Mr Angry

Azz Shakoor is Ley Hill's leading wicket-taker in 2003, and has in recent weeks shown increasing fluency with the bat. On the back of his five wickets and hat-trick versus Downley, we quizzed him on his experiences at the club.


You've had a brilliant season with the ball, and increasingly with the bat. What are your secrets?

If I told you my secrets, the wouldn't be secrets would they? Just joking… Well who doesn’t enjoy winning? The people who say it's the taking part that counts, stick them in Mr Green's team. I am a strong believer that if you put 110% in to your performance, and you play as a team player, your peers will respond to you, and everyone in the team will want to win.  I have always been naturally good at cricket, but to you youngsters who read this interview, I work hard and it has most definitely paid off with the bat and ball. Find what you're good at and work on it. Enjoy it, and remember at the end of the day that it is only a game.

Long Live the Hill! Loyalty is important - if any of you colts are interested, next season I am going to be coaching and I will share all of my secrets with you. If your dads are no good, bring them along too! Mention no names, you know who you are…

You've given a few guys a good send-off after ripping out their stumps. Why not let the ball do the talking?

Well as all of you know I am British Pakistani and I grew up in the years of Wasim and Waqar. I used to idolise both of them with the likes of Imran Khan, and winning the World Cup in Australia.  These personalities certainly made it very clear to the opposition when they were out. It probably came from there, and from recently watching Shoaib Akhtar.

It gives you a good feeling, especially when the batsman responds to your aggression; it makes it a hell of a lot of fun. One good example was this year against Haddenham when I ripped the stumps out of the cocky New Zealander - he didn’t know what hit him. I told him which way the pavilion was. That pleased my captain! Although we lost, it was good fun.

I do apologise to anyone who feels I am like that, I do not mean it in a bad way, its just the way I play.

You're certainly an aggressive cricketer, in style and attitude. What are the reasons for the way you are?

I blame county cricket - before I played with the county I used to be just a normal boy. Those people don’t know the meaning of friendly cricket. I was certainly an outcast and a cornered tiger, so that’s the way I started playing. 

What's it like being an Asian Brit playing cricket in a predominantly white club and league?

I have always played in predominantly white clubs. I love playing for Ley Hill, it has really given me a sense of direction in my life. The people here are fantastic and I have made so many good friends. Everyone is treated as an equal. I like the feeling of being part of a team who respond to you, and if you enjoy something, you give 100%. Having awesome captains like Chris and Flapper also helps, not to mention Ian's stint when Flapper disappeared.

You clearly love playing cricket at Ley Hill - what drives you forward? Have there been sacrifices?

Like I mentioned at the start of the interview, I like to win, and the thought of kicking Hawridge and Cholesbury’s arse next season gives me great pleasure. I'd say that's a great motivator. I would like to see our club getting better and better - we have the talent here and facilities are always improving. 

I had a weekend job in Harrow that I had to leave to play Saturday cricket. I set goals for myself to make a century and have 50 wickets at the end of the season, as well as to get the Seconds promoted. The people of Ley Hill and beyond can judge if I have done that or not. Soon I will tell you about my goals for next season. 

What would you change about Ley Hill CC as a club?

I would introduce more variety of confectionery, soft drinks and crisps behind the bar! I would like to see new nets and regular practices that will help improve the performance of everyone.

I also wanted to say that I am really sorry for breaking the ankle of that 15-year-old from Downley. It was truly unintentional. I would have bowled exactly the same way if it was Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara. These people where playing test cricket at that age and I feel that you should not play league cricket if you are not up to it.

Anyway I am so sorry young chap, hope you get better soon.

Kash has come on a hell of a lot this season - what role do you see him filling?  

Kash is a gangster. I used to bowl to him in the garden at the age of five, and every ball used to be a yorker! He learnt the hard way, and he is going to be a super batsman if he gets his head into gear. He has even more style than me. I will keep coaching him. He just needs to improve on his temperament, which he is gradually doing as we saw when he won us a draw at Ballinger.