"I Know What I'm Doing..."

Feedback relating to Captains Blog thus far:

1. Its an amusing/funny/entertaining read
2. Jon clearly has too much time on his hands

Point 2 is definitely true.

Our second match was a home fixture against Dunny-on-the-Wold (or more accurately, Watton-on-Stowe) a conference side from Hertfordshire. For the uninitiated, conference sides are the true nomads of cricket, often without a ground of their own or a league to play in, they search the region for matches on-spec' as it were. A kind of cricketing limbo (or, if you're Catholic, cricketing purgatory). There are, supposedly, seven levels of purgatory. W-o-S play in the East Herts league division 12 (that's division TWELVE) and this was a pre-season friendly between one side five levels below purgatory and the Canfield Sat XI (friendlies only please) who are clearly heaven sent.

This should be good. And it was.

We welcomed back some old faces for this match, our X comprising:

Bomber
Mike Emery (Ex-Sunday Capt. and the clubs best bat and cricket brain by a mile...)
Andy Davis (Big hitter, nice guy)
Ali
Panther (Making his debut)
POB (New boots)
Preecherman
JW
Paul ('I need a nickname') Lucas
Angus

Sonofapreecherman was unwell and couldn't play on the day, so we were down to ten. Still, a strong side, although perhaps a little lacking in the bowling dept? No chance of that - not today.

I lost the toss and they put us in. I'd have chosen to bat first anyway having played on the same wicket last week and gotten to know its "idiosyncrasies"... but all Captains say that. That's one thing I've picked up.

I know what I'm doing.

"Get your pads on fellas", I said, walking back to the pavilion.

"What are we doing", said Ali.

"Pads on, were batting" I repeated.

"Are we batting?" Ali enquired.

"Yes, we're batting" I said. Again.

"Are we batting then?" said Ali.

He got home in the early hours of Saturday morning after a few "quality wine experiences" with his mate Nico.

Mike and Bomber set about their bowling attack, which was pretty pedestrian. The pitch was slow, low and unpredictable. Mike got out cheaply chasing one he should have left. Bomber again got into the 40's but was unable to convert to his fist half century. Meanwhile we watched aghast as Andy Davis lit the blue touchpaper to start his very own firework display and his 78 was a joy to behold before playing across the line to another low ball. Canfield notched up 215 for 9 off 40 overs. A reasonable score. Depends if they can bat.

They could. The Dunny Openers were scoring at 6 an over off Ali and Bomber so I changed things. Paul took a wicket with his first ball.

I know what I'm doing.

With JW at the other end swinging the ball like a banana we kept up the pressure and, with some great fielding (Bomber took 3 catches in the match) we applied the pressure. Our total was still within range so I put myself on to slow the run rate and to save JW and Paul for the all important 'at the death' bowling. I snared a pair and, with 8 overs to go we needed 2 more wickets. Make that 1 more wicket with 6 overs left. We were now ensured of the draw, but wanted that first victory in, what, 18 months? Cue Bomber back on, a leading top edge and Panther takes the catch at cover point (7 catches in the match - great fielding everyone). Canfield get their long overdue first victory. CMON CANFIELD!

I know what I'm doing.

What was the captaincy like, Jon? Well, obviously there are 11 captains on the field and quite a few ex-captains as well. Mike, Ali and Angus were marvellous giving hints, subtle hand signals and surreptitious whispers that were nearly always acted on. They see the game better than me and let me learn from them. I was pleased to bring Paul on to immediate effect and to move Mike to long leg where he then took a catch on the boundary. Thanks again everyone for for your patience and especially to Bomber, who seems instinctively to knows what I want and is able to communicate this to the field even without me knowing. Nothing short of telepathy!

Champagne Moment. Panther's catch to win us the game with 3 overs left. Brilliant fielding all round matey.

Baby'sham' Moment. My attempted catch at long on (I didn't realise the ball could go so high and that I could be so, what's the word, 'disorientated').

An all round great team effort with only 10 players. Merit marks to Paul and JW for taking 3 wickets apiece - great bowling boys. Thanks and housepoints to Marge and Ali for a splendid tea. The captain's award goes to Angus for catching a skier and in so doing banishing his demons from the last game. He will now be able to sleep at night. I know how he feels.

Next game (the fixture list has finally arrived!) is Sat, 12th May versus Stapleford Tawney, 2.30pm start. Bretty has this down as an away game but I need to check as Panther tells me they don't have a ground. I'll confirm in the week because remember...

I know what I'm doing.

Thanks team,

Preecherman.

PS Napolean is said to have always favoured lucky generals. I assume the same applies in cricket?