Ian met this fine Dutch chap at the cricket in Amsterdam when Nederlands played England earlier this month.
Ian was amazed to see Abingdon on his shirt!
His team, The Ajax Sportsman Combinatie, usually known as ASC, is a Dutch football and cricket club, … Ajax was established on 1st June 1892, and played its first match in 1895.
They have apparently been playing friendlies against Abingdon for sixty-three years.
If anybody knows more, then please comment. Ian thinks SC Ajax will be playing Abingdon at the end of July.
If anybody asks, ‘Wat is cricket?’, here is a video to explain …
At last – a crystal clear explanation of the game. Thank you!
Hi
Yes this chap is the (in)famous Dirk Hensel.
Abingdon Vale and Ajax Sport Combie have had a reciprocal tour for 60ish years.
The Dutch were due to tour last summer but with covid it has been delayed to this year and we will be welcoming them at the end of July.
The Touring team stay with the family’s of host club members and during the week play friendly’s with local(ish) teams culminating in an anything but friendly “Ashes” match between Abingdon and Ajax.
Abingdon are the current holders of the urn which was won in 2019 and we are next due to tour the Netherlands in 2023. On our last visit to we played a club side VOC (Rotterdam) which contained The Dutch captain Peter Seelar, the opener Max O’dowd and the wicket kepper Scott Edwards. We were routed! Also back in 2003 we played against Matthew Mott who is now the England Mens ODI & T20 coach. He scored 140 not out in another thrashing!
Thanks for the fascinating info Joff! I hope to say Hi to Dirk again in Abingdon later in July- This time wearing my Nederlands cricket shirt! Ian
👍😊