This week saw us take the trip to Brasted for our final regular away game of the season. There was no traffic and no team selection drama this week, as a return for Sashi’s chum Karthik took us to the requisite XI by Tuesday morning. Their skipper suggested a timed game, and I was not about to argue. For once I won the toss and threw them into bat, with The Lord donning the gloves this week in place of the absent Stumpy.
However, we would begin the attack with ten men, as Dory got a bit lost en route. When he did turn up, his first act was to save a 4 at square leg with his bollocks, possibly ruining his next holiday to Ayia Napa in the process. His recovery chewed up a good bit of their time, so well done Dory. Walkie made the early breakthrough by castling their Number 2 in a tight opening spell. Sashi managed to find first the glove (not given) and then the edge next ball (also not given) of their other opener, who refused to walk. I’m sure he’s a nice bloke… Dory toiled away with his injured nuts at the other end, eventually getting rid of Mr Non-Walker with a peach that clipped the top of off. Karthik came on for his first bowl for Stone, taking 2-40 off eight overs with catches from Ryan and myself. No luck for Ryan with the ball this week, but Dicky eventually broke their biggest partnership of 66 in combination with a twirling Rossington, before he served up a tempting full toss which went straight through their Number 6. Paul came on very late in the day and delivered his usual first ball wicket in what turned out to be his only over, with Gracie holding on to another good running catch coming in from backward point. Brasted finished on 204/7 in their allotted time.
Tea destroyed, Dicky and I ventured out to begin the reply and I immediately chipped one straight to mid off first ball (there is a theme developing) who handily dropped it. Other than that, it was a solid start, until they found Dicky’s edge and he was caught behind for 4. 21/1 quickly became 22/2 as Karthik looked to attack their succession of slow dobbly bowling from the get-go, but only succeeded in top edging his fourth ball back to the bowler, out for nowt. Next in was Sashi, and he was happy to watch as I clubbed a load of 4s and a 6 to take me to my first 50 of the year (about time). I departed to their slow left armer a few balls later, stumped on exactly 50 with the total on 64. In came Gracie for his best knock in some time with 35*, as he and Sash put on 44 for the fourth wicket – Sash going in the most ridiculous fashion, turning into Lionel Messi as he flicked the ball over his head, on to his back heel, and then on to the stumps, gone for 23. John was in next and crunched his first 4 for the club before a swing and a miss at a straight one saw him back in the hutch. Rossington then saw the innings to a close, with his well hit 2 actually earning us 7 as one of their fielders managed to hit the bowler’s cap and shades placed directly behind the stumps. At the close, we were 130/5 and it was a pretty unspectacular draw in the end.
Without the git that wouldn’t walk and a few too many extras, it would have been a much tighter affair, but never mind. Team spirit was still excellent and good to see Karthik back in the fold. On to awards at the pub afterwards, as we had forgotten to do them at the ground. No SBotD – Dory being the hot candidate for rocking up late, but was exempted after taking a very painful one for the team. Big Pat was shared between Gracie and myself for 35* and 50 respectively, with a nod to Dicky for his 2-21.
– Billy