Gamblers CC (AKA The Pay Out Benny Thread)

The day has arrived. The most anticipated side of all time has finally been admitted into the Bannerman Shield for season 9,much to the disgust of many members, especially the competition owner Robert Cribb. The Gamblers is the new team that is going to take the competition to a new level of awesomeness. Leading the charge are club owners Brett Gemmell, Ben Read and Ben Taylor.

Three of the biggest names in the land of Cricsim are now running their own side. Now everybody knows Gemmell, the outspoken hall of famer in the making, he has taken several teams to premiership glory just with his immense batting ability and severely under rated bowling and fielding skills.
He now has his newest and possibly toughest challenge, leading a team off the field as well. But he isn't doing it alone, alongside him he has a player with the most potential in the game, Benny Read. Read has helped build up other clubs and is a master at developing juniors into successfull cricketers, and will be hoping to continue that run at the Gamblers, already bringing several Lions and Cubs to the club with him. But the person who will have such a big impact on how the club is run is Ben Taylor, he is the brains behind the operation. He will be relied on heavily to make sure this team is the success it has the potential to be.
While many have rubbished the side for it's original name, and now people are having a dig at the new name, there is one thing that is a certainty, this club will be one of the most talked about clubs, and will enjoy a rich run of success on and off the field.

The club board is currently unfilled, but these are the positions that have been settled at the moment.

Club President: Brett Gemmell
Bannerman Shield Selector: Benny Read
Horrigan Cup, ALC & Horrigan Plate Selector: Benjamin Taylor

The teams jerseys have already been on display throughout the forum in peoples avatars.





I've hunted down a few of the players who have been rumoured to be joining the club, and also
some of the critics and fans of this great club.

I first caught up with star recruit Dave Armstrong;

Hey Dave, How are you feeling about next season?

Dave: I am looking forward to it, the team atmosphere is really what has enticed me to join the Gamblers,
hopefully with enjoyment within the team environment, success on the field will come.


What are your expectations for the Gamblers on the field?

Dave: Look, I expect to have a season where I don't star and stand out like I have in the past, but where I can atleast keep some consistency up, which is what I have lacked in the previous few seasons. I feel that
where I was around seasons 4 and 5 has dropped off due to lower off field enjoyment in the club, due to team mates being less active for outside reasons. With the new team, full of personalities, I feel I will be able to
really have some fun, which in turn should bring me back to some real consistency.

Now you have never played in the same side as all of the people named, who are you most looking forward to batting with with all the great batsman predicted to join?

Dave: I am looking forward to playing with Gemmell and Read particularly, but still excited about being able to smack some balls around with the other fellas. The batting lineup with be the best in the competition without a doubt, so why wouldn't I be excited.

And what is your predicted finish for the Gamblers:

Dave: 1st, undefeated no doubt.




And at the same pub I noticed one of the club owners in an obviously intoxicated Benny Read.


Hey Benny, can we have a few words about the Gamblers?
Benny: I am excited for the Gamblers admission to the league because for one, we have the greatest group of guys I could almost try to assemble. We will be competitive on the oval and we will be amongst the greatest ever as far as a subforum goes, there is not one **** in our subforum that I dislike as far as I care. I may not be able to organise as much as I could
previously but with Gemmell and Taylor doing as much as myself we have a strong....(Paused for 3 absynth shots)...triumvirate of leadership who know how to run an awesome club and have fun which is something certain clubs like those ****s the Pumas lack, **** they are the boringest ****s in cricsim, and I ****ing hate those ****s and thats no secret I hope they fold sooner than later cos' they bring absolutely nothing to
the competitiomn than soft cock members with the exception of Muesli, Rabbit Boy and possibly Priddo.

What role will you be trying to fill in the club?

Benny: I will be looking to select strong first class lineups and assist with one day lineups as well as trying to keep the club as strong as possible in all off field endeavers and create a dynasty which dominates cricsim in both forms of the game, I aspire to inspire my club as the leading one day player in the competition as I know I am good enough to do so,
and I want my teammates to demonstrate that we know we are the best amongst the pretenders amongst us. I am looking for my top juniors to come with me to Gamblers and forge successful careers as guys like gazza and Damo who will become forces with the right nurturing.

Well thanks for that Benny, just one final question. Where will the Gamblers finish on the ladder next season?

Benny: The Gamblers, IMO will be amongst the Top 3, despite the big names we have recruited we may lack some depth, however it will all depend on the strength of the ALC players I can recruit to bolster
my charge for a premiership as I endeavour to captain an ALC winning outift, guys like Gareth Weaver and Damien Taylor I can see turning into great cricketers if they follow me and be patient.




And as it seems I got to the pub during a pre joining bonding session, as club president Brett Gemmell has just walked out of the toilet smelling like vomit and shit.

So Gemmell, how does it feel to finally have your own side?

Gemmell: It's not my own side, it's a 3 way effort.

Oh ok, my apologies. What are your expectations of sharing a club with 2 other people.

Gemmell: I have the highest expectations, we are all great mates and we are all on the same page. There are no massive ego's in here apart from
mine, but that is only about my success on the field, we will have the strongest foundation out of all the clubs.

You seem quite confident about the success of the Gamblers.

Gemmell: Why wouldn't I be? Just look at the make up of the club. Do you have any idea the amount of people coming up to me asking for a spot?

So the team is getting quite a positive response?

Gemmell: Of course it is, look at our foundation! Who wouldn't want to join.

And your prediction for next season?
Gemmell: First, cya.

After a somewhat decent visit to the Gamblers bar, I decided to go past the Stingrays training ground, a club that is supplying quite a few players to the Gamblers.
I got to have a chat with club owner, Ged King who was discussion origin with NSW selector Robert Cribb.


Now Ged, What are your opinions on the admission of the Gamblers?

Ged: I'm fine with it. It's better than another shithouse team like the comets would have been getting entered. Unfortunately they'll probably give us some direct competition in the market but so be it.

It's been rumoured they have already signed a few key players from you, with the likes of Luke Tyson and Adam Vago going over. How has that gone down? Is there bad blood in the QLD camp at the moment between
arguably your best player in Brett Gemmell?

Ged: I think that both those players where going to leave irregardless of the Gambler's entry. The only bad blood is that of the chick on her rags that we put on a spit.

So you and Gemmell have a tight bond? Or is that a QLD origin tradition?
Ged: Jemmell, as he is known by all in camp, is one of the main men of the Qld team. Many of the members have been there since almost the start so we've all got a close bond. As for putting chick's on spit's
being a qld tradition, you know what they say, what happens on tour stays on tour..............for the record, yes.

There has been a lot said in the press, namely by Gemmell's long time friend Scott Wilson, that he will be a failure of a club owner, and the Gamblers will die out. What are your opinions on this matter?

Ged: I can see how this could happen. I mean, the Stingrays are finding out with recruiting for next season that getting the players is easy but keeping there is hard. What has allowed me to be confident of
getting through it is that we have a good bunch of juniors coming through. If the Gamblers can ring through some good juniors to fill any holes should players want to leave, they should be fine.

And one last thing, what position do you see them finishing in next season?

Ged: Theyll be right up there. Their batting line up is pure class and they seem to have secured some good bowlers. Add to that the fact that the Cyclones and Stingrays will be weakened and they'll go in close to favourites. The Ravens will probably still be up there but their recruitment tactic this season seems to just be about retention.

And right next to us we have the infamous Robert Cribb.

Now Rob, you have been a long time hater of the Gamblers, obviously formerly known as the Carbonators. Why all the hatred?

Rob: They're the antithesis of the Ravens.


It's been quite obvious that you and club president Brett Gemmell have a love/hate relationship of sorts. How do you think the Gamblers will go as a club with him running the show?

Rob: They'll definitely be a hit for the first season or two, as much as it pains me to admit. Whether they can last beyond the honeymoon period is yet to be seen though.

They have definitely got a strong looking side for the first season. What do you think of the name change after being admitted into the competition?

Rob: I hate them slightly less now that they've changed the name. I think it's a good name change.


Thanks for your time, I know your busy with origin preparations. But where do you think the Gamblers will finish on the ladder next season?

Rob: 17th


Thanks to an obviously very angry man in Robert Cribb.



All in all, from what I have seen in my reporting. Cricsim is on the verge of a true powerhouse of a club. After speaking to Club President, he has given me an expected round 1 line-up.

1. A Vago
1st Class Career:

13,007 runs @ 46.79
1 wicket @ 59.00
Highest Score: 204
100's: 36
50's: 65

Origin Career:

1,821 runs @ 41.39
Highest Score: 147
100's: 3
50's: 10




2. D Davis

1st Class Career:

9,684 runs @ 47.70
Highest Score: 247
100's: 27
50's: 47

Origin Career:

447 runs @ 44.70
Highest Score: 186
100's: 2



3. D Armstrong
1st Class Career:

10,651 runs @ 41.61
Highest Score: 221
100's: 21
50's: 63

Origin Career:

674 runs @ 30.64
Highest Score: 106
100's: 1
50's: 4


4. B Gemmell

1st Class Career:

12,347 runs @ 51.23
17 wickets @ 46.65
Highest Score: 214
100's: 40
50's: 57

Origin Career:

1,969 runs @ 50.49
3 wickets @ 40.33
Highest Score: 141
100's: 6
50's: 9

Test Career:

221 runs @ 44.20
100's: 1
50's: 1



5. M Hayes

1st Class Career:

9,321 @ 48.05
2 wickets @ 42.00
Highest Score: 221
100's: 22
50's: 58

Origin Career:

1,061 runs @ 35.37
Highest Score: 186
100's: 2
50's: 4

Test Career:

295 runs @ 98.33
100's: 1
50's: 2



6. B Read

1st Class Career:

3,308 runs @ 34.10
44 wicket @ 45.70
Highest Score: 134
100's: 6
50's: 16
5WI: 1


7. J Read

1st Class Career:

2,436 runs @ 30.84
Highest Score: 149
100's: 3
50's: 11


8. L Tyson


1st Class Career:

6,342 runs @ 28.19
579 wickets @ 31.94
Highest Score: 153
100's: 5
50's: 29
5WI: 24
10WM: 1

Origin Career:

911 runs @ 33.74
94 wickets @ 28.45
Highest Score: 103
100's: 1
50's: 4

Test Career:

96 runs @ 48.00
13 wickets @ 29.85
5WI: 1


9. B Taylor

1st Class Career:

238 wickets @ 31.42
Best Figures: 6/34
5WI: 4
10WM: 1


10. T Bullpitt

1st Class Career:

783 wickets @ 26.67
Best Figures: 9/58
5WI: 48
10WM: 13

Origin Career:

107 wickets @ 29.60
Best Figures: 8/44
5WI: 7
10WM: 2

Test Career:

9 Wickets @ 24.33
Best Figures: 6/98
5WI: 1



11. S Surkelton


1st Class Career:

580 wickets @ 30.71
Best Figures: 9/56
5WI: 27
10WM: 6

Origin Career:

40 wickets @ 37.13
Best Figures: 5/57
5WI: 1


Test Career:

0 wickets @ 00.00
Best Figures: 0/26

 

Cheers mate.

 

Nino

 

I just spent ages on that first post, I'm not having this thread turn into a discussion about avatars after 3 posts.

 

You know we potentially have 3 test bowlers in the side?

 

Spot on.

 

@ toolman obv.

 

Taylor and Sullo are both due, and Sullo will finally have some decent help with Bullpitt and Tyson.