Aussies need Poms to strengthen side
Nick Wright takes one in the ribs
Played
on a bright sunny day, this was a great afternoons cricket against a really
good set of blokes with cricket and catering of a very high standard.
It was much enjoyed by all.
It all began with a surprise for me as I set about introducing myself
to the opposition only to shake hands with one bloke who said ' I know
who you are - we played rugby together for 10 years'. Small world!
Losing the toss as usual, we were inserted by the opposition who cheerfully
admitted that only 6 of them had travelled from Australia and he therefore
hadn't much clue about the strength of his side as they had been rounded
up by various mates and contacts. He and we soon found out!
I had a long debate with Nick about whether he should wear a helmet and
we decided that against friendly midweek opposition, he need not do so.
The first ball from the opening bowler had him sniffing leather and after
dispatching the third ball to the long on boundary, the rest of the over
was bowled at a pace considerably above that normally seen on our ground.
It turned out that Jumile was the 1st XI fast bowler for Shenley in the
Hertfordshire league and he was genuinely quick. Nick to his credit knuckled
down and played him with some confidence and no little courage taking
a number of blows to the body whilst hitting anything pitched up with
great power to the boundary.
Howard opened with Nick and with the Kookaburra ball supplied swinging
like a banana, soon nicked one to slip of the Andy Bell, the opposition
captain. Justin joined Nick and played some watchful defence while Nick
set about him making a splendid 30 until bowled by a leg cutter from Jumile.
Steve Reece was then LBW to Jumile for 9 and was quickly followed by Rob
Symondson who was caught of the replacement bowler Smith for 4 leaving
us reeling at 52/5. Matt Stockbridge was run out for 3 and although Edgar
hit some meaty blows for 28, I was out for 12 and we were in serious trouble
at 102/8.
There then followed an excellent stand between Jerry Stockbridge and Matt
Hallam with Matt in particular smiting some powerful blows between watchful
defence and between them they put on 45 for the 9th wicket with Matt making
a splendid and much needed 32. Jerry who until then had been the junior
partner, then swung the bat to good effect making 13 to take us to 139
all out. This never looked like being enough on a good wicket.
After a splendid tea, courtesy of Mrs Smith, Nick and Matt opened the
bowling but failed to find much rhythm and both took some heavy stick
until Nick induced a rather fortunate bowled with what he insists was
a cleverly concealed slower ball but which to the rest of us looked like
a long hop which should have gone over the pavilion. The spin twins of
Wright & Fernandes came on to try and slow the run rate but the ease
with which Smith in particular was stroking us through cover for 4 alerted
us to the fact that this was a very good player and Bell at the other
end whilst less cultured was, was equally severe.
The spin twins having had no luck, Steve Reece came on and immediately
bowled Bell for 44 and then found the edge of Pattersons bat for Howard
to take the catch. When Nick then hit the stumps from Mid on to run out
Mathews, we were clawing back respectability and although, I came back
to have Smith stumped by Howard for 87, the match was lost by 5 wickets.
During conversation after the game it transpired that Smith was Andy Smith
who had played for Surrey which explained his splendid strokeplay and
gave Howard and I the kudos of a first class wicket!
A most convivial evening followed almost entirely funded by our Guests
complete with speeches and awards and an excellent supper from Mrs Smith.