🦆 The Duck Pond

The season's final fixture, and the Duck Club still found time for one last piece of business before the covers go on for winter. 1st XI v Bidborough CC (home) Batting at six, Stuart Cheesman fell to a smart take by Rob Pritchard off the bowling of S Browning — the sole duck recorded this round, and a fittingly quiet way for the campaign to sign off. It's their first of the 2000 season, and the 29th of an increasingly distinguished career spanning 230 innings, good enough for 31st on the all-time list of 1261. Position six is nothing new for them either — they're already enshrined in the exclusive Full House club, having contrived a duck at every single position from 1 to 11, a feat of comprehensive non-scoring few will ever match. They're also a card-carrying member of the Debutante Duck fraternity from a first innings long since consigned to history, and a two-time Duck of the Year, back in 1994 and 1996, when this sort of thing was still a novelty rather than a habit. It clearly runs in the family too — their parent Fred Cheesman has amassed 34 career ducks of their own, and sibling Steve isn't far behind on 13, a proper household tradition of walking back without troubling the scorers. Fittingly, on this very day back in 1956, Basil Sears also made a duck against Linton Park CC, part of a 1947–1975 career that yielded 33 ducks and 24th place in the all-time rankings — the calendar clearly has a soft spot for late-September noughts. Week in summary One match, one duck, and a tidy full stop on a season that's given the club plenty to celebrate in its own peculiar way. Quality over quantity this week — sometimes the exclusive zero club prefers a single, well-crafted dismissal to a rabble. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Stewart Morrison — 5 ducks, 28 innings, 17.86% - Richard Ellis — 4 ducks, 20 innings, 20.0% - Daniel Thirkell — 4 ducks, 26 innings, 15.38% - Richard Piper — 4 ducks, 26 innings, 15.38% - Trevor Back — 3 ducks, 18 innings, 16.67% Stewart Morrison holds the crown as the campaign draws to a close, but with Richard Ellis's ominous 20% strike rate lurking, nothing is settled until the last bail's off. See you all again come the new season — the ducks never truly stop, they just migrate for winter. 🍩🏏0️⃣

Two fixtures on the books this weekend and the exclusive zero club welcomed three new entries, all arriving via the same unfortunate route: the 2nd XI's away day at Elliotts CC. A place of dubious distinction indeed. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI away to Elliotts CC The rot set in at four, where Simon Thirkell edged behind, caught Gary Buckle off Alan Ricketts. His second duck of the season and 37th of an increasingly storied career, vaulting him to 17th in the all-time charts. Simon is a paid-up member of the "50 Before a 50" club — 59 career ducks and still chasing that elusive half-century — and sits proudly among the Duck of the Year alumni of 1983, as well as the Ducks on the Road and Tourist Duck top tens, both entirely apt given today's postcode. Keeping it in the family, on this very same calendar day back in 1972 his own brother Tim Thirkell also strolled back for nought, against West Farleigh CC — the Thirkell name being something of a duck dynasty, with siblings Tim (68) and Nigel (55) and a small poultry farm of relatives besides. One ball later, at five, Trevor Back joined him, caught Max Wasson off the same relentless Ricketts. His third of the season lifts him to 55 career ducks, good for 7th on the all-time list — a rarefied altitude occupied by very few. Trevor holds down spots on the Ducks on the Road and Homebody Duck top tens simultaneously, a masterclass in consistency of a very particular kind, home or away. He too finds company in Tim Thirkell's nought of 23rd September 1972 against West Farleigh CC — evidently a fine day for ducks in Linton Park history. The collapse continued at seven as Dave Todd was trapped lbw by Phil Patterson, his second duck of the season and 15th of his career, moving to 58th in the all-time standings. And yes, on this same date in 1972, Tim Thirkell was once again making a nought of himself against West Farleigh — the man really did have a thing for late September. 📅 Week in Summary Three ducks from two matches, all concentrated in one unforgiving over-and-a-bit at Elliotts CC — Alan Ricketts claiming two of the three scalps in successive balls, a fine display of triumph through adversity from the Duck Club's perspective if not the batting order's. Sunday's fixture, mercifully, passed without incident. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Stewart Morrison — 5 ducks in 28 innings (17.86%) - Richard Ellis — 4 ducks in 20 innings (20.0%) - Daniel Thirkell — 4 ducks in 25 innings (16.0%) - Richard Piper — 4 ducks in 25 innings (16.0%) - Trevor Back — 3 ducks in 18 innings (16.67%) Three names within touching distance at the top, with the season drawing in and the race for the crown very much alive. Roll on next weekend — the ducks, as ever, will be watching for their chance.

A quiet week down at Linton Park. One match played, and — almost unbelievably — not a single soul troubled the Duck Club's membership secretary. Every bat in the fixture found a run, however scratchy, however streaky, and the ledger stays untouched. The exclusive zero club held no induction ceremony this week. No golden ducks, no king pairs, no father-and-son ignominy on the honours board. Just eleven (or so) batters quietly, unglamorously, getting off the mark. Frankly, it's a bit boring. Somewhere, the sport's finest purveyors of the art of not scoring will be furious to have missed their chance. Rest assured, normal service is expected to resume shortly — a golden duck is never more than one indiscreet waft outside off stump away. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 🥇 1. Stewart Morrison — 5 ducks, 28 innings (17.86%) 2. Richard Ellis — 4 ducks, 20 innings (20.00%) 3. Richard Piper — 4 ducks, 24 innings (16.67%) 4. Daniel Thirkell — 4 ducks, 25 innings (16.00%) 5. Mike Elworthy — 3 ducks, 26 innings (11.54%) Richard Ellis currently leads on strike rate — a genuinely dangerous position to occupy, with the highest percentage of the pack and clearly not planning on relinquishing top spot for the year without a fight. Stewart Morrison holds top spot on raw numbers and will want to keep the gap healthy as the season heads toward its final overs. 🏏 Onward to the next fixture, where — statistically speaking — someone, somewhere, is due. The ducks can't hide forever. See you at the crease. 0️⃣

A quieter week in the exclusive zero club, but two names still found their way onto the slate across four fixtures. Standards, as ever, maintained. Saturday 9th September — 1st XI v Bearsted CC Daniel Thirkell strode out at first drop and made a proper fist of it, grinding out 12 balls before finally succumbing c Andy Naish b Peter Court. No golden duck here — he earned his nought the honest way. It's his 4th of the season and 15th of a fine career spanning 161 innings, lodging him at 57th of 1261 in the all-time table and keeping his season on the boil. A paid-up member of the Tourist Duck top 10, Daniel clearly travels well for his noughts as much as his runs. On this very day in 1977, Andrew Moss (1968–1987, 10 career ducks) was doing much the same against Cornwall Crusaders — a fellow Retirement Duck club honouree, proof the calendar has form for these things. Worth noting Daniel bats in illustrious company off the pitch too — the Thirkell name fills the honours board several times over, with John (90), Tim (68), Nigel (55) and others all card-carrying members. A family enterprise of the very particular kind. Wednesday 13th September — Midweek XI v Lord Cornwallis XI Russell Baldwin went cheaply at first wicket down, c J Cornwallis b S-Ives, for his 3rd duck of the season and 3rd of a still-young 31-innings career, settling at 214th of 1261 all-time. No honours board entries yet, but the ledger is open. Neatly enough, on this exact day back in 1975 it was John Thirkell — yes, kin to Saturday's Daniel — making his own duck against Southborough CC, one stop on the way to a staggering 90 career ducks and top spot in the all-time standings. Some names just keep turning up. Week in summary Just the two ducks from four matches — the birds mostly stayed in hiding this week, with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th XIs all keeping their sides duck-free. Consistency of a very particular kind, just not the kind we're chasing. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Stewart Morrison — 5 ducks, 27 innings, 18.52% - Richard Ellis — 4 ducks, 20 innings, 20.0% - Richard Piper — 4 ducks, 24 innings, 16.67% - Daniel Thirkell — 4 ducks, 25 innings, 16.0% - Mike Elworthy — 3 ducks, 26 innings, 11.54% Stewart holds the crown for now, but Richard Ellis's 20% strike rate is the one to watch. Next round of fixtures awaits — same square, same expectant slips cordon, same dreaded nought lurking for anyone who fancies it. See you out there 🏏🍩0️⃣

A quiet one for the exclusive zero club this week — just a single nought harvested from two matches, a rare weekend of near-universal competence across the club. But what it lacks in volume, it more than makes up for in pedigree. Saturday — 2nd XI v Wilmington CC (away) Opening the innings, Stewart Morrison strode out full of intent and returned rather sooner than planned, caught off the bowling of Wooten — the scorebook diplomatically declines to name the fielder. It's his 5th duck of the 2000 season and the 31st of an increasingly distinguished career spanning 241 innings, good enough for 26th on the all-time list of 1261 duckers. With 2000 already marked on his own honours board as a Duck of the Year campaign, this latest addition only tightens his grip on the crown — and sure enough, it vaults him straight to the top of this season's leaderboard below. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club since his very first Linton innings, he also edges closer to a top-10 finish in the Lone Duck standings. Consistency of a very particular kind clearly runs in the family too — sibling Phillip Morrison already carries 2 career ducks of his own. Spookily enough, on this very day back in 1968, Paul Bowles was doing much the same thing against Bearsted CC — the first step on a journey to 54 career ducks and 7th place in the all-time standings. The zero club, it seems, always finds a way to mark the calendar. Week in Summary One duck from two matches — the ducks mostly evaded capture this weekend, a rare show of restraint from the LPCC top order. Still, one is all it takes to keep a season race honest. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Stewart Morrison — 5 ducks, 26 innings (19.23%) - Richard Ellis — 4 ducks, 19 innings (21.05%) - Richard Piper — 4 ducks, 22 innings (18.18%) - Daniel Thirkell — 3 ducks, 24 innings (12.5%) - Mike Elworthy — 3 ducks, 24 innings (12.5%) Morrison leads the chase by a single duck, with Ellis holding the grimmer strike rate of the pack. Plenty of season left for the chasing pack to make their move. 🏏 Same time next week, same crease, same hopeful bowlers — the Duck Club awaits its next inductee. Pads on, scorebooks ready. 0️⃣🍩

Eight matches down on the Tour XI's swing through Cornwall, and the zero club found four new inductees along the way. Not a vintage haul by touring standards, but quality over quantity, as ever. Tour XI Daniel Thirkell got the touring party's account open at Helston CC on the 29th, lbw to W Ahmed for his 3rd duck of the season and 14th of an eminent career — good enough for 62nd on the all-time list and a paid-up member of the Tourist Duck top 10. Eerily, on this very same date back in 1954 Stan Wratten (1943–1984, 35 ducks, 20th all-time) was also trudging off scoreless in Cornwall, proof the county has form for this sort of thing. Two days later at Falmouth CC, Mike Elworthy fell to A Hutton without troubling the scorers — his 2nd duck of the season and 33rd of a career now well past 330 innings. Allan Cooper (1971–1989, 38 ducks, 15th all-time) suffered the identical fate on this exact date in 1980. Mike wasn't finished there, though: 24 hours later at Mullion CC he was caught off Mark Jennings for another blank, his 3rd of the season and 34th career duck — a grim pair for the tour, Falmouth to Mullion inside a day. Tim Thirkell himself (68 ducks, 4th all-time) marked this same calendar date with a duck of his own back in 1973, so Mike keeps illustrious company. Also undone at Mullion was Christopher Thirkell, run out for nought at number nine — his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of a career just nine innings young, edging him ever closer to completing the Full House nearly-man set. Tim Thirkell again provides the on-this-day echo from 1973 — clearly a vintage year for the surname. The Thirkell name had a busy week all told, with Daniel and Christopher both visiting the club within three days of one another — kin, if not quite a joint innings. Week in Summary Four ducks from eight matches, every one of them a touring casualty, with the Thirkell clan doing more than their share of the damage. Mike Elworthy's Falmouth-to-Mullion double was the week's standout — a proper grim pair, no royal honours attached, but a fine addition to the tour scrapbook regardless. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Richard Ellis — 4 ducks / 18 inn (22.22%) - Richard Piper — 4 ducks / 21 inn (19.05%) - Stewart Morrison — 4 ducks / 25 inn (16.00%) - Daniel Thirkell — 3 ducks / 23 inn (13.04%) - Mike Elworthy — 3 ducks / 23 inn (13.04%) The tour rolls on and the season isn't done with any of them yet. Who fancies gatecrashing that top five before the trophies are handed out? See you at the next fixture — the ducks certainly will be. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A quieter weekend for the club's least wanted honours board, but the 2nd XI made sure the zero club didn't go entirely unfed away at Mersham Sports CC. 🏏 Saturday 19th — 2nd XI at Mersham Sports CC In at four, Richard Ellis departed c Unsure b Jim Hodges without troubling the scorers — his 4th duck of the season and 16th of a career now spanning 83 innings, good enough (or bad enough) for 56th on the all-time list of 1260. Ellis remains a fully paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his Linton account with a nought many innings ago, and also carries the presumptive Retirement Duck honour from some past farewell — happily no danger of that today, he'll be back next week regardless. On this very day in 1956, John --'s Taylor was doing exactly the same thing against Mote A, one of 15 ducks across an 11-year career that still edges him one place above Ellis in the standings. One place later in the order, Richard Piper followed him back, bowled Kevin Wise for his own 4th of the season and 23rd for his career from 112 innings — 42nd all-time. Piper's honours board reads like a small trophy cabinet of futility: Ducks on the Road top 10, Homebody Duck top 10, Lone Duck top 10, and the rare Full House, a duck registered at every position from 1 to 11 across his career. A chip off the old block too — his relative Brian Piper carries 20 career ducks of his own, keeping it in the family even when the ducks themselves stay separate. And, by pleasing coincidence, Piper's own duck also fell on the anniversary of John --'s Taylor's 1956 effort against Mote A. Two batsmen, back to back in the order, both walking for nought at the same ground on the same afternoon — not quite official pair territory, but Mersham Sports CC will remember the visit fondly. 📅 Elsewhere The other two fixtures in the period passed off duck-free, a rare mercy for whoever was watching the scorebook. Total tally for the period: 2 ducks from 3 matches, both credited to the same unlucky corner of the same innings. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Richard Ellis — 18 innings, 4 ducks, 22.22% 1. Richard Piper — 18 innings, 4 ducks, 22.22% 3. Stewart Morrison — 23 innings, 4 ducks, 17.39% 4. Ian Brattle — 3 innings, 2 ducks, 66.67% 5. Paul Croucher — 4 innings, 2 ducks, 50.00% Ellis and Piper now share top spot outright, with Brattle's eye-watering 66.67% strike rate lurking as the season's most efficient collector should he get the innings to match. Plenty of cricket left for the leaderboard to turn — see you all, bats hopefully troubled, at the next fixture. 🍩

Five fixtures out on the paddock this week and the Duck Club had to graft for its supper — just two additions to the register, both arriving on the very same afternoon at Meopham CC, from opposite ends of the Linton changing room. Saturday 12 August 1st XI v Meopham CC — Ian Brattle, walking out at number 11 as last man standing, departed bowled Andrew Powney without troubling the scorers. It's the 2nd duck of his season and the 46th of his career, a tally that already plants him a lofty 11th of 1260 in the all-time table. Brattle is a fixture on several corners of the honours board — a paid-up member of the 50 Before a 50 club (51 ducks against a highest score of just 33), a graduate of the Debutante Duck reel from his very first knock, holder of Ducks in a Row for seven on the bounce, and one half of Only Two Quacks alongside Michael Beeney. His brother Paul isn't far behind either, sitting on 26 career ducks of his own — clearly a family gift for the art of not scoring. And on this very day back in 1970, Mike Iliffe (1966–1987, 43 ducks, 13th all-time) was doing exactly the same thing against Gravesend CC. Some things never change. 2nd XI, also v Meopham CC — John Taylor fell bowled R- Edwards for his 1st duck of the season and 5th of his career, easing him to 138th of 1260 in the all-time reckoning. Taylor shares his on-this-day company too — Mike Iliffe was quacking against Gravesend on this exact date in 1970. The calendar, it seems, has a long memory for noughts. The other three fixtures of the week passed entirely duck-free — a rare mercy for the bowlers concerned, and proof the exclusive zero club doesn't hand out membership lightly. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - Stewart Morrison — 4 ducks, 22 innings (18.18%) - Richard Ellis — 3 ducks, 17 innings (17.65%) - Richard Piper — 3 ducks, 16 innings (18.75%) - Ian Brattle — 2 ducks, 3 innings (66.67%) - Paul Croucher — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50.00%) Brattle's blistering 66.67% strike rate is one to watch this season — two ducks from three trips to the crease, and a genuine shout for Duck of the Year if the form, such as it is, continues. The next fixture is never far away, and neither is the next nought. See you at the crease — or, more likely, back in the pavilion. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Three fixtures across the weekend and the zero club welcomed four new entries into its ledger. A quieter weekend by Linton's usual standards, but quality over quantity, as ever, is not really how this club measures itself. 🏏 Saturday 5th August — 2nd XI away at Shipbourne CC Openers are supposed to set the tone. Richard Piper set it early, caught David Bell bowled Peter Phillips without troubling the scorers, his 3rd duck of the season and 22nd of an illustrious career — 46th on the all-time list. Richard is a fully paid-up member of the Full House (a duck at every position 1 through 11), and turns up on the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens besides, a man who has made the art of not scoring into something close to a specialism. His father Brian isn't far behind on 20 career ducks of his own, so the family clearly has form. On this very day in 1895, Ernest Cruttenden made a nought against Rochester CC on his way to that year's Duck of the Year crown — good company across 105 years. Four wickets later, Richard Ellis followed him back, caught Bob Scott bowled Neil Lee-Amies, also his 3rd of the season and now 15th for his career, 58th on the all-time roll. Richard carries the rare Quack-to-Quack honour, a duck on debut and — presumptively, one day — a duck on the way out too, alongside standing membership of the Debutante Duck club. The same 1895 fixture against Rochester CC echoes down to him as well — Ernest Cruttenden clearly had no idea he'd still be getting name-checked in the year 2000. 🏏 Sunday 6th August — 1st XI at home to Downham & Bellingham CC Duncan Keene went lbw to Chris Mendham for his 1st duck of the season and 2nd of his career, sitting at 242nd all-time from just 9 innings — early days yet. Duncan is a name already on the Retirement Duck honours board from a past campaign, a badge worn rather than a warning about today. On this day in 1989, Dave Charlton made a duck against Chadwell Thors Oak CC — eleven years apart, same calendar date, same fate. Ollie Priestly went next, bowled by Gary Hopper, his 1st duck of the season and 6th career, 126th on the all-time list. Ollie is a card-carrying Debutante Duck club member from his own first-ever innings some time back, so this was merely a top-up rather than a novelty. He too joins the 1989 echo — Dave Charlton keeping rather fine company today. The third fixture of the weekend, mercifully or otherwise, produced no ducks at all — somebody, somewhere, actually got off the mark. 📊 Week in Summary 4 ducks from 3 matches, split evenly between Saturday's 2nd XI and Sunday's 1st XI. Both Shipbourne victims landed on exactly the same season tally of 3, which is either coincidence or the Duck Club's idea of synchronised swimming. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Stewart Morrison — 4 ducks from 20 innings (20.0%) 2. Richard Piper — 3 ducks from 14 innings (21.43%) 3. Richard Ellis — 3 ducks from 15 innings (20.0%) 4. Paul Croucher — 2 ducks from 4 innings (50.0%) 5. Peter Whyte — 2 ducks from 5 innings (40.0%) Richard Piper and Richard Ellis now sit shoulder to shoulder at 2nd and 3rd — Shipbourne clearly agreed with neither of them. Paul Croucher's 50% strike rate remains a thing of terrible beauty. Next fixture, next opportunity. The ducks are always out there. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Three fixtures out on the paddock this weekend and, remarkably, not a single duck to report. Not one. The exclusive zero club kept the gates open all weekend, ledger out, quill sharpened, and nobody troubled the register. A quiet spell for the art of not scoring. Whether it was uncharacteristic application from the top order, generous bowling from the opposition, or simple bad luck for those of us who read this column purely for the schadenfreude, the Duck Hunting Season took an unscheduled rest. Even our current pace-setters, who between them have made rather a habit of the walk back for nought, managed to keep their names off this week's honours board. Still, form is temporary, and the duck is eternal. The season has plenty of overs left in it yet, and this correspondent has every confidence the drought will end at the earliest possible inconvenience to somebody. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 🥇 - Stewart Morrison — 18 innings, 4 ducks, 22% - Paul Croucher — 4 innings, 2 ducks, 50% - Peter Whyte — 5 innings, 2 ducks, 40% - Jon Harris — 6 innings, 2 ducks, 33% - Richard Piper — 12 innings, 2 ducks, 17% Stewart Morrison leads the way with a formidable four for the season, though it's Paul Croucher's coin-flip strike rate of 50% that really catches the eye — a genuine 50/50 shot at immortality every time he takes guard, and currently unbeaten in the toss. Fixtures resume next weekend, and with them, surely, the inevitable return of the naughty nought. Bats at the ready, ducks — we'll be watching. 🦆0️⃣

A quiet week on the hunting grounds, but the Duck Club never sleeps entirely, and two names duly enter the ledger. 🏏 Saturday 22nd — 1st XI v Milstead CC Daniel Thirkell, at four, was shown the road by umpire's finger, lbw to Andy Fenton, and duck number 13 goes into the book. That's his 2nd of the season already and edges him to 64th of 1257 in the all-time table from 150 innings — comfortably inside Tourist Duck top 10 territory, a man who clearly collects his noughts on the road as readily as at home. On this very day back in 1973, one Cliff Anscombe was doing exactly the same trick against Sevenoaks Vine CC — proof that the calendar has a long memory for this sort of thing. Worth noting too that the Thirkell name is something of a duck dynasty, with Nigel, Tim, John and Simon all carrying serious career tallies of their own — young Daniel is merely keeping the family trade alive. 🌱 Wednesday 26th — Midweek XI v Ipswich Greyhounds CC (Kent Tour XI) S- Brennan, batting at six, was bowled by A Lee for nought, the 1st duck of his fledgling season and, from just two innings, his 1st career duck too — a debut sighting for the honours board, ranking him a lofty 550th of 1257. Fittingly, he already carries the Retirement Duck badge among his standing club honours, a mark for those whose farewell innings ended without troubling the scorer, though nobody is suggesting Wednesday was any kind of goodbye. Back in 1940, J Short was busy doing much the same against Boughton Monchelsea CC on this exact date — the Duck Club calendar really does repeat itself. 📊 Week in Summary Four matches, two ducks — a positively lean week by the Club's usual voracious standards, with the fowl clearly lying low. No pairs, no family affairs, no king ducks to speak of this time round. Just two solid, honest contributions to the art of not scoring, one home and one on tour. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Stewart Morrison — 4 ducks from 16 innings (25%) 2. Paul Croucher — 2 ducks from 4 innings (50%) 3. Jon Harris — 2 ducks from 5 innings (40%) 4. Peter Whyte — 2 ducks from 5 innings (40%) 5. Richard Piper — 2 ducks from 10 innings (20%) Paul Croucher's 50% strike rate remains the most alarmingly efficient number in the division — a genuine specialist in the art of not scoring. Onward to the next fixture, where the fowl will surely be back in greater numbers. Bat carefully out there — the Duck Club is always watching. 🦆🍩0️⃣

A remarkably restrained weekend for the club's least wanted club. Two fixtures out on the road, and the ducks mostly stayed in hiding — bar one very reliable exception. 1st XI Away at Rainham (Kent) CC, David Castle strode out at number six and departed b Nick Plumridge for nought. This is duck number 2 of the season for David, and — brace yourselves — the 35th of a genuinely epic career spanning 543 innings. That's good enough for 19th on the all-time list out of 1,257 names ever to have graced it, and it keeps David's seat warm on the Tourist Duck top 10 — a man who evidently finds failure just as fluent away from home as he does at Linton Park. On this very day back in 1960, Gordon Fenner (1941–1973) was also walking back for a duck, and sits just behind David on 34 career ducks, 22nd all-time. Sixty-four years apart, same script. 🍩 Week in Summary Just the one duck from two matches this weekend — the flock was thin on the ground, and the rest of the club will have to try harder if they want to trouble this report next time. Sometimes the art of not scoring takes a weekend off. 0️⃣ Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Stewart Morrison — 4 ducks / 14 innings (28.6%) 2. Jon Harris — 2 ducks / 4 innings (50.0%) 3. Paul Croucher — 2 ducks / 4 innings (50.0%) 4. Peter Whyte — 2 ducks / 5 innings (40.0%) 5. Richard Piper — 2 ducks / 8 innings (25.0%) Jon Harris and Paul Croucher currently boast the most alarming strike rate in the division — a coin-flip chance of nought every time they walk out. Stewart Morrison holds the volume crown for now, but with the season still open, nobody's tally is safe. 🏏 Next fixture, fresh opportunities. The zero club never closes its doors — who's joining the honours board this time? 🦆

Four fixtures fell in this brief but productive window, and though the ducks were selective about their targets, three names found their way onto the board in fine style. 🏏 Saturday 8th — 1st XI v Leeds & Broomfield CC Stewart Morrison departed at six, bowled by Adrian Samson, for his 4th duck of the season and a chunky 30th of a career now running to 227 innings — good enough for 28th on the all-time list of 1,257. Stewart remains a paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club, having opened his LPCC account with nought, sits proudly in the Lone Duck top 10, and is agonisingly one position shy of the Full House honour, having now ducked in ten of the possible eleven slots. With that Duck of the Year 2000 board already carrying his name, he currently wears the crown for this very season — a title earned the hard way, by trying rather hard not to score. Brother Phillip trails some way behind on 2 career ducks, so the pedigree is there but the gap remains vast. On this very day back in 1975, club legend Jim Hall was doing exactly the same thing against West Farleigh CC, one of 73 ducks in a career that still sits 3rd all-time. 🌱 Sunday 9th — Sunday NVKC v Sparsholt CC Daniel Thirkell edged behind for four, caught Jeremy Frith off A Lang, his 1st duck of the season and 12th in a 149-innings career, good for 69th on the all-time roll and a seat at the Tourist Duck top 10 table. The Thirkell name is, of course, cricketing shorthand for the duck club itself — John (90), Tim (68), parent Nigel (55) and Simon (36) all keep noughts in the family, with young Christopher and Stuart just getting started on 1 apiece. Fittingly, on this very day in 1994 it was none other than relative Simon Thirkell adding to the family collection, ducking against Horton Kirby CC — the art of not scoring, evidently hereditary. 🕕 Wednesday 12th — Midweek XI v Gravesend CC Richard Ellis was bowled by Ian Obee at first drop for his 2nd duck of the season, taking him to 14 career ducks from 75 innings and 63rd on the all-time list. Richard carries the rare Quack-to-Quack potential on his honours board — duck on debut, presumed duck on farewell — alongside Retirement Duck membership, both standing curiosities rather than news for today. On this same date in 1964, Len Conway was suffering identically against Claributs Circus, one of 12 ducks in a career that still shares 71st spot on the all-time table. 📅 Week in Summary Three ducks from four matches — a modest but respectable harvest. The fourth fixture proved a frustratingly vegan affair, with not a single nought to report. Three different sides, three different methods of dismissal, and one splendid family echo courtesy of the Thirkells. The exclusive zero club continues to welcome new deposits. 🏆 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard — Top 5 1. Stewart Morrison — 4 ducks, 12 innings (33.3%) 2. Jon Harris — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50.0%) 3. Paul Croucher — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50.0%) 4. Peter Whyte — 2 ducks, 5 innings (40.0%) 5. Richard Piper — 2 ducks, 7 innings (28.6%) 🦆 The next round of fixtures awaits, and with them, no doubt, further additions to the Duck Club's roll of dubious distinction. See you at the crease — or rather, on the way back from it.

Six ducks fell to the reaper across three fixtures this weekend, with Horton Kirby CC doing the damage to both senior sides on the very same afternoon. Grab a programme, the honours board has business to attend to. 🏏 Saturday 1st — 1st XI v Horton Kirby CC (home) Geoff Rameaux helped himself to a tidy brace at the death, removing Matt Large (c M Chatuverdi, batting at 9) and Ian Brattle (c & b, at 10) in the same innings. Matt Large's nought is his 1st of the season and 60th of a storied career — 5th on the all-time list of 1257 and a veteran of no fewer than six Duck of the Year titles (1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995), with places on the Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck top tens, and just one position shy of a Full House. On this day in 1962, Len Conway was up to much the same against Tilling Steven, on his way to 12 career ducks. Ian Brattle also opens his season account, his 45th career duck keeping him lodged at 12th all-time. A proud member of the 50 Before a 50 club (51 ducks, high score 33), he once even managed 7 ducks in a row — a run of "form" most batsmen would rather not repeat. His sibling Paul isn't far behind on 26 career ducks of his own. On this very day in 1995, today's teammate Matt Large was posting an identical duck against Meopham CC. 🏏 Saturday 1st — 2nd XI v Horton Kirby CC (away) Mick Hills did the damage for the 2nd XI, accounting for both Richard Piper and Stewart Morrison. Mike Elworthy opens the tally, his 1st of the season and 32nd career, good for 24th all-time and a fixture of the Tourist Duck top ten. Richard Piper falls for his 2nd of the season, moving to 21 career ducks and 46th all-time, with the rare distinction of a genuine Full House — a duck at every position 1 to 11 — alongside Ducks on the Road, Homebody Duck and Lone Duck honours. Forebear Brian Piper carries 20 career ducks of his own, a proper family trade. Stewart Morrison brings up his 3rd of the season already, and with it sits proudly atop this year's Duck of the Year 2000 honour. 29 career ducks put him 30th all-time, with a Debutante Duck credential and a near-miss on the Full House besides. Sibling Phillip trails on 2. Roly Edwards rounds things off, his 1st of the season and 15th career, 58th on the all-time roll. 📊 The Week in Numbers Six ducks from three matches, two of them served up by the same Horton Kirby attack in the same afternoon. Their bowlers will sleep well tonight. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Stewart Morrison — 3 ducks, 10 innings (30%) - Jon Harris — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50%) - Paul Croucher — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50%) - Peter Whyte — 2 ducks, 4 innings (50%) - Richard Piper — 2 ducks, 5 innings (40%) Morrison leads the chase but with three challengers already at 50%, this one's wide open. Next fixture brings more candidates for the honours board — see you at the crease. 🦆

A quiet weekend by Linton's usual standards of scoreless calamity, but two names still found their way onto the slip of dishonour across four fixtures. Quality over quantity, as the exclusive zero club likes to say. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI v Hollingbourne CC Dave Todd, in at eight, was trapped lbw by Ian Gutteridge for his 1st duck of the season and 14th of an increasingly distinguished career — 201 innings deep and now sitting at 60th in the all-time standings of 1,257. Consistency of a very particular kind. Neatly enough, on this very day back in 1975 Ian Brattle was doing the same dance against Leybourne CC, en route to a career haul of 44 ducks and 12th place on the all-time list — a man who racked up 51 ducks against a highest score of 33, which tells you rather a lot about priorities. 🌱 Sunday — Sunday NVKC v St Lawrence CC Peter Whyte departed at seven, caught off J-Smeaton by a fielder the scorebook simply logs as "Unsure" — appropriately enough for a discipline built on ambiguity. It's his 2nd duck of the season and 22nd of his career, good enough for 45th on the all-time chart from 226 innings. Whyte now has company in the family sense too — his sibling Tom Whyte is himself a paid-up member of the club, with two career ducks of his own. The art of not scoring, it seems, runs in the blood. Spookily, on this same date in 1978 Malcolm Pay also strolled back for nought, against Marden CC, on his way to a career tally of 26 and 34th spot in the all-time order. 📊 Week in Summary Two ducks from four matches — the fowl were evidently in short supply this weekend, though both departures came via textbook means, one lbw, one caught, no golden ducks among them. A gentle warm-up for what the season table below suggests could get considerably busier. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. Jon Harris — 2 ducks in 3 innings (66.67%) 2. Paul Croucher — 2 ducks in 4 innings (50.00%) 3. Peter Whyte — 2 ducks in 4 innings (50.00%) 4. Russell Baldwin — 2 ducks in 6 innings (33.33%) 5. Trevor Back — 2 ducks in 8 innings (25.00%) Jon Harris leads the chase at a startling two-thirds strike rate, with Peter Whyte's Sunday effort keeping him firmly in touch at the sharp end. 📅 Looking Ahead The season's still young and the leaderboard is wide open. Bring your bats, gentlemen — or don't bother, the Duck Club will happily take you either way. See you at the next fixture, where the ducks are surely just waiting to be found. 🦆🍩

Five matches, seven ducks, and the exclusive zero club welcomes its usual eager applicants this week. Straight into it. 🏏 Saturday 17 June 1st XI hosted Southborough CC and Stewart Morrison fell early, caught Colin Ayres bowled Chris Bass at six. His second duck of the season lifts him to 28 career ducks, 31st on the all-time table, and level company with himself thirteen years younger — on this very date in 1987 a fresher-faced Morrison also ducked, against Dimanchians CC. He remains a Full House nearly-man (10 of 11 positions conquered) and a Lone Duck top-ten regular, and with the year matching his tally, it's worth noting Morrison already wears the Duck of the Year 2000 crown. Away at Southborough, the 2nd XI fared no better. Stewart Roberts departed for nought at five, bowled Dave Fuller — his maiden season duck and only his second in a fledgling 15-innings career, sitting 301st all-time. Odd company for him: Adrian Caddick, who ducked against Maidstone Teachers on this same date back in 1997. Paul Croucher followed at eight, caught Tom Carmichael bowled John Pickett, his second of the season and 11th career duck, 79th all-time — a proud, if presumptive, member of the Retirement Duck club from a past farewell. He too echoes Caddick's 1997 date-twin duck. 🌱 Sunday 18 June 1st XI travelled to Blue Star CC where Dave Charlton was bowled by Stuart Clarke for nought at four, his first duck of the season, 22nd of his career, 44th all-time. On this same date in 1961, Robert Murray also made a duck, against Halfway House. Charlton's brother Sean carries four career ducks of his own — clearly an eye for zero runs in the family. 📅 Wednesday 21 June The Midweek XI trip to Sevenoaks & District Wednesday CC proved a productive afternoon for the club, with three fallen in the same innings. Richard Piper was caught Paul Styles bowled E- Jarvis at five, his first duck of the season and 20th career, 49th all-time, and a Full House, Homebody, Lone Duck and Ducks-on-the-Road top-ten stalwart. Fittingly, his father Brian Piper also sits on exactly 20 career ducks — the acorn matching the oak to the last digit. Like his Midweek teammates, Piper's date-twin goes back to 1987, when Stewart Morrison also ducked, against Dimanchians CC. Trevor Back went lbw to B-v- Williams at six, his second of the season and 54th career, 8th on the all-time table — a genuine club legend of futility. Back's honours board carries a standing "Quacking Together" partnership with Jon Harris, and fittingly the pair renewed it in this very innings. Which brings us to Jon Harris, bowled J- Grindley at eleven for his second duck of the season and a mighty 81st career duck, second only in all Linton Park history. A four-time Duck of the Year (1976, 1980, 1981, 1999) and Full House member, Harris keeps closing on the summit. His son Richard Harris already carries 36 career ducks of his own — the Harris name well represented in the honours. 📊 Week in Summary Seven ducks from five matches, with the Midweek XI supplying three in a single innings at Sevenoaks. Southborough claimed a brace the same Saturday, home and away, and the Piper and Charlton names both put in an appearance via kin already enrolled in the club. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. Jon Harris — 3 inns, 2 ducks, 66.67% 2. Paul Croucher — 4 inns, 2 ducks, 50.00% 3. Russell Baldwin — 6 inns, 2 ducks, 33.33% 4. Trevor Back — 7 inns, 2 ducks, 28.57% 5. Stewart Morrison — 9 inns, 2 ducks, 22.22% Fixtures resume this weekend — plenty of scope for the zero club to welcome new, and returning, members. 🦆🏏0️⃣

A curious symmetry to kick off this report: Linton fielded two sides against two different flavours of Marden on the very same Saturday, and both grounds obliged with feathered visitors. Five ducks in total across the weekend's three fixtures — the zero club never rests for long. Saturday 10 June 1st XI away at Marden David Castle opened up and departed early, caught Bardsley off Wilkins without troubling the scorers. Season duck number one, but the 34th of a long and distinguished career spanning 534 innings — good enough for 20th on the all-time chart and another stamp in the Tourist Duck top 10, a well-travelled member of the exclusive zero club. On this very day back in 1961, Robert Wood was performing an identical vanishing act against Tovil, en route to 21 career ducks in a career running 1958 to 1972. Russell Baldwin followed at four and fell to the same Wilkins, caught at Lomas — his second duck of the young season already, moving him to a career tally of 2 from just 5 innings. A brutal 50% strike rate for nought that already tops this week's leaderboard. Like Castle before him, he shares his moment with Robert Wood's 1961 vanishing act against Tovil — evidently a day for the history books. Piers McDonald was next to go, bowled by the rampant Wilkins — a third victim for the bowler this innings. One for the season, but the 46th of an illustrious career across 374 innings, holding down 11th spot all-time and a repeat name on the Duck of the Year honours board for both 1997 and 1998, alongside standing memberships of the Lone Duck and Tourist Duck top 10s. Wilkins, it must be said, had rather a productive afternoon at Linton's expense. Michael Beeney rounded things off down at nine, caught Bardsley bowled Antonisz — his first duck of the season and 12th of a career now standing at 72nd all-time, a paid-up member of Only Two Quacks (with Ian Brattle) and the historic Retirement Duck honours board. A chip off the old block too — his relative Thomas Beeney is already a fellow member of the zero club with a career duck to his name, and sits handily on this week's leaderboard himself. 2nd XI at home to Marden CC, Kent Trevor Back kept the family tradition of misery alive, caught Karim bowled Jones for his season's first. It is the 53rd of a mighty career spanning 438 innings, cementing 8th spot in the all-time standings and adding to an already crowded honours cabinet — Ducks on the Road top 10, Homebody Duck top 10, Lone Duck top 10, Only Two Quacks (with Allan Cooper) and Quacking Together (with Jon Harris), who himself lurks on this week's leaderboard. Sunday 11 June The third fixture of the period passed off duck-free — a rare moment of restraint from the club. Week in Summary Three matches, five ducks, and Wilkins doing more damage with the ball than most bowlers manage all season. Marden, in both its guises, proved a fertile hunting ground. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - Russell Baldwin — 4 innings, 2 ducks, 50.0% - D- Bunch — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Thomas Beeney — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - Jon Harris — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% - Michael Beeney — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.33% The season's still young and the leaderboard wide open. Next fixture, the zero club welcomes new applicants — bring your bat, or don't bother. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Three fixtures on the board this weekend and Sheldwich CC did the damage in both directions, claiming a duck at home and one away. The 3rd XI escaped clean. Read on. 1st XI v Sheldwich CC (home) Stewart Morrison walked in at four and departed for nought, c Mark Hammond b Ron Brown — his first duck of the 2000 season and the 27th of a career now standing at 221 innings, good enough for 33rd on the all-time roost of 1249. A paid-up member of the Debutante Duck club from his very first knock years back, and with the season itself carrying his name — he's the reigning Duck of the Year for 2000 — this one only tightens his grip on the title. Spare a thought too for the family ledger: sibling Phillip Morrison already carries 2 career ducks of his own, so the Morrison name is not unfamiliar to the honours board. On this very day in 1967, Alan Cridland (1965–1968) was performing the identical ceremony against Tovil Nomads CC — some traditions simply refuse to die. 2nd XI v Sheldwich CC (away) Same opposition, same position, same fate. Simon Thirkell fell at number four away from home, c Sam Hill b A Creed, his first duck of the season and 36th of a career built across 165 innings — 18th all-time of 1249 and rising. The Thirkell name is practically a dynasty down at Linton: father John sits on 90 career ducks, siblings Tim and Nigel on 68 and 55 respectively, with Daniel, Christopher and Stuart all carrying entries of their own. Simon adds to the family trophy cabinet in fine style, and being an away duck it plays nicely to his standing memberships of both the Tourist Duck and Ducks on the Road top tens. And, remarkably, the very same historical echo applies here too — on this day in 1967, Alan Cridland also made a duck, against Tovil Nomads CC. Two Linton batsmen, one calendar date thirty-three years apart, one shared ghost in Cridland. Week in summary Three matches, two ducks, both at first drop position four, both against sides called Sheldwich — the Duck Club selection committee could not have scripted it neater. The 3rd XI kept their noses clean and will no doubt be reminded of it at the earliest opportunity. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. D- Bunch — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 2. Jon Harris — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 3. Thomas Beeney — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% 4. Simon Thirkell — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% 5. Paul Croucher — 3 innings, 1 duck, 33.33% A perfect record at the top for now, though it's early days yet in the hunt. Roll on the next fixture — the exclusive zero club never stays quiet for long. 🦆🏏0️⃣

Slim pickings this week, but the club's oldest institution still found its man. 1st XI v Horsmonden CC Nigel Thirkell strode out at first wicket down and departed with the scoreboard unmoved, caught Tony Ford bowled D Wright. It's Nigel's 1st duck of the new 2000 season and the 55th of a career now spanning 997 innings — a tally that plants him at a lofty 6th in the LPCC all-time standings, a position few will ever seriously threaten. Nigel remains a fixture of the honours boards, having lifted Duck of the Year back in 1986, and he sits comfortably inside both the Homebody Duck and Tourist Duck top tens — proof that geography offers no protection from the zero club. The Thirkell name carries weight in these parts too: father John (90 career ducks), brothers Tim (68) and Simon (35), and sons Daniel (11), Christopher (1) and Stuart (1) are all paid-up members of the club — a dynasty built, it would seem, on the noble art of not scoring. Spookily, on this very day back in 1995, Steve Masters (1992-1995, 4 career ducks) also made a duck, away to Headcorn CC. The calendar, it appears, has a long memory for these things. Across the rest of the two fixtures played, the remaining batting lineups stubbornly declined to cooperate with the Duck Club's ambitions — a rare quiet weekend for the zero enthusiasts among us. Week in Summary Just the one duck from two matches — a lean haul by Linton's usual standards, with Nigel Thirkell flying the flag solo, and with characteristic reliability. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard 1. D- Bunch — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% 2. Jon Harris — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% 3. Thomas Beeney — 1 inn, 1 duck, 100% 4. Paul Croucher — 2 inn, 1 duck, 50% 5. Peter Whyte — 2 inn, 1 duck, 50% A wide-open season so far with everything still to play for. Get out there next weekend and add your name to the list — the exclusive zero club always has room for one more. 🦆🍩0️⃣

Two fixtures, three ducks, and the 2000 season's Duck Hunting campaign is very much open for business. Early days yet, but the exclusive zero club never sleeps. 🏏 Saturday — 2nd XI v Rumwood CC Richard Ellis became the weekend's first name into the book, bowled by Lee Marsh at number six for his 1st duck of the season and 13th of a career now spanning 67 innings — good enough for 64th on the all-time list of dubious distinction. Ellis arrives with pedigree: the Debutante Duck and Quack-to-Quack boards already carry his name from a past occasion, the rare club of men who began their Linton careers with a nought — a standing honour, not a comment on today's effort, though today's certainly didn't hurt the average. He also draws level on 13 career ducks with both Dave Todd (1978–2000) and Steve Cheesman (1989–1998), sturdy company for a Saturday afternoon. And on this very day in 1961, William Agate was performing the same ceremony against Charles Arkcoll — some things never change. 🌱 Sunday NVKC — v Milstead CC Milstead helped themselves to a Sunday brace, with two Linton batsmen departing for nothing in the same innings. Rob Doick, at seven, was caught behind by Stuart Burnop off D Bromley — his 1st duck of the season and 21st of an admirably durable career, now 147 innings deep and sitting 46th in the all-time standings. Doick keeps distinguished ghostly company here: on this day in 1978, Allan Cooper was likewise trudging off for nought against High Halstow CC, twenty-two years to the day before Doick followed suit. Two down at nine came Peter Whyte, run out for his own 1st duck of the season — his 21st career duck from 223 innings, one place above Doick on 45th all-time. A chip off a mildly duck-prone block, too: his sibling Tom Whyte already carries 2 career ducks of his own. Fittingly, Whyte shares his parallel with his teammate — Allan Cooper, also dismissed for nought on this same 1978 date against High Halstow CC. The calendar, it seems, has form for mid-May waterfowl. 📊 Week in Summary Three ducks from two matches — a modest early-season haul, no golden ducks, no pairs, and the family honours board stayed refreshingly quiet. Milstead CC will be pleased with a two-for at NVKC; Rumwood CC can claim one scalp of their own. Steady work all round. 🥇 Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard 1. D- Bunch — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 2. Jon Harris — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 3. Peter Whyte — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 4. Russell Baldwin — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) 5. Thomas Beeney — 1 innings, 1 duck (100%) A flawless top five so far — everyone's average currently reads a perfect nought. Plenty of season left for someone to spoil it with an actual run. 🦆 Next fixture beckons, and the ducks are surely circling. Get your names in.

Three fixtures took to the field on the season's opening weekend, and the Duck Club welcomes two brand new members to its exclusive zero club, plus a rather more seasoned quack from near the very top of the all-time pile. Saturday 6 May — 2nd XI at Bearsted CC D- Bunch marked his first-ever Linton innings in the most Duck Club way imaginable, battling through 11 balls at three before being taken by Andrew Haggart off Peter Court. A genuine debut duck, and with it instant lifetime membership of the Debutante Duck honours board. On this very day in 1996, Peter Whyte was doing much the same against Maidstone Dissidents CC on his way to a career 20 — welcome to the club, D-. Paul Croucher followed at seven, bowled by Peter Court for a two-ball nought, his tenth for the club from 29 innings — a tally he now shares with the likes of Don Hartridge (1940–1952) and, rather more grandly, Victorian stalwart Ernest Cruttenden (1881–1912, Duck of the Year 1895). Paul is also a paid-up Retirement Duck club member from a past farewell, though happily not this one. Peter Whyte's 1996 exploits were the parallel of the day here too. Sunday 7 May — 1st XI at Willesborough CC Russell Baldwin fell early at two, bowled John Scamp — his first duck of the new season and just his second for the club in two innings. On this day in 1978, Malcolm Pay was enduring the same fate against Biddenden CC en route to 26. Then the main event. Jon Harris, caught M Green off John Scamp at eight, notched up a routine-looking 80th career duck from 578 innings — routine only in the sense that it is now essentially his trade. That tally sits him second on the all-time list of 1249, underlined by an honours cabinet groaning under four Duck of the Year titles (1976, 1980, 1981, 1999) and the exceedingly rare Full House, a duck at every position from one to eleven. Fellow travellers Jim Hall and Trevor Back both know what it is to quack alongside him. Relative Richard Harris isn't far behind on 36 career ducks of his own — clearly runs in the family. Malcolm Pay, 1978 vintage, was the man in the mirror once again. Closing the innings at ten was Thomas Beeney, caught M Green off S-- Kennett — his very first senior innings, and a duck on debut to show for it. Straight onto the Debutante Duck board, and already banking Ducks on the Road credit before he's even opened his account at home. Relative Michael Beeney sits on 11 career ducks, so the family name is in safe hands. Malcolm Pay's 1978 shadow fell over him too. Week in summary: 5 ducks from 3 fixtures — two brand new arrivals to the fold, and one the club's second-most prolific quacker of all time. Not a bad way to open a season. Duck Hunting Season leaderboard - D- Bunch — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - Jon Harris — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - Paul Croucher — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - Russell Baldwin — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% - Thomas Beeney — 1 inns, 1 duck, 100% Early days yet, and a five-way tie won't last. Next fixture: middle stump, soft hands, and may the zero club claim a few more. 🦆🍩0️⃣