Pete Phoenix

By Andrew Townsin - January 5 2010
Pete Phoenix
Former Baston Captain Pete Phoenix sadly passed away on December 30th 2009. Baston CC Chairman and Pete's former teammate Andrew Townsin pays tribute here.

As some of you are aware club stalwart Pete Phoenix sadly passed away over the Christmas period, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

 

Pete was the quintessential Baston cricketer – Portly and always stood his jug! 

He joined us several aeons ago from Crowland CC (the reasons for him leaving are cloaked in the mists of time but I'd like to thank Geoff Walton) and immediately became an integral part of the team.   

 

As a player, inevitably in his old dirty and smelly sun visor that assumed mythical proportions within the team, he was an exceptional left arm spinner who (unusually for a Baston tweaker) actually turned the ball and a batsman of more bravery than talent or eyesight! 

 

One of my favourite memories of him is after having the aforementioned headgear knocked off by a West Indian quickie at the shrine and then walking down the pitch to the next ball and hitting it straight back over the bowlers head – typical of the man.

 

Pete was the most popular and committed Captain I have played for, fostering the Baston spirit (that Tim has managed to successfully resurrect) whilst selflessly preparing the wicket.  He also had a stubborn curmudgeonly side which we loved, on one famous occasion he continually no-balled Johnny Bloomfield for throwing - also making him the bravest man I know!  

 

He was a hero to us all and the cry of “Phoenix, Phoenix” became a regular refrain around local cricket grounds often accompanied by waving of the pig banner constructed in his honour.

From all your friends at Baston – “Goodbye Pete, kiss the Pig”

 

 

Andrew Townsin

Baston CC Chairman

 

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