After the devastation of our first loss last week, the anticipation leading up to game three was almost non-existent. Despite the return of Captain Hanlon and the debut of John "Pretty Boy" Webster, the practice session before the game seemed to indicate that some players were tired and it didn't auger well for the actual match, though Pretty Boy's form with both bat and ball in the warm up was impressive and the Captain was moving well after doing 20 minutes of what looked like kama sutra exercises in one corner of the nets.
We lost the toss and were sent in to bat. The Captain, after a lot of deep thought, sent the Serry's into bat. One thing we can now say about Serry senior is he is building some consistency - he hogged the strike (though denying he meant to!) and managed to keep the wickets falling (which we tried to explain to him is the job of the bowlers, not the batter) and it was left to Serry Junior to provide the "settle down" comments, a steady bat and any signs of maturity. Needless to say, no blame should be placed on Serry Junior and Serry Senior's only excuse left is that he is a middle order batsman (after failing at opening and at closing - and yes, next week may leave him with no where to hide). A disappointing 4 of 4 overs (Serry Senior 1 and Serry Junior 3) seemed to back up the lacklustre practice session.
Into the nets strode the Captain and Pretty boy - the two most explosive batsmen in the team. The trend continued in the first over with only 1 run for the loss of two wickets and the spectators looking for whiskey (given the crowd comprised Serry junior junior who is underage, some fatherly advice may be required). It is often said however, that adversity brings out the best in a fighter. Well, that was certainly the case for our middle pair, as the next three overs changed the complexion of the game with our two playmakers taking 16,12 and 26 runs off consecutive overs to complete a magical partnership of 55 off the 4 overs (Captain 34 with two sixes, Pretty Boy 21 with one six on a fine debut) and the team total had moved to a very respectable 59 after 8. In this reporter's opinion, batting such as this from the all ord's may not be seen again in our lifetimes! A superb and possibly match winning effort by this combination. Repeated requests by the opposition for drug tests of our two players were denied by management.
Our final pair, the rock upon which our scores have been built, Smithy and the Doc came out and batted in their usual consistent fashion making 36 off their four overs (Smithy 13 and Doc 23). They never appeared in any trouble and were unruffled by the opposition, scoring with ease. They continue to be the team's most consistent batting pair and have formed a steadfast partnership (rumours that it is anything but platonic are unfounded). The final score of 95 was very respectable and gave the side something to defend.
Serry Junior opened the bowling, taking 1/3 and set the scene. Doc bowled a good over taking 1/6 and Smithy was unlucky not to have a wicket with his 0/11. Doc bowled the final over for the first pair and again took a wicket, with the first pair putting on 26 and the bowlers bowling tightly. Had a number of possible runouts hit the stumps, we would have had them in trouble but our throws were astray early.
The second pair started brightly taking 20 off the first two overs (Pretty Boy 0/14 and Serry Senior 0/6) but the Captain and Serry Junior built the pressure, allowing only one run off the next two overs (Captain 1/3, Serry Junior 2/-2). There was some great fielding, the highlight of which was Smithy's stumping off Serry Junior's medium pace. At the end of 8 overs, the opposition were on 47, still requiring 49 off the last four.
The final pair could not handle the pressure and their tactic of going for it early backfired. Smithy started the rot with a great opening over of 2/-1 including a possible hat trick ball. Pretty Boy continued piling on the pressure with 2/1 including another possible hat trick ball. Serry Senior wiped the memory of his batting debacle (at least he told this reporter he hoped it had) by continuing the onslaught taking 4/-10 including another possible hat trick ball. Requiring 61 runs off the last over, the team felt safe in the knowledge that our Captain was in charge and he completed a fantastic four overs taking 2/-1 with the opposition making -11 for the last pair, given the all ords their second win of the season by a surprising 59 runs! Well done to Serry Junior for five catches and a run out, to Doc for cutting down those fours and to Pretty Boy, a promising debut while trying to look like a real cricketer.
Bowling figures: Doc 2/12, Serry Junior 3/1, Smithy 2/10, Pretty Boy 2/15, Serry Senior 4/-4 and the Captain 3/2.
Medical report : Pretty Boy - sore right side; Serry Senior - damaged pride !
Stay tuned for the next installment, if this reporter can stand the excitement!