A cheery welcome one and all to Captains Blog. After last week's wash-out, the sun decided not so much to put its hat on as to wear one of those neither-one-thing-nor-the-other sun cap/visor thingies adorned by women golfers the world over. In other words, we had a bit of sun but a fair bit of cloud and wind as well. This might help our bowling attack...
We hosted Nazing Common on Saturday, or more more precisely their Colt XI plus one or two old hands to lend them a bit of experience. One of these, Graham their Captain, cheerfully called heads as the pound coin came down tails. I put them in. It was the same wicket as last week and still a bit, well unpredictable? And might just get firmer and quicker as the day progressed. We could but hope.
Due to a fantastic Captain's blunder, we started at 2.20pm (Nazing thought it was a 2pm start and were raring to go) but we only realised we had 8 fielders when I asked Sonofapreecherman what end he wanted. Cue Angus tearing across the boundary in his pick-up, soon followed by Panther and Greg. I asked Greg to go to cover whilst pointing to Mid Wicket. Captains blunder #2. I know what I'm doing. Not.
We wondered whether Bretty might want one of those secretary chairs with wheels to sit on whilst he kept wicket. His usual forthright response was not unexpected. He kept wicket brilliantly all day and gave Angus a rare run out in the field.
The game? Nazing were a bit mouse really. Colts can be fantastic, gifted prospects, or not. These were not, well not in the batting dept anyway. But they were well-mannered, keen and enthusiastic - not the kind of gel-haired, ear-ring councils estate chavvers that can sometimes infiltrate village cricket and spoil the fun. They were, however, skitelled out in 31 overs for 130-odd with Ali the pick of our bowlers (welcome back matey) with 3 key wickets. Brucie was making his long-awaited season's debut bowling very slow, loopy, off spin and got 2 wickets. I wondered what it must be like to face Brucie - a mixture of unbridled joy followed by terror as the ball thumps the wicket I should imagine. I put Panther on for a bowl. He deserved his opportunity what with, well Panther like fielding of late, and he did not disappoint taking 3 for 6 in 2.5 overs to wrap up their innings. Paul however bowled as if in another time zone which 16 hours ago was true. He needs to fly Business Class in future. Mate - get an up-grade and put it on expenses next time you fly back from the Far East.
Canfield cruised to a 7-wicket victory with 4 overs to spare thanks to solid knocks from Mike, Ali and Steve Oakey. The wicket did get better and although the Colts could bowl better than they batted, it was still men against boys. So let's take a look at our record to date, shall we? Played 3, won 2, drawn 1 with one match abandoned. I know what I'm doing, part deux.
As Captain I give myself a small pat on the back for taking Neil's advice and switching Brucie to bowl from the Takeley Rd end, simultaneously allowing Ali to use the wind to help his in swing. And for putting Panther on ahead of Steve. Yep, things worked out fine and again, Bretty, Angus and Ali provided invaluable help and support. All round, a great team effort.
Champagne Moments: Panther's 3 for 6 off 2.5 overs. Well done sir.
Man of the Match: Ali
Mug of the Match: Me, for starting without a full team (duh!)
We're away to Nazing next Saturday (2pm start) so maybe they'll be out for revenge, or play a different team. Whatever happens, we have our unbeaten record to think about. I never thought I'd be saying that in late May. I will call all those playing on Saturday to make sure we all know how to get there as their ground is a bit off the beaten track. And a note to Angus if he is reading this to help bring the kit? Do you want to pop around at 12.30 on Sat, mate?
I hope to see you all at the pavilion drink-up this Friday night, bar opens from 7pm. But please observe the Captain's drinking curfew. Yeah, right.
Well played everyone. Cricket? marvelous isn't it?
All the best
Preecherman.
