Three new OCs have been elected to the Hall of Fame. All three are former captains – Colin White, David Bugge and Iain Wilkie.
As per the rules, nominations were considered from all current Hall of Famers and the final decision was made by John McDermott, himself elected in 2006.
Colin White’s heyday was in the 1960s, by which time he had already played for Cambridge University and Surrey 2nd XI. Generally regarded as the most stylist batsman to have come out of Cranleigh since the war, Colin was an archetypal left-hander, whose every stroke seemed to rely on timing rather than force and to who an ugly shot was an anathema. His chances of a Blue were wrecked when he was hit in the mouth and hospitalised by when playing against the New Zealand tourists. In contrast to the safety needed in his as a banker, as a batsman he looked to attack from the first ball, with the drive over extra cover his favourite stroke. He was also an quite outstanding cover fielder, his speed and agility being further strengthened by an ability to pick the ball up and throw with either hand. He captained the side in 1966 and went on to become president. In 124 matches he scored 3633 runs at 33.33 including 21 fifties and four hundreds. “I am very touched and honoured,” he said. “It’s frightening to realise that it was 50 years ago that I first started to help Nigel with the cricket weeks at the School, liaising with Arthur Germany re food and drink in the pavilion, selecting the sides, etc. No e-mails then, just lots of phone calls!”
David Bugge was the most successful OC captain, leading the side between 1982 and 1986 from the front and hardly missing a match – he holds the club record of playing in 42 consecutive games between 1982 and 1984. The highlight of his tenure came in 1984 when we won all nine matches in the cricket week. An utterly dependable batsman, capable of either solid defence or whirlwind aggression as the situation demanded; a deceptively penetrative bowlers who looked little more than medium pace but disguised a nagging accuracy and a little more nip than the batsman expected; and a fearless and reliable close fielder (although less assured under boundary steeplers!). As captain David gave his all and expected others to do the same, and he brought out the best in many players. Still playing occasionally, he has made 125 appearances, scoring 3585 runs at 41.21, including 20 fifties and three hundreds, and taken 124 wickets at 20.08. “This is an honour for all of us,” he said.
Iain Wilkie was the foundation of many wins during the 1980s and early 1990s with his unique approach to batting. Strong off his legs, adept at driving and fearless against fast bowling (his duals with Johnny Bass at Ardingly are legendary) his reputation as a slow scorer was underserved; more often than not he shouldered the burden of responsibility for scoring runs in a weak side. The surprise was that he only scored two hundreds – they came within a week of each other in 1983 and were, at the time, the two slowest in the club’s history. Taking over from David Bugge as captain, an unenviable role after the success of the early 1980s, he often did not have the comfort of having several more than capable batsmen in the side. Aside from the burden of captaincy and opening the innings, he also had the added task of having to keep wicket in the absence of any other regular. Indefatigably cheerful, he has made 158 appearances scoring 3883 runs at 27.15 with 19 fifties. “Thank you so much,” Iain chirped. “This is an unexpected, but hugely welcome, honour. I feel very proud to be recognised in this way by my fellow OCs.”