Charles Noakes has sadly died.

Charles played regularly for Datchet from 1985 -2001.  Charles' early cricket for Datchet was played in both the Saturday 3rd XI and the long-lost Sunday 3rd XI, before coming to the fore with an outstanding display for the Sunday 2nd XI at Princes Risborough, capturing all 10-55.  Once Charles had taken the first 8 or 9 wickets, a young James Lambert was given the task of trying not to take wickets at the other end, a task to which he found he was remarkably well suited.

Charles was an outstanding bowler for the 2s in the early & mid 90s before captaining the 3s from 1999-2001.

Charles' bowling style could be described as "thoughtful" or according to grizzled DCC veteran Pat Burns "stop bl**dy experimenting Charlie".  While looking innocuous, Charles bowling was based on several varieties of off-cutter and away-swingers and had many notable scalps.

Charles' batting was based on attack, which meant that it tended to be brief but eventful.

Outside the narrow confines of DCC, Charles captained the cricket society for many years, and always returned to DCC with tales of derring-do.  No doubt his Datchet performances were similarly embellished for Cricket Society audiences!

Charles was a fun-loving character, liked by all, who drove his car in cavalier fashion. Despite Charles' bowling achievements over many years, probably his finest hour was overtaking a fire engine with all sirens and lights blazing on the M4 en route to an away game.  There were also claims of driving to Kew in 8 minutes.

RIP Charles