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Green & Gold Living Legend #14 - Malcolm Fitzgerald

(March 10, 2010)

Malcolm Fitzgerald

Malcy is a funny old chap. Languid, laid-back, posh. In fact, he rivals others like Mr Hodgson for being the poshest chap at the club. He�s an all-rounder like his best pal, James C, but like Walter, the team hasn�t been able to rely on his runs for a long time - his highest score was just 22 last season. If his batting which is usually more explosive and therefore less reliable than others has faded, his twirly floaters that he produces to wonderful effect are still going strong.

He took his 199^th and 200^th wickets for the Club in the crushing win over Brighton Insurance in mid August last season but was unable to play the last couple of league games due to family reasons. This was a rare absence for Malcolm as again like JC, his duty to his beloved West Chiltington stretches back many years. Every year, the wags at the Club remark that Malcolm spins the ball less than Ashley Giles used to but every year, Malcy collects another sackful. Twenty wickets or more every year except 2002 (nine from only 42 overs bowled), 2003 and 2008. Last year his 26 was his highest haul since 2005 at an average of just 11 and a strike rate of 18.24. Indeed he took only one less wicket than his chum James despite bowling only slightly more than half as many overs as him. His overall economy of 4 runs an over is again a strong statistic for a spinner who has bowled more than 900 overs.

Last season Malc woke up one day and discovered he was a junior coach. He brought an army of Fitzgeralds with him including El Presidente Michael who all craftily disguised themselves in the outfield. His sister Aimee-Louise did all the admin because being so posh, he always has some lacky to do that sort of thing for him at work. Malc�s Under 10s charged through the season unbeaten until they came a-cropper in the winner-takes-all last game at Lindfield. It will be very interesting to see how this year�s Under 11s fare in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival.

Away from the Rec., Malcolm tells us he likes bathing, smoking furiously and following the fortunes of a former �big� football club, Queens Park Rangers. The Rogue Hoops used to be quite good but are now of course sliding down the Championship table envious of the real hoops� position on the trapdoor with Division 3. His elder brother Alistair also used to play for West Chilt. but has never turned out for the merged club and now lives in Southwater.

Granted Legend status for his legendary spells of bowling, the endless banter with his chum Jimbo and the Olympic smoking. Truly amzing that James and him have both played 148 games for the merged club. They do everything together.

Malcolm Fitzgerald � Green & Gold Statistics

Seasons at West Chilt & Thakeham: Nine so far (2001-). 148 games. =2^nd with JC behind Bob

Batting: 123 innings for the merged club; 2025 runs at an average of 20.88. 8.12% of the team�s runs in the games he�s played. One ton and 6 fifties. Number 5 overall at the end of 2009.

High Score: 108 for the 1^st XI at Adelaide in September 2001

Bowling: 908.4 overs, 155 maidens, 200 wickets @ 18.24. Economy: 4.01

Best: 6-23 against Three Bridges 4ths in May 2004. Five 5-wicket hauls

Number 3 bowler on the all time list at the end of 2009. Nearly a remarkable quarter of the wickets every time he plays.

Fielding: 17 catches & 3 run outs

Game results: Has been on the winning side in 56.08% of the games he�s played in

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