1995, Abergavenny CC and Aashish Kapoor: An Indian Summer

Tell us what you think of this episode In this episode we talk to two stalwarts of Abergavenny Cricket Club, Paul Sussex and Ryland Wallace, both of whom were significant players in the 1995 season. This was the season they secured the services of a young Indian cricketer by the name of Aashish Kapoor.who between committing himself to come to the town that is the gateway to Wales and arriving in Abergavenny made his test debut for India. Paul and Ryland talk about the 1995 season, Aashish's impact on the club and his record breaking innings of 300 against Swansea during that Summer. Here below are some extracts from the club's official history of the 1995 season: Abergavenny for the 1995 Season secured the signing of Aashish Kapoor of India as Club professional. Born: 25 March 1971, Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu Major Teams: Punjab, Tamil Nadu, India, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh. Batting Style: Right Hand Bat Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break Test Debut:India v West Indies at Mohali, 3rd Test, 1994/95 Latest Test:India v South Africa at Kanpur, 3rd Test, 1996/97 ODI Debut:India v Australia at Dunedin, NZ Centenary Tournament, 1994/95Latest ODI:India v Zimbabwe at Rajkot, 5th ODI, 2000/01 Abergavenny 375-6 A.Kapoor (300) M.Coles (31) Swansea 189-8 M.James 2-23,R.Beaumont 3-2 Abergavenny were the victorious Macey Shield Winners after defeating Newport at Llanarth in the Final. Abergavenny batted first and put on 68 for the first wicket in just 9 overs. M.Morris (24) was the first to go but Kapoor went on to a great fifty well supported by Mike Powell who finished on (43*) as Abergavenny scored 158-5. The strong Newport side made a very useful bid for victory, but excellent bowling and good catching and fielding made it difficult for them to sustain the run rate and they finished on 140-6 Kapoor taking 3 wickets and a catch to go with his fifty to easily win the Man of the Match award. Paul and Ryland give colour to these basic statistics mentioning Aashish's stylish batting and accomplished spin bowling as well as his all round professionalism and approach to playing the game. Although Aashish was clearly a crucial element of their success that season Paul and Ryland talk about the rest of the team that contributed to the succesful year as well as mentioning two young Abergavenny cricketers who were to go on and have first class careers with Glamorgan, Mike Powell and Ryland's son and the current director of cricket at Glamorgan CCC, Mark Wallace. As well as Aashish's record breaking efforts with the bat, the county game supplied another world record performance. Andrew Symonds, playing for Gloucestershire, hit a mammoth 16 sixes in his innings of 254 in the first innings against Glamorgan. He followed that up with 4 more sixes in his second innings making a grand total of 20 in the match, another record. David Hemp scored a career best 157 and Mathew Maynard 164 in a match that saw over 1500 runs being scored. Paul and Ryland reflect on their time with the club and the enjoyment it has given them. they also talk about the importance a club's history is to its present and its future.