ha ha

[quote user="jc" post="105079"]That would have been slightly too disrespectful, Seggy.

Sorry, Ali: misspelling changed above. Oreniyorum- Afedersiniz.[/quote]

All good, baby.

THE BALL IS OFFICIALLY ROLLING...many thanks to all those who have replied.

I now have a database of 28 names including Ali "Sir Donald" Arikan and Steven Star(12th)Man, but also including some very able cricketers. Hopefully, if we get a pitch we can take this to the next level, and in any event there is likely to be a tour to Ankara next year when we get to bowl Oz Kanka out for a duck (or was it one, Oz?).

If anyone else is interested- you are more than welcome to participate (whatever skill level you are). Just PM me your full name, e-mail address and residency status in Turkey.

I am off now to cultivate a WG Grace type beard.

unfortunately I beat you to the WG Grace - as a side note, when I was younger I used to wear a brand of jeans (can't remember the name) that had a picture of WG Grace on the inside pocket provided to store contraceptive devices.

i'm in

Just been to a surreal meeting with the official head of the Turkish Cricket Federation down at the Genclik ve Spor headquarters. The bloke is extremely enthusiastic about establishing the sport in Turkey and even has an assistant. Only hassle was that neither of them have ever seen a cricket match. Doesn't matter, Syed from Pakistan is organising the whole thing and he certainly does know his cricket. Basically, it looks like they are going to get a few friendly comps going starting in the spring, both in Istanbul and Ankara. A bloke from the European Cricket Council is coming to Ankara next week to advise us how to get everything going. In regards to grounds to play at in Istanbul, I remember there was a thread here ages ago about suitable places to play but no-one really had any idea about how to go about it. This is perhaps the one area where the TCF head can help.

Oh, and by the way my career in Turkey average (five innings) is five.

Did you tell the head of the federation that? Was he impressed?

I said it was like scoring on average five goals a match.

Having been a cricket widow and chief sandwich maker in the past (dim and distant and that wasn't due to rain stopping play), I
never thought I'd say that I'd love to go and watch some cricket, but I'm saying it now!
Keen to sit in a comfy chair very near the bar and pay close attention, so let me know when it's all happening!?

Seggiest, get your arse into gear and write the report you promised on the "reception" last week.

I was still waiting for the photos - I'll write it tomorrow

....I was actually hoping that if I waited long enough, you'd write it!

.... at least thats what I told jc

Arikan and Seggy to open the batting for the Efesanes (deliberate misspelling by the way)?

I have spoken with the great Syed and (following a few behind the scenes machinations) will make an announcement in the New Year. However, so far the news is very positive for cricket in Istanbul...

Born2b- your enthusiasm noted. I am aiming to recruit a crack team of cheerleaders/sandwichmakers for some of the up and coming tournaments next year. Starman has even promised to shave his legs and dust down his pom poms in anticipation.