1880 - 1999

Cricket has been played on the village common at Chesham Bois for over 100 years. The ground is in a picturesque setting being completely enclosed by beech and oak trees, some dating back many years. Teams are eager to play in such pleasant surroundings. The actual formation of the Club is still uncertain at the present time but 1880 is the generally accepted date as in the 1960's when thoughts first turned to the history, there were ex-members and villagers who remembered the Club playing cricket prior to 1900. It had been in existence a number of years even then, playing the local villages in friendly matches. From the early 1900's until 1940, the team played in the Chesham and District League, that featured many local village teams, winning the League on a number of occasions. Only the two Great Wars stopped the club playing but it was quickly reformed on both occasions at the cessation of hostilities by many local enthusiasts who came mainly from the village and Chesham Moor areas. The latter being part of the local parish. After reforming in 1945, the Club played only in friendly matches, fielding one Saturday eleven and two sides on most Sundays when cricket was once again allowed to play Sunday matches in the 1950's after opposition by the churches nationwide. These friendly matches were played for the next 50 years, despite the availability of league cricket in the area, this being purely a members preference to the friendly type of matches bringing lasting friendships between players. In 1997, a decision was taken by the Club to once again enter into league cricket, this being the Mid-Bucks League which features many teams from the High Wycombe district but still retaining the Sunday friendly matches. Although a small village club the standard of play and wickets are good and it has a reputation for friendliness and new members are always welcomed to the club. by Bob Wood Club Statistician and Historian

Last maintained Wednesday 11 December, 2002 by

Andy's 1,000 wickets tally - after only 48 years

Jul 9 2009 By Jon Batham, Buckinghamshire Examiner

IT'S NOT every day you read of a bowler reaching 1,000 wickets - and in the case of Chesham Bois' Andy Hinks it was a milestone that was nearly half a century in the making.

The 64-year-old spinner, who has played for the Bucks club since 1961, reached the landmark in Sunday's 98-run win over Aldbury.

To put the achievement into some perspective, only two of the game's greats have taken 1,000 international wickets - Muttiah Muralitheran and Shane Warne.

Hinks was honest enough to admit he wasn't even the club's record wicket-taker.

He said: "There was a chap called Bob Woods who got about 1,400 back in the 60s and 70s, but wickets were a bit different back then.

"But I'm proud to have reached 1,000. I don't suppose it will happen again at the club."

Hinks had begun the day on 998 wickets and got within one of the landmark when one opponent was caught in the deep.

History wasn't long in the making as the next man in was bowled first ball and the celebrations began.

Hinks explained: "They showered me in Champagne. It was very nice but it didn't stand me in very good stead for bowling my hat-trick ball."

Hinks went on to take 6-40 to stand on 1,004 wickets at close of play.

Team-mate Chris Beaumont said: "We're very proud of Andy.

"We had known about this and had been counting down to it, but we were all dreading the 1,000th wicket being a swirling skier which one of us had to catch, so when he clean bowled the guy we were relieved."

Hinks' achievement was the greatest of a day of records as Bois posted their highest ever score of 312-3, including a stand of 247 for the second wicket, a club record for any wicket, between Beaumont (140) and Mark Clark 101 not out.

As for Hinks, he will terrorise batsmen for a while yet.

He added: "I can't do the things the things I did 20 years ago but I've no plans to retire. I've been bowling for many years and I don't want to break the habit.

"It's important to support your club and play each week."