5 questions with... James Hunt
The Hunts are an Acton CC dynasty, and arguably the most decorated player in the familly is James. Now the 1st XI’s (reluctant) senior pro, Jambo has been a mainstay and key member of Acton’s 1st XI for not too far off 20 years, which has included two stints and four seasons as captain and another four as vice captain. Initially a nippy opening bowling all rounder, Jambo has occupied just about every position in the side during his long stint in Acton’s 1st XI, much of which was played alongside cousin Keith. A fierce competitor and highly talented all round cricketer, Jambo is the subject of our latest 5 Questions….
- How and when did you first join Acton?
My Dad (Dennis) and Uncle Phil joined the club in the mid 70s so I was kind of born into it! I officially joined the colts under the guidance of John Lodge when I was 10 (1989) and made my way through the age groups. My first senior game was when I was 11 over at North Acton for the “Extras 3rds”, or 4ths as we know them today. ACC legend Roy Braithwaite, who would always encourage the youngsters, was captain that day.
What is your proudest Acton moment?
Runners up in the 2015 ACC darts championship! That aside, there have been too many to single out just one, so here are a couple of moments that do stick out:
- 2003 cup double. This is most likely never to happen again but in 2003 the 1st XI got ourselves into two cup finals, The Ibex League Cup and The Middlesex Federation Vase. Both finals being played over one weekend and we won both: it truly was a memorable weekend.
- Winning the league in my first year as Club Captain in 2006 was special for obvious reasons
- And more recently being part of the side that won promotion back to Div 2 in 2014
During such a long stint in Acton’s 1s, what have been the most notable changes you’ve seen?
Tough one but one of the biggest changes has been the attitude towards Sunday cricket, and that’s not just at Acton but seems to be across most teams. When I started in the 1st team if you didn’t play on Sunday you were most likely not going to get picked the following Saturday! To our credit, we do field a strong side on Sundays but trying to find decent opposition has proven difficult. In terms of on the pitch, there is more “sledging” now, although I’m not I should be highlighting this! In terms of standard of cricket, I don’t think there has been a massive shift. Last year in Div 2 the standard was very good but having said that I’m pretty sure most of the guys that played regular 1s cricket since the mid 90s would have more than held their own.
Who has been your toughest opponent?
Over the years there have been a few individuals that have proven to be outstanding players. Theo Modeste, Nick Compton, Duncan Wood to name a few that on their day were too much, but in terms of rivalry, competitiveness and ability I’d have to go for Carlos Nunes of Twickenham. Over the years we have had some of the most fiercely competed games against them, some we won, some we lost, but without fail we shared a beer after. Carlos was and still is an outstanding cricketer: he could bat, bowl and keep wicket all to a very high standard. At this point I have to mention JP Cronje! Although not as talented as Carlos, JP and I would often have an ongoing war of words on the cricket field. One game when I was batting with Baz, I was non striker and JP and I were going at it, so much so Baz threatened to walk off the pitch and as politely as he could said “will you two shut the f@#k up!”. Even after all that JP and I would laugh about it over a beer.
And finally, who is in your all time ACC XI?
Now this isn’t easy! Do I pick my mates? Do I pick the team that would be great in the bar after? I’ve picked my 11 as if I was picking it was a league game. So, only 1 overseas
1. Steve Basterfield (Baz)
Ok he is my best mate but don’t let that fool you. Baz was an outstanding opening bat and during a period of 20 years for the club no one scored more runs. Not a flamboyant batsman but one that valued his wicket and built an innings from a solid base.
2. Arron Taggart (pin head, Tags)
For 3 years I batted 3 watching these two bat. I actually spent more time in my pads watching in those 3 years than I did batting. A great opening pair, 1 left, 1 right, they would nick singles on the square with little more than a nod to each other. Tags wasn’t what you would call a naturally talented bat but through practice turned himself into a great opening bat.
3. Steve Jones *overseas (Jonah)
Jonah was an outstanding batsman and went on to be a great skipper for the club, gaining promotion to the Prem for the first and thus far only time. Unfortunately Jonah went back home before having the chance to play in the top division, a level that he would have excelled in
4. Yasir Mehmood (Yogi)
Yogi is simply outstanding, without doubt one of the best players I’ve every played with. Not only is he super talented but he is the most knowledgeable cricketer I know. Feared by all teams we play, Yogi will continue to excel for the 1s for a few years yet
5. Michael Jadunath (wacko)
Mike was pure elegance, technically outstanding and a pleasure to watch. When on song he would take a bowling attack apart on his own. One of those batsman that as a bowler you don’t mind having a tight hamstring.
6. John Reeve (FB, bloke, JR, LALA G, Belly)
JR was my first 1st XI captain and gave me that chance in the 1s. I know this because he never lets me forget! If you joined the club post 2000 you would know JR as a slow off spinner who takes plenty of wickets and moans at the batsman when he has to pad up. However, I remember JR as a batsman all-rounder who bowled brisk medium pace! Some may not realise this but I think JR is 2nd in the all time runs scorers charts for Acton (not sure if he overtook Baz in the last few seasons). In either form post or pre JR would be in this side.
7. Keith Hunt (CB)
Another all-rounder in the side. Like myself, CB has grown up around the club. Batting wise CB had a purple patch in the early 2000s where he regularly scored well and in 1 particular year scored over 1000 runs but I (and he will probably disagree) have always thought he was a better bowler. Often having to give up choice of ends to Matty, Keith was key in that first year I captained the 1s to promotion. An outstanding and consistent off spinner
8. Robin Singh (Singhy)
In terms of natural talent Singhy was without the most talented player I’ve ever played with. He used to put the fear of God into batsman with his pace (I hated facing him at winter nets) and with bat in hand he was very aggressive. One highlight I will never forget was playing the last game of the league season at Old Actonians needing to win to win the league we required 11 off the last 3 ball, Rob went 4, 4, 4. Queue pitch invasion.
9. Sunil Ghumra (Sunny, Sunhill)
Sunil reminds me of Rob. Just an unbelievable talent. He could do it all, bowl with good pace, capable of scoring a match winning score and without doubt the best fielder I’ve played with, he could catch pigeons. Twice during my time as Captain Sunil came a close second to player of the year, looking back, he deserved 1 of those
10. Gary King *wkt (Kingy)
When describing how good Kingy was its easy for others to think you’re exaggerating at just how good he was. Standing up to the stumps Kingy was second to none, taking at least a couple of stumping off the bowling of Singhy! The funny thing is, he was often a better keeper after 2 Bacardi and cokes!
11. Matty Turnell (Turmoil, Hammocks, stubby)
What can I say that hasn’t been said already. If anyone in this 11 could play at a very high level then it’s Matty. Matty got better with age and at times was probably to good for his own health! It was so easy for a Captain to throw matt the ball and ask him to bowl 15-20 overs on the bounce. Only last season when called up for one game in the 1s Matty turns in a 7fer to win the game. Quite simply, the best.
Honourable mentions, including overseas:
- Olly Harvey
- Alex Brennan
- Matty Reeve
- Madu Soysa
- Richard Hernan
- Dan Lynch
- Mansur Ali
- Mark Lotter
- Don Fyfe
- Dave Biddle
- Mark Pozniak
- Duarte Marques
- Andy Guiton
- Rian Mckee
- Ian Reeve
- Vish Jadunath