearances.

Jude Saverus

Recent hall-of-famer Jude Saverurs made his debut for Edgware Cricket Club in the midst of career-best form on the club village circuit. The attapatu-cum-boycott opener was at his resilient best against Watford and scored 34 off 62 deliveries as he and Shrikant Kerai put on 73 for the second wicket. Jude went on to make 477 club runs for Edgware and took 50 club wickets in a 71-game career that ended in July 2022 when the great man retired from club cricket.

Nabeel Shahid

Throughout the early years of Edgware Cricket Club history, Nabeel Shahid was a constant presence on and off the field. If you'd had believed the rumours spread by the Edgware team at the time, you would be under the impression that Nabeel played Under-15 cricket for the Pakistani National Cricket Team. However, if you subsequently watched Nabeel play in his eventual five Edgware appearances, you would know that this was total bollocks. Despite never making a single run for Edgware, he will be best remembered for his 0 not out against Totteridge Millhillians off 5 deliveries, wearing a thigh guard as a box against Monken Hadley and the quirky stat that he was on the winning side in 4 of his 5 Edgware appearances.

Kashyap Varsani (wk)

Last but not least was Edgware's first ever and perhaps best-ever wicket-keeper Kashyap Varsani. Kashyap played a starring role in Edgware's first ever win by keeping expertly and taking two smart catches to remove the in-form batsman Sandeep Vipeh who made 57 for Watford. With the bat, Kashyap guided Edgware across the finish line by making 20 not out off 19 deliveries and had the best seat in the house as Sajith struck the match winning six. Kashyap's appearances has been few and far between since 2015 and has turned out for Edgware just 8 times. Despite this, Kashyap has scored 160+ runs and taken 9 catches behind the stumps.