“YES, NO, OH SH*T”
QUINTIN BAGS A PAIR OF BALLS
Castlethorpe v Cublington, Sunday 24th
April
Steady fielding performance
which involved very little actual fielding from mid off to mid off. Then
provided highlight of the day with the bat, opening the innings. In the first
over the calling went something like, “Yes, Yes, No, Oh Shit”, as he sent
opening partner Steve back in the end, after a pause of about five seconds.
Then managed to bag a pair of balls, by also running out James. Good job Joe
wasn’t playing. Proceeded to anchor the innings in style with 62 not out in 40
overs, steering us to victory. Good job he did.
Catches taken: 0 out of 0
chances
Employed, rather
surprisingly to most, as a seam up first change bowler. Surprised the oppo with
some devilish bouncers. Surprised himself taking a couple of wickets after 5
tidy overs. First game of the season and looking forward to his chance with the
bat. Unfortunately was opening with Quint (see above) so didn’t make it past
the first over, despite nearly running two himself. Comforted himself by
scoring for the rest of the innings to avoid umpiring, and having to gain
revenge.
Catches taken: 0/0
Sprightly showing in the
covers for most of the innings, following an ‘agreement’ with Keith swapping
batting spot number 3 for the gloves. Proved a wise move. Took one good diving
snag at cover, but spilled an easier one. Played steadily and ran like a demon
despite the track record of his partner, putting on 93 for the second wicket.
After some spanking offside shots dobbed one up, but made a solid 43.
Catches taken: 2/4
Kept being moved in the
field before and then a catch would miraculously pop up to where he had been
standing. As a result nothing came his way (it helps to move). When skipper was
working out how many overs his main bowlers had left in the last ten piped up,
“I’ve still got eight left skip”. He still has eight left. Sported a new
hand-crafted bat with no stickers. The throwback weapon did nothing for him other
than a few edges. Fourth-top scorer with 4 runs before falling to a good catch.
Catches taken: 0/0
A new leg-spinning weapon
has been unearthed. No more does he trundle in off five paces and try to swing
it. Amassed three wickets thanks to some smart catches and some good turn.
Fantasy value rocketing. Was another Ball-based victim of Quintin’s one-man
family assault thanks to a run out.
Catches taken: 0/0
Rumbled around in the field
well, some sliding stops to go with making an efficient wide target at mid on.
Disappointingly for all, not called on to bowl. Given the number six batting
slot, attracting big cheers when he got off the mark. Getting the spelling of
his surname right meant Quintin refrained from running him out and was caught
for 1.
Catches taken: 0/0
A day to forget for the
leggie as he went for a few, amassing 3 fantasy points on the day. And this
included two catches worth 20 points each. Took them easily, which contrasted
with the teenager ‘whatever’ one-handed attempt for one off Russ, looking like
he was peering into the sun when it was actually shining the other way. Steady
defence but a duck.
Catches taken: 2/4
Razor keen to take the
wicket-keeper gloves as much as possible this season. Has bought his own keeper
stuff off Nick, a great bargain with Dingers only making a 25% mark up. A
mixture of slappy stuff with some breathtaking one-handed takes. Maybe he
should just buy one glove? Did ‘spill’ one when standing up to Steve Ball, but
it was travelling. The trade off for keeping was the number 10 slot, which
bizarrely became the number 8 position. No messing about, Keith surveys the
field to their leg spinner. Only one man on the boundary, at deep extra point.
Finno slaps his second ball straight to him. Quack.
Catches taken: 0/1
Opened the bowling and
looked threatening at all times, even trying a new end. Was actually more
productive in second spell, and all three wickets were clean bowled. He had
been watching his team-mates catching. Took one himself in the covers, but
spilled a rapid one through his hands. Already averaging over 4 unsuccessful
lbw appeals per game. As we reversed the batting order, was at number 9. They
were cock-a-hoop with us at 116-7 and 46 needed to win at over a run a ball.
Within five overs it was as good as over, including three booming maximums. 154
Fantasy Points, more than most of us will amass in a whole season.
Catches taken: 1/2
Didn’t look remotely Rusty
as he rattled in. Extremely tidy spell, going for just 6 runs off his 7 overs,
picking up one wicket courtesy of a Bash catch. Extended umpiring spell was
required thanks to the long partnership between Quint and Basher, and did it
manfully. Not needed with the bat although was all padded up and ready to go.
Look out for more wickets this year now he’s not skipper.
Catches taken: 0/0
Skipper in a ‘tour’
fashion, putting himself at number 11 in the batting line up. Brought himself
on for a five over spell, despite please from other players. One wicket thanks
to an lbw shout. It’s amazing how many more slower bowlers get. Didn’t move
from first slip all innings, and we really do mean, “didn’t move”. Happy to
start with a win and was repeating the words, “one hundred percent winning
record” all evening.
Catches taken: 0/0