CRICKET: MEL Whittle retired from local cricket last season at the age of 63. Here he talks to Keith McHugh about some of the highlights of his long and colourful career THE Central Lancashire League had some great professionals in the old days and the West Indian legend Garry Sobers was undoubtedly the best of [...]
Tag Archives: Mel Whittle
Kanhai can do as Croft is clattered
Posted on January 21, 2011
MEL Whittle retired from cricket last summer at the age of 63. In conversation with KEITH McHUGH he describes playing alongside the great Rohan Kanhai at Crompton — and facing up to fearsome fast bowler Colin Croft. I HAVE many good memories of my time at Crompton and high on the list is the club’s [...]
Title snatched from our grasp
Posted on January 14, 2011
Local cricket legend Mel Whittle reminisces about his long career, with KEITH McHUGH. I WAS extremely busy with work in the early part of 1984 and was considering finishing with cricket after one more season at Shaw St Pauls. But after being approached by Oldham, I felt I had to grab the opportunity of playing [...]
Nomadic start to glittering local career
Posted on January 11, 2011
MEL Whittle retired from cricket last summer at the age of 63. His colourful career saw him play for many clubs and collect a kit bag full of memories and friends. In a series of interviews with KEITH McHUGH, Whittle reflects on the ups and downs of his 49-year career. I FIRST played in the [...]
CLL – Annual League Dinner
Posted on October 28, 2010
If anyone is interested in attending the Central Lancashire League dinner on Friday 12th November, we still have some tickets available. Those who attend, will be able to see the evergreen Mel Whittle once again collect the Clifford Pickup trophy for his fantastic bowling efforts this season. If you would like tickets, contact Mel on [...]
Mel nominated for Pride of Oldham award
Posted on October 4, 2010
To many of his team-mates, he was simply known as “legend.” Opposition batsmen were not quite so complimentary — for the obvious motive of self-preservation — but there was never any shortage of respect for a seam and swing bowler whose career spanned five decades. At the age of 63, Oldham Cricket Club stalwart Mel [...]
Mel takes 100th wicket as First team defeat Middleton
Posted on September 14, 2010
After 49 years of cricket, Oldham’s own Mel Whittle signed off in style by becoming the first amateur player to take 100 wickets in a single season in the Central Lancashire League. Needing five more to reach the landmark, heading into the final match, at home to Middleton, the weather made it look doubtful that [...]
Oldham stun title hopefuls
Posted on August 4, 2010
OLDHAM have the pleasant habit of hitting top form against the top teams in the Lake Garage CLL. Winners at leaders Norden already this season, Chris McDonnell’s men again showed they can mix it with the best by defeating title hopefuls Littleborough at Hare Hill. Taking first guard, Oldham fought their way to a respectable [...]
CLL review
Posted on May 29, 2010
CRICKET: IT really can’t get much worse for our four local Lake Garage CLL clubs. After the previous weekend’s defeats for Werneth, Oldham, Royton and Crompton, hopes were high for a return to winning ways. But there was only misery in large portions as all four suffered league defeats on Saturday and, worse still, John [...]
Oldham making wrong choices
Posted on May 22, 2010
CRICKET: CHRIS McDonnell made an unbeaten century during Oldham’s defeat against Middleton on Saturday – but his personal milestone was of no consolation. “To be honest with you, I didn’t feel anything,” admitted the Oldham skipper. “It’s happened before where I have watched from the other end while our batsman have chosen the wrong shots [...]