An extraordinary new ball opening spell by Jim and Tim rescued West XI to 24 for 7 - yes, 24 for 7, folks - and rescued Cincers from a disappointing batting effort.
It was extraordinary we were playing in the first place.
Over a dozen regulars were not available, including the Vice-Skip with a sore foot, Rockie studying for an exam and the Chairman also out (family engagement - three-line-whip), for a match which looked destined for cancellation late last week.
Step forward a quartet of new boys, including Biraj - kindly lent by BK.
After the Skip won the toss and with an experimental batting line-up (yup, stand by for disaster), Biraj biffed his way to 51, accompanied by elegant left-hander Alex until he discovered the joys of a slower ball and had his off-peg readjusted.
Test Match arrived at the crease with his new bat and Cincers sped towards the century mark when Biraj holed out.
Selfish strolled out with his trusty Salix, and we seemed set fair - our traditional stout opening partnership at the crease and 100 almost on the board.
Tragically, Bevan discovered a whopping great crack in his bat (kept it indoors over winter, central heating etc, tut, tut, Rockie will be furious) and had to use Jim's for the rest of his innings.
'Too heavy,' he muttered before clipping a catch and departing for 12.
O me miserum. Cincers slumped from there to 147 all done, with Tim bowled for 22 and various zeros along the way....including a second-ball duck for El Capitano and for Chris.
Briefly, Jim gave us some 'magic', including a forward defensive that nearly went for a straight six, while new boy Ben imitated absent Will to hit 15.
Tea came with Cincers contemplating defeat against some fine bowling, not just from West XI's Neep but from others including Chris Dane and Aussie opener Mr Boden. West XI's skip Chris Wright - who could be joining us on tour in Portugal - was a bit rapid.
Over winter, Tim politely pestered the Skip about fielding at first slip. He forgot on Sunday and took up post at fine leg.
The Captain, of course, never forgets (apart from match fees) and promptly ordered Tim to his new post.
After Big Jim removed West XI's keeper Bapu by shivering his timbers, Tim took a spectacular to-his-right slip catch - just like on the telly!
Selfish hates being out of the limelight so he took a brilliant forward-diving, ball-inch-off-ground catch at cover to give Test Match his first wicket.
And so it continued, Jim whipping out four for 15 off seven and Tim three for 9 off 7.
New boy wickie Adam Smith kept superbly behind the stumps as West XI subsided in a heap.
All over? Not yet - bowler Neep turned in a blistering 64 (next top score in his side was 7!) to keep Cincers at bay, advancing down the wicket and carving the second-string around the park despite desperate dives all round including from new boy Mark Hookham.
We also managed to spill five catches....
The Skip's leggies (0 for 27 off 4) wilted and Selfish (one for 8 off 5) seized his chance to restore order.
Eventually, Neep holed out off Alex's medium pace (two for 7 off 3) to a beautifully judged outfield catch from Selfish who also took the last wicket.
Now he has to buy a new bat. Jim's isn't good enough for the likes of him. Typical.
Result: CCC won by 46 runs
No comments:
Post a Comment