The Perry-Lewis/Kershaw Memorial Trophy

The Perry-Lewis/Kershaw Memorial Trophy

For Contribution to The Cricket Society XI

2024 Winner Ilija Krunic

The Perry-Lewis/Kershaw Award is named after two individuals. Paul Perry-Lewis played 121 games between 1967-84 and took 85 wickets. He died in the Clapham train Disaster of 1988.  John Kershaw, who was Skipper of The Society XI between 1968-74, took a then record 421 wickets, 70 catches and played 288 games.

Ilija is a cricketer who always contributes whether it is with his fast medium bowler, who is not just monotonously accurate but also relentlessly testing ducking the ball in and out primarily off the seam whilst generating high bounce, or with his watchful batting where he plays within himself, seldom taking risks but always seeming to move the score on effectively.

In a Cricket Society XI which won 13 games and only lost 6 during the 2024 season, Ilija averaged 64.33 with the bat (he recorded a suspiciously high number of red inkers) and took 18 wickets at 10.78. The statistics do not tell the whole story. With the ball, Ilija exerted control at all times and was rarely collared by his opponents. This control inevitably allowed wickets to fall at the other end. With the bat he often marshalled the innings when chaos reigned around him and in two games – at Northwood and Lingfield – he steered the team over the line from the most unpromising positions.

With the bat the economy of shot making is complemented by tremendous concentration and almost Boycottian determination to not give his wicket away in a stupid fashion.

Ilija also led the team on a number of occasions when skipper, Stuart Cosstick, was ruled out with injury and his innate feel for the game and tactics showed that the Society X1 possess an outstanding vice-captain.

His 2023 season was just as productive, and this fine cricketer thoroughly deserves to be the 2024 winner of the Perry Lewis/Kershaw Award for his outstanding contribution to the Cricket Society XI.