Those that were at the game will know why the Skipper is still smiling after the game on Saturday.
It had been a traumatic week in all, as the line-up for both teams changed many times. It did seem that the odds of winning the lottery were better than either team having a full quota.
It even ended with Sloth pinching two of the 2nds at the last moment. Well, Liam was in Jurgo’s car as he passed Newbury train station and Manoj had to bring Pradeep into Newbury anyway? Still the 1sts only ended up with 10 men (that is, of course, if they could find out what had happened to John as he wasn’t picking up his phone!).....
The Skipper got to the Warfield ground with only 15 minutes to spare. Pradeep and Manoj turned up as Sloth tossed up, Welford to bat. This was a good thing as it gave us time to ‘find John’ throughout the first innings.
First out, Ben & Pradeep took to the wicket. It was looking slightly damp, as was the outfield. Pradeep was first to fall with a ball that stayed low. He drove it straight back at the bowler at an amazing speed, however the bowler plucked the ball from his ankles for a ‘caught & bowled’. (0-1).
At this point, after many phone calls to the various numbers of John, a call finally came back in. “Sorry mate, just woke up. How do I find the ground?” He had been working nights over the last few weeks so had just had a quick nap. The phone was gently passed to Herro for directions. John would be there in 30 minutes.
So, Joe Brown was next in. Although in-experienced, he is a very technical batsman. After playing a few shots he chipped up the ball to a waiting fielder. (17-2).
Now, we hadn’t seen Mr Herrington (aka Herro) for a couple of weeks (apparently he had something more important than Cricket to do?), and during those weeks the 1st team hadn’t won a game. Could Herro be our lucky charm and improve our chances of a win?
Ben had been slowly and steadily building up his runs throughout , mainly due to the very slow and damp outfield. However Herro was creeping up on his aggregate run score so Ben, having apparently gotten bored, put one up into the air. A comfortable catch for the fielder, another wicket down for the Park. (37-3).
Time for the Skipper to make his mark. However, after a marvellous drive for 4 and a few singles, he was caught playing a bouncer outside the line (58-4)
Bala was out next. He worked alongside Herro to build up a marvellous partnership of 90. Alas this partnership ended after yet another catch. (148-5).
Next in was John, however as he hadn’t been there long and was in the changing rooms getting his gloves, Liam decided to put himself into bat. Off he strode, with a steely look of determination on his face, closely followed by him striding back with a look of disappointment. (149-6, the 1 run was not Liam’s).
So, this time John WAS really in next. Once Herro realised he was ahead of Ben’s score he decided to chip the ball into a fielders hands (156-7). In marched Herro the 3rd (or ‘Just William’ as he told everyone). He, very quickly, ran out John for being a threat to his run aggregate. (164-8) Those Herringtons are a competitive bunch!
Last in (yes there were only 10 men in the end) was Manoj. In he strode whilst the rest of the team started to place bets that we would be out soon. They were wrong as it was Just William who was the final wicket of the innings. He was bowled out, but not before getting a few quick singles against his name (171-9, all out). Time for tea!
Tea was a simple affair with a fantastic selection of cakes. These were scoffed down by the team in record time ready for the wander back onto the field. The skipper was silently praying that they would get 20 overs in before the heavens opened.
Pradeep opened the bowling with his normal pace. The ball was lifting nicely and John, the replacement keeper for the day, couldn’t get out of the way quick enough so had to use the keeping gloves protect his body from sustaining serious injury. He still managed to take the ball comfortably though. The batsmen were looking worried at the pace of the attack from Pradeep’s end.
The skipper then decided to bring himself on from the bottom end (the slope at Warfield is like the nets at the Park). Forth ball in and the first wicket fell. (0-1).
Pradeep came back into bowl. Off the edge into John’s gloves (after a little juggling). 2nd wicket down. (4-2).
Forth over, skipper in again (can you see a theme yet?). Another wicket, another catch by John. (7-3).
The top order batsmen had been destroyed (aside from the opening batsman, although he was having trouble ‘reading’ the bowling). It was time for the Park to dig in and ensure they didn’t let the middle order run away with the runs. Over the next 6 overs there were 5 wickets (of which there were 2 near-miss hat-tricks) & 2 maiden overs. The wickets fell as follows; A ‘caught and bowled’ for the Skipper, closely followed by a catch from Manoj in the slips. Joe took a brilliant catch over his shoulder. John took another catch behind the stumps and Ben got his fingers to a low ball in the slips. 5 wickets, 5 defeated batsmen walking back to their clubhouse. All these were against the Skipper! (19-8). The eighth wicket was the opening batsman who got a resounding 7 runs of 14 overs.
Pradeep had been bowling amazingly, although only had one wicket at this point. This all changed very quickly by his bowling of the last two batsmen for very little. They both looked absolutely terrified when they faced him! So, it was all over for 21 runs, which was equal to the lowest score the Park had ever scored.
Now, man of the match is decided by the Skipper. Would it be wrong of him to make himself Man of the Match? Well, he has anyway.
Next week see’s the Park facing Sonning 3rd XI. In preparation nets is on Tuesday at 6pm (as normal). This also happens to be the Skipper’s birthday. No jokes about his age please! Please turn up for your chance to face the bowling of the Skipper (hopefully no visits to A&E) or even bowl against the top batsmen of the club.
