Test Match was more exciting!
A
beautifully sunny afternoon saw the arrival of Hambleden, Ian's old Club,
and therefore something of a sentimental game for him. As I was a last
minute addition to the squad, following the withdrawal of Alex Cudworth,
Ed captained the side.
Regrettably, his tossing is not as well practised or as efficien
t as mine
and upon losing the toss, we were inserted by the opposition Captain.
No doubt on the basis that he was in good form, Nick opened with Rob Symondson
and he did not disappoint us. Both openers batted with caution whilst
unleashing savage shots at anything loose. It was a surprise when Rob
fell for 28 but Nick continued serenely, playing a superb innings full
of excellent off/cover drives and some magnificent square cuts passing
50 for the third time in 2 innings and looking odds on to score 100.
Unfortunately, he was not particularly well supported at the other end
with Ashley being run out, Doug top edging one to slip and yours truly
guiding one very carefully to first slip for a duck. I can only blame
my poor showing on the confusion of finding my son advance down the wicket
to criticise my pathetic attempts to hit the ball and offering me coaching
advice.
Nick finally fell for a magnificent and chanceless 77 and Edgar coming
in at no 7 added some lusty blows to make 32 not out to get us up to 191
for about 6 at tea.
After tea, the opposing batsmen looked positive despite some good swing
bowling from Ian & Toby Cudworth and appeared to be interested in
the target. Toby induced an edge which was comfortably taken by Justin
who had the gloves for the day but on a Batsman friendly wicket, further
wickets proved hard to come by. Ed relieved Ian and I came on for Toby
without much result and then we switched ends with Ed then picking up
a very sharp caught & Bowled.
At this point, with barely 20 overs gone and 8 wickets in hand, the opposition
shut up shop and almost nothing would induce them to play a positive shot.
Jerry Stockbridge came on to relieve me but was treated as though he was
bowling hand grenades and Nick came on for Ed.
Bowling at a lively pace, Nick immediately induced an edge which was deftly
taken by Justin without the use of his hands in the triangle between his
elbows and stomach.
Ian entertained us royally,first giving us his impression of a felled
pine in attempting to catch one just in front of him and then looking
as though he had taken both barrels from a 12 bore as he reeled backwards
from a firmly struck cut before collapsing in a cloud of dust about 10'
from his starting point.
Nick then picked up another wicket as the innings meandered to a rather
pointless close with Hambleden on 127 for 4.