SLOPPY SECONDS
Castlethorpe
2nd XI v Westcroft, Sunday 24th July
Again a lynchpin of the innings making 40 of the total of 82. And 8 fours. Yes, neither is a misprint. At one point reckoned to have ‘counted out and counted back’ 25 successive batting partners on a Sunday. Batting average dropped below 80 on a Sunday but won’t play enough innings to qualify for anything.
On a pitch that positively begged you to play forward only
succeeded in doing this once, and nearly prodded a caught and bowled, so then
reverted back to tried and trusted method of shuffling across his stumps trying
to get out lbw. Only avoided this fate by having his timbers knocked over by an
inswinger. Aided by some generous non-signalling of leg byes as well.
Skipper puts himself up the order this week at 3 to make a
difference. Shagged out after three successive 2s in his first over, then was
dropped, then fell to a nice away swinger caught behind. Some clever
manipulation ensured there was no actually toss at the start of the game so
that we didn’t have to field first on such a hot day, top work.
Promoted to the heady heights of number 4, and looked in
good touch before smashing a full toss back at the bowler, who belied his wide
girth to take a return catch. Opened the bowling and first 2 overs were greeted
with 20 runs. Then reigned them in b y bowling their left hander and ended up
with respectable (and best) figures of 1-25.
Ringer brought in especially to belt the ball at first
opportunity. First ball was outside off and he couldn’t resist having a swipe,
up it went in the air to cover, and their bowler was on a hat-trick. Was worth
his place in the side for the fact that Scott P was his Uncle. That’s age
advancing on you. Also managed to get first slip position which was in no way
related to the fact that his dad’s business is also our sponsor. Play again.
Cometh the desperate collapse, cometh the Scott. Belted a
few including a resounding four, and looked well set to biff a few solid runs.
On comes their left armer and he smashes another rone which is caught right on
the long off boundary, heading for six. Great display in the field defying his Uncle-like
status and was the only one to really dive for anything.
First ball, solid straight drive which deserved more than
the single he got. Looked in control until played round a Yorker and bowled,
for just that single. Bowled best length of the season and at least slowed the
run rate down a bit. Now away for 4 weeks on family holidays so not a poor
Fantasy League investment for a while.
Having exercised some interesting non-signalling at the
start of the innings when standing as umpire (see Stewie) also generously gave
the Chairman not out leg before on 0. His own innings was full of tenacity and
menace, determined to run the oppo off their feet in pursuit of quick ones and
twos. Unfortunately this was his downfall, turning like the Queen Mary in
pursuit of a second run and was narrowly run out. No time to get a bowl today,
but spent the whole innings on boundary patrol.
The Mongoose marched out to bat very confidently, and
displayed some excellent leaves and forward defensive prods to begin with. All
this until played around a straight one and was bowled, our only duck of the
day. Keen in the field as ever, and despite the small total they were chasing,
was unfortunately not chosen to show off his round arm specials.
Looked as solid as anyone at number 10 with excellent
defence and a couple of spanked straight drives for boundaries. Looked in no
trouble until their decent left armer knocked over his stumps, but 8 was third
top scorer. Not finished there, Rosco also opened the bowling and recovered
from a dodgy first over to toss it up nicely on the spot, but unlucky not to
get a wicket from some airborne shots.
Turned up 1½ hours into the game. Ended up 0 not out.
Bowled a classy single over of left arm spin from the left arm spin end which
they were too scared to hit anywhere, which ended up being a maiden with only 2
to win. Got a free tea so not a bad couple of hours all round.