The second in our series of player profiles focuses on stylish top order batsman Joe Curley. Joe has moved through the XI’s to nail down a first team spot in 2016, averaging nearly 500 runs per season over the past 4 seasons, which is decent given his tendency not to play in August.

Tall & elegant at the crease and at his best playing aggressively down the ground or off his pads against the new ball, he has been prolific in the 2s and 3s and prolific in making between 25 and 35 before providing catching practise when playing for the 1’s.

Kitted out immaculately in new lid and full New Balance gear for the 2016 season, Joe batted for a while at Bentley during the only game at which a Post photographer was present last year, so expect to see him in the paper regularly for the next 12 months. The only shame is that with lid on, the Post’s loyal readership will be denied the sight of the most luxuriant hair in local cricket.

Joe’s off-spin is very much in the occasional bracket, although his stats are far from disgraceful when called upon (usually when somebody in black trainers comes out to bat) and he is also very much in the equation when it comes to discussing the best fielder in the club as his safe hands, which could well be the best in the club, and ability to throw down the stumps from the boundary make him a big asset on the rope with the spinners bowling. Which is pretty much all the time in the 1's.

Off the pitch, Joe is a somewhat erratic presence with a cavalier approach to rules, regulations and indeed basic social skills. This makes the typical Committee question before club events, “is Curley coming?” followed by “what damage could he possibly do?”

The only man to have to formally apologise to the club manager for breaking a tea urn, there are signs that Joe is maturing with age. Admittedly the decision to room him with Club Secretary Danny Gillham (as the responsible adult) on this year’s golf weekend in Colchester did still end up with some of the Goresbrook party being barred from the Five Lakes Resort, however on this occasion the decision was reached after Danny led a reasonable conversation with the night porter and minuted a list of reasons for that decision, which does seem a step forward on the diplomatic front.

Batting

Bowling

Fielding

99 catches, 1 Stumping

Name: Joe Curley
Tekkers: RH bat, right-arm off spin
GCC Number: 238
Nicknames: Curleyman, Lord Curley (after being bought a 'Lordship' as a present. Try googling Lord of Wansley Manor to determine whether this is a genuine title or not)
Age: 23
Job: Wealth Manager
Hobbies: Cricket, Golf, Football, Beers

QUICKFIRE

Favourite Football Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Favourite Music: DMAs
Favourite Movie: Gladiator
Favourite TV Show: Match of the Day
Favourite Holiday Destination: Florida
Favourite Meal: Fry up (usual from Gunays)
Favourite Drink: Moretti
Who would play you in the film of your life: Lord Disick

GORESBROOK

When did you make your Goresbrook debut? So long ago I can't remember! (Then we’ll tell you about your senior debut which was on 26th Aug 2006 in a 4 wicket defeat for the 3’s at Hornchurch Ath 3’s. A 13 year old Joe made a duck and bowled 1 over for 13 against an HACC side featuring current 1’s stalwarts Sam Samarasekera and Ross Raftery)

Describe your Goresbrook career in 10 words or less. History making whilst extremely loose (the jury is very much out on one of these claims and unanimous on the other)

Who is your favourite GCC Teammate (current or retired) & why? Mark L Bird because he is a legend (Spurs fwends)

Most memorable game(s)? Matchplay game at Hainault & Clayhall where I scored the first ever U16s Matchplay hundred and also the game I scored my first men's hundred.

(We believe that senior game to be the first grudge Goresbrook 3 v Goresbrook 4 league game of 2013 when Joe scored 112 out of 191 to spare the 3’s blushes against a strong looking 4’s attack featuring Danny Gillham, Harry Jackson, Owen Elsom and Ricci Parnell. The 4’s were then dismissed for 119 with Joe taking 2-18.)

Which GCC player do you hate facing in the nets? Israel Ochwo

What’s the best thing about Goresbrook CC? Everyone

CRICKET

What other clubs/XI's have you played for? Eastbrook School XI and St. James's Place Wealth Management XI

All-time cricketing hero? Graeme Smith

Favourite cricket ground & why? Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa because of the views of Table Mountain in the background

Describe the best catch you have ever taken? Last season when I caught the ball inside the boundary and had to throw it up, exit the field and come back on to reclaim the catch

Best player played against? Graham Napier, whilst playing for St James’s Place

MISCELLANEOUS

Best sporting achievement outside cricket? Hitting a hole in one at Crowlands with a sand wedge, whilst protecting a finger dislocated in the Matchplay against Ilford.

Where would you live if money was no object? Las Vegas

What would you rescue first if your house was on fire? Hair dryer

Give us a sporting tip for 2017? England to win the Ashes (technically they would have to win the Ashes before the final test in Sydney to make this a 2017 tip, which given current levels of Australian performance, is quite possible)

Tell us something about yourself that nobody at Goresbrook knows? I once wore Arsenal pyjamas as a 4 year old