Eason puts on a show as Currell puts Afros in a spin.

Afro Caribbean v Castlethorpe away, 11^th June 2011

The day started with a sense of trepidation and nervousness for the young Castlethorpe crusaders. A trip to Afro Caribean is not to be taken lightly. Known for the big bats, big hits and big banter, the Afros were sure to offer the biggest test of the season as these two divisional heavyweights came together.

Afros batting first, “The Thrup” made a useful start with Dingers first over only going for a measly amount. A tight first six put the visiting team in very good spirits, even the usually grumpy Northern Monkey! This tasty Dingers morsel was just the appetiser for the pies that were thrown down by Russell in the following over. Need I remind people that Rusty’s first ball (no, not his first over) went for six?! Not just a little six, but a monumental clatter sent the ball crashing into the trees back over the despairing Rusty’s head. Birds flew in all directions, the sound of ball on twig and trunk could be heard at the MK bowl.

After the ball had been recovered by the wild man of the woods Quinton (sporting new rugged beard/stubble combo) the game continued in much the same way. Dingers continued to be tight and mean with his deliveries, whilst Russell continued to generously offer a buffet of choice balls, which the Afro’s hungrily despatched to all counties around Milton Keynes.

A bowling change of Dingers off, Young Mart on brought some impressive banana-esque deliveries. In only his second game for the club the newly adopted Thrup legend boomed a series of out swingers, in swingers causing both the Northern Monkey and the impressive Bash to make a series of supportive noises. At the other end Tango toiled away hitting his lines and lengths as a jealous R.Jones could only stare and dream of what could have been.

After a truly awful drop by Finno, (apparently the usually useful member of Her Majesties Constabulary had had a rather explosive week at work and there were issues in his mind that needed disposing of) and a useful piece of footwork by the Messi-like Bash it came to crunch time. The opener for Afros was still in, looked set and was on a big seventy, looking a sure-fire bet for a hundred. There are no two ways about it, this decision was left way too late, but finally the crowd got what they wanted, they got to see Currell bowl.

He very quickly set to work, testing and teasing the batsmen with a variety and range of deliveries that pushed the Afros to the very limit and finally cracked them open. The young spinner, recently (and naively) over looked by England soon had the opener out, bowled. Back in the hutch for the big hitter. Although he had put Russell well and truly in the woods, he was no match for the king of spin. Currell then went on to claim wicket after wicket.

Despite most of the Thrup fielders dropping catches left right and centre and seemingly on the Afro’s side, the devastating demon of the doosra soon collected one, then two, then three. Let us not forget that this talented and experienced Afro side were top of the league. Surely they would take young Currell apart? No. Surely they would be more afraid of the pace attack? No. Surely Dingers would turn to someone else to bowl the last over of the game? No. Surely he couldn’t take a wicket with the last ball of the game? Well, yes. Sometimes it is difficult to place into words this kind of a performance. Cricketing god? Probably. Inspirational? Absolutely.

Afros ended on a more than average 196, Currell ended with four key wickets in his back pocket, Rusty ended the innings with shame and a fag.

The tea was great. All Thrupians were impressed with the quality and choice (and melon). Bash as usual ate for two. Dom as usual had a snooze (or he may have been awake, who knows?)Dingers issued the batting order and gave a Churchillian speech to inspire the Thrups to glory, surprisingly leaving the young starlet Currell at eleven. At the time the crowd did not see that this was a true piece of captain-genius and a match winning decision by Ding-Dong Bell.

The well fed and inspired Thrups then went on to fall apart and perform the kind of batting that would relegate any team. Batsman after batsman fell to the impressive Afro attack. Bodies lay in dismembered heaps all over the field of battle; the scene was one of carnage. The Thrups team were looking defeat and failure in the face.

Cometh the hour cometh the mighty Scott. Striding to the crease like a colossus (he couldn’t run very well) and striking the ball with venom and gusto (he really didn’t want to run) he put the bowling to the sword. Boundary after boundary, strike after strike. One man took on the might of the Afro Caribbean tornado and stood and looked it in the eye. Scott passed fifty whilst those around him fell like a limp-wristed pack of cards, cast to the winds by the mighty Afro attack.

With the Thrups short of runs, short of batsmen and with Scott into his seventies, the exciting and mercurial Currell arrived at the crease. The number eleven, the last man, the Thrups last chance. That was just the pick me up that Scott needed. Seeing the reliable and often underrated batting maestro at the other end of the strip reinvigorated the mighty titan. The two heroes up against it from the start saw the game home with three balls to spare.

Unbelievably, against the odds these rather unassuming and shy cricketing bravehearts had won the game for Castlethorpe. 197 for 9. They did their duty. Etched in history, their place in cricketing folk-law assured the two best looking members of the team we able to enjoy a long, well earned and satisfying stint at the bar.

Although a win, and a very good win, lessons must be learnt from this performance. Scotty and Currell cannot continue to carry the team as they have been forced to do. This was their day, time will show if others can now step up to the plate and support them as they lead the mighty Thrups back to the promised land of the south Northants Premier.