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Welcome to the British Officer's Cricket Club

The British Officers' Cricket Club appears in cricket history back in the 'Golden Age' of cricket in Philadelphia in the late 1800's. However, as an affiliate of The British Officers' Club of Philadelphia founded in 1925, regular games were played until WWII. The BOCC was re-born in 1986-thanks to co-founders, the late Peter Stone and Alfred Reeves. Since that time the club has been a major force in rekindling the game in Philadelphia, and now enjoys a playing membership of over 50 cricketers. The BOCC also boasts the best facilities with one home pitch @ the historic Haverford College and two new home pitches @ the scenic Evansburg State Park

The BOCC plays cricket for fun, for love of the game, yet competitively, with a will to win. The BOCC places high importance upon social interaction and a membership willing to contribute effort on and off the field. The BOCC places no restriction upon membership, save that of gentlemanly conduct. Club management is democratic and bound by its Constitution. The BOCC shall strive to uphold the notion of Cricket first, team second and the individual last.

The BOCC is a co-founder and a proud supporter and participant of the Philadelphia International Cricket Festival. It's commitment to the joys of touring includes contributing players to the wandering 'Gentlemen of Philadelphia' side.

The BOCC participates in the regional leagues like the Garden State Cricket League, Philadelphia Cricket League, Turbo Cup. BOCC also goes on tour to Toronto over the July 4 weekend every year and with friendly games all season long, plays an aggregate of over 75 matches a season. We also tour the UK every alternate year. Additionally, the club has a traditional pre-season curry party, Annual Awards Dinner and other events. There are organized net practices at Haverford College from April thru September.


Latest Announcements  
SubjectByPosted
Another first for the Club – BOCC win ACL openerMike ThomasTuesday @ 6:18 AM
In another first for the BOCC, ECG saw Dynamic CC visit for our first Atlantic Cricket League game. Not only that, but the first time the BOCC had put out three league sides in a single weekend. Read more...
A Great Victory against GWIATahir MaqsoodTuesday @ 6:18 AM
GSCL season has been rough so far this year. Losing four games brings you down even when you know that you are not far behind of winning teams. Probably it has been hardest for Sri, who has been tremendous with both ball and bat and did not get much support from most of us. When we won the toss and elected to bat, pattern seemed to be repeating itself. Our batting has not been very good and we only managed 150 and Sri making half of that. Karthik and Raj supported him well but it was not easy to make runs on ECG II. Inspite of a fairly low total, there was no lack of enthusiasm and Kalim especially was pumped up. He did not disappoint us and took the first three wickets in his first spell. First an LBW, then a caught behind and last of three, a magnificient catch by Sri that further inspired everyone. We wanted to make sure that we keep on attacking and changed the bowlers after 2-3 over spells. Though Mitul bowled well but was unlucky in his opening spell of two overs. Sri coming for his first mini spell immediately took a wicket. Another bowling change and Mitul came back with two wickets in one over. Sri took another wicket in his next spell and then Kalim came back to take two more wickets in his third spell. Kalim bowled beautifully in ACL game yesterday and today he came of age by taking his first five wickets haul in GSCL. The way he is transforming, I am sure there are many more to come. There was no way that anyone could have kept Sri down. In his third spell he accounted for the last man and we won against the previously undefeated GWIA. They were all out for 73 in 21 overs. In our club history we have had bigger victories while winning the GSCL knockout championship, Turbo cup and Festival etc. I cannot remember a better bowling performance against a top team by BOCC before. It is very encouraging and now we can count on our batting as well as our bowling. I am very certain that the confidence gained by this victory against a top team will not only raise the morale of the GSCL team but will inspire the whole club as well. Well done Sri, Kalim, Mitul, Karthik and rest of the team.
PCL: BOCC lost by 3 runsShariq KhanTuesday @ 6:18 AM
In the backdrop of a tremendous victory by the GSCL squad, while we were being mesmerized by Sri's catch and Kalim's spell, the PCL team came up a little short in our run chase against a very energetic NECC team. NECC 137ao in 28 overs (JK 4w, Amim 3w). In reply, Yatin was our lone soldier with 40* and we were LBW-ed out for 134 in 35 overs. [My apologies to everyone present for a disappointing loss, personal-performance and attitude after the loss.] scoresheet...
Congratulations to the Ahmed brothersSrikanth RamanathanMonday @ 12:34 PM
Following their brother Kalim's footsteps the other two youngsters Haaris and Hamza have made it to the Atlantic Region Under-15 regional team. The 2009 U-15 National tournament will be played in San Francisco from June 25-28. Well done lads. You made us all proud.
Practice at HaverfordSrikanth RamanathanJune 24

Nets at Haverford on Wednesdays

It's that time again...Still missing a few membership checksChris LawrenceMay 28

You wouldn't know it from looking out the window but the 2009 season is just around the corner. Its all great fun playing cricket during the season, but that enjoyment doesn't come for free. You don't think new pitches get paid for by magic do you?! In response to the tough economic times (well not really) annual membership dues are the same again this year. Renewing players are $125, while returning students (or those not working right now) are $35. New members are $175 (students $60), but of course you get all that great kit... Send your checks made out to 'BOCC' and a completed membership form http://www.bocccricket.com/docs/BOCC%20Membership%20Form%20-%202009%20season.pdf to your humble Treasurer at 336 W Springfield Rd, Springfield, PA 19064 by May 1st. After May 1st if payment has not been received you will no longer be a paid member and able to set match availabilities.

Update: For those that have not paid I have removed their ability to set match availability. If you still wish to play this season get me a check. Or if I've made a mistake let me know.

Membership InformationShariq KhanMay 16
New players are welcome to apply to join the BOCC. Come to nets at Haverford College on Wednesdays after 5:00 pm (weather & light permitting.) After two nets you may apply to join the club using the Membership form; also familiarize yourself with our Club Constitution as it is very important for our membership.
Those who wish to learn the game may come along but preference for batting and bowling will go to members and those playing in upcoming matches. At the moment we have 70 playing members so that it is not possible to guarantee matches! (some games are over-subscribed and to get onto the league side you will have to be a strong player.)
Note that we are interested in players who will stay with the club for at least a season and who will contribute to the social side - this means coming for after nets or after game to a restaurant/pub for drinks (non-alcoholic is fine - we want your company!).
Usually there is one league game and couple of social/friendly game each weekend. The cost of joining the club is $150 which includes a club shirt and tie, thereafter its $125 per yr.
Pictures from Philadelphia Intl' Cricket Festival 2009Mike ThomasMay 12
Enjoy!
Youth Cricket UpdateMike ThomasApril 19

Gents, the attachments are shortly to be emailed to every club in a 50-mile radius of Philadelphia. Much effort has been invested this winter to translate a wish into action. Please read and if you can, please get active for cricket in your own communities! Hope you will find the History notes interesting! In addition, Coaches are needed to craft a weekly roster through the summer - midweek afternoons or evenings and/or perhaps weekend mornings. A coaching manual is under development and it lends itself to many specific "skill/drill pods" that nearly anyone with experience of playing could lead. I don't need you to commit to a weekly regime, just an indication at this stage that you would be happy to be called on once a fortnight, once a month, 2-3 times a season, or whatever might fit your schedule. Now we don't know whether we shall see 15 kids or 50, or more. At the high end we will be scrambling and I shall return to the well! However for now I just need to get a feel for how much support our membership can give - so please email or call me (even if its "regrets"!). Thanks everyone!  Mike T.
Attachment 1: Letter to Editor 
Attachment 2: Handout Summary

BOCC are Turbo Cup 2008 ChampionsShariq KhanAugust 27, 2008
Villanova 128/9 in 30 overs (Ali 4w, Sri 3w, JK 2w). BOCC reached the target in 29 overs with 6 wkts. Amimul was the star bat with 40-odd and hiting the winning SIX! (Report to follow...)  Click for picture...
Cricket Anyone?Shariq KhanOctober 16, 2006
October issue of the Smithsonian Magazine has a detailed article on cricket in America and talks about the contributions of the BOCC, Alfred Reeves and the C.C.Morris Library. Following is an excerpt:

Sitting at a long wooden table in Haverford's C. C. Morris Cricket Library, the largest collection of cricket literature and memorabilia in the Western Hemisphere, Alfred Reeves, 81, is dressed in an immaculate blue blazer. Reeves immigrated to the United States from his native Yorkshire in 1978 and eventually settled in Philadelphia. "I went for a walk one evening near the Merion Cricket Club [near Philadelphia], and I was sure I heard a cricket ball and bat," he recalls. "So I put my whites on and climbed over the wall of this famous cricket club, dropped on the other side and said, 'I just arrived from England. Do you mind if I join in?'"

Read the full article here...

This Week's Games

Toronto Tour, Friday @ 12:00 PM
vs Leg Trap
at TCSCC

Toronto Tour, Saturday @ 12:00 PM
vs Stragglers/ Kookaburra cup
at TCSCC

Toronto Tour, Sunday @ 12:00 PM
vs Inverhaugh Cricket Club
at Inverhaugh Cricket Club


Schedule Games

To Schedule games with the BOCC, please send E-mail to the Fixtures Secretary Krish Pusuluri.

 (When requesting a game, please specify the dates you are interested in and where you would like to play.)

For general questions and/or Inquiries, please contact Shariq Khan at bocc@bocccricket.com.


2008 Season End Statistics

Career Batting

Career Bowling


�  Aggregate

Partnership Records


Related Links

CC Morris Cricket Library
The C. Christopher Morris Cricket Library and Collection is the largest collection of cricket literature and memorabilia in the Western Hemisphere. The library includes over a thousand volumes and a very large collection of related printed and photographic materials and related items of Cricket history.

Garden State Cricket League
Each year the League schedules regular season games on Sundays during the months of May through September. The season consists of a Championship, Knockout and Inter country competitions.

Laws of Cricket
The basic Laws of Cricket have stood remarkably well the test of well over 250 years of playing the game. It is thought the real reason for this is that cricketers have traditionally been prepared to play in the Spirit of the Game as well as in accordance with the Laws.

Philadelphia Cricket Festival
The Philadelphia International Cricket Festival is an annual event held in the Philadelphia area during the first weekend in May to promote cricket, friendship and community service through sporting contact.

USA Cricket Association
USACA is the governing body for cricket in the United States. Their mission is to promote the game of Cricket at all levels in the US, develop national teams that will be competitive and successful in international competitions.

Copyright © 2009, British Officers' Cricket Club. All Rights Reserved.
V. Special thanks to Shariq Khan for developing this website for the BOCC