What's The Score With Don Shelley In Antigua?

Don scores on the beech
By Barmy Kev
November 23 2008

Many thanks to Barmy Kev for this incisive interview with Middlesex official scorer Don Shelley while off duty at the Stanford Twenty20 tournament in Antigua. Peppered with such incisive questions as "would you like a beer?", the reader gets a unique insight into the life and thoughts of one of Middlesex's most important yet least known officials. Thanks also to Don for being such a sport.

03/11/08 Jolly Beach Hotel

BK- Would you like a beer?

DS- Yes please.

BK- So have you enjoyed your trip?

DS- Yes. It’s been wonderful meeting and socialising with supporters. Also, good to see players relax.

BK- So were you expecting to be here as official scorer?

DS. Was hopeful, but Middx were not taking a scorer as Stanford use their own to my disappointment

BK- Was scoring in Howzat beach cricket game any consolation?

DS – Yes. I apologise for missing a ball and sweat over my crinkly scorecard.

BK- Do you always like to score when you go on holiday?

DS- Hmmm.

BK. Are you going to India for Champions league?

DS - Going to India with the club - hopefully as official scorer, if not there’s always the beach cricket!

BK. What do you think of Middx performance in Stanford tournament?

DS- Great pity lost all three. We played some good cricket. Dropped catches cost us. We did really well to restrict England. We were blown away by SSS, but then so were England.

BK- How did you come to be Middlesex scorer?

DS- I was scoring club cricket for Shepherds Bush, 1961-64, and Ealing 1965-1985. I got married (to Jean) in 1983 and became pub landlord Windmill in Chiswick from October 1986. I left there 1994 and worked at London Welsh Rugby Club (Richmond cricket ground) for two years, Richings Park Sports Club, Horsham Cricket Club and the Warnham Club before becoming club steward at Ealing CC in February 2001.

I left full-time employment in July 2003 and scored for Middlesex under 17/19s for two years and many MCC out-matches. Mike Smith sadly passed away at an early age in October 2004; I offered my services, passed the interview and the rest is history.

BK- If you weren’t a scorer what would you be?

DS- I would probably work in a pub - the serving side that is. I have been a counter assistant at sub-post offices in Warnham and Haven Green (Ealing) and may have persisted with that (long rant about closing of local post offices followed).

BK – Any hobbies- apart from drinking?

DS- What kind of person do you take me for! No don’t answer that. I am a passionate Rugby Union fan, Rosslyn Park my side and have a debenture seat at Twickenham.

BK- What’s best/worse part of job of scorer?

DS- Best –being paid to watch cricket and being associated with county team.

Worse - being away from wife for long periods

BK- Do you prefer scoring 20/20 or 4 day cricket?

DS- 4 day game easier. More sedate. 20/20 there are many distractions. I don’t have any problems concentrating, regardless which form of game

BK- Do you ever have confusing moments?

DS- Often scoreboards are wrong, a common one is having wrong batsman facing. We have to frantically attract the attention of scoreboard operators.

BK- What do you normally drink during cricket - any spillages?

DS- No spillages. I drink water, occasionally use coffee machine when provided. At Canterbury, I am offered Spitfire on tap and have been known to have a swift half at the end of play.

BK- Ever had a call of nature during match.

DS- No.- always visit the gents before each session.

BK. Your favourite/least favourite ground

DS. Favourite is Lords. I like Trent Bridge where facilities are good. Least favourite Grace Road, but have no major problems with any ground

BK- Any career-wise ambitions?

DS- No very contented in my role.

BK. Do you read MTWD?

DS- Yes, I enjoy it. Now be careful what you say about me.

BK- What about Middlesex prospects?

DS- We have some exceptional youngsters and Neil Dexter looks promising. I’m disappointed about Ed Joyce leaving. If we recruited another quality batter we will certainly be challenging for more honours