g33_7aug06_barrystrollers

Another lovely Sunday afternoon, but not the day to lose the toss as it was bloody hot and ‘airless’ – but lose the toss we did and into the field we went. Shagger and Winkie opened the bowling, and although there was plenty of playing and missing by the Stroller’s opening pair there was quite a few extras (wides and byes) and 5 fours in the opening spell - 54-0 off 10overs. Goughy having a break from behind the stumps (replaced by Muff for this game) and Dave ‘Scooby’ Dewbs were first change. Goughy struggled with his line to begin with and a coupe that were straight were dispatched for 4 (11 conceded off the first over). Scooby also struggled with his line, but offered a ‘mixed bag’ and only went for 25 of his 5 overs. Goughy fought back and was beginning to bowl consistently when he was ‘brought off’ after 6 over – 30 off 6. The Strollers openers were looking settled and the pitch was not offering much for the bowlers. 113 – 0 off 21.

BA and Steveo came on next change. Paul bowled well, but suffered from a few loose balls that were hit for 4’s. Steveo added variety, never quite sure where the ball was going to go – at least it kept the batsmen guessing! As the opening stand continued to grow, the Cazh in the field struggled to keep focused and increasingly found themselves looking elsewhere for inspiration – fortunately there were a number of ‘distractions’ in the shape of females on the boundary…Winkie was brought back to try and break the partnership, and though sent down some fearsome deliveries, the confident batsmen played a mixture of good shots and rode their luck with hard thick edges. The Strollers opening pair reached the double century partnership after 33 overs, and it was BA who took the first wicket (bowled) the first ball of his last over – (the batsman Fiddler – 85). In the next over (Winkie’s last) the other opener (Oram) was run out for 86. This had brought the strollers 3rd and 4 th batsmen – and according to Shakey these were the 2 best batsmen….. True to form the number 3 smacked 2 fours of his first 2 deliveries (off BA). Shagger replaced BA and Goughy replaced Winkie. Shagger managed to snag the number 3 caught at mid off by Scooby, and Goughy from around the wicket got the number 4 bowled (the previous ball the bat seemed to be edged behind – but given not out). The pair managed to get another wicket each in their following over(s) both bowled, and shag bagged another in the last over caught again by Scooby. At this point the Strollers couldn’t bothered to pad up so declared with 4 balls of the innings remaining. 251-7.

The mood in the Cazh camp started to resemble that of yester-season – being jovial and buoyant even when faced with this massive target. Don’t get me wrong there was a bit of a moan about legside wides and the odd lbw appeal that wasn’t given – but nothing out of the ordinary. What was out of the ordinary was the lack off food eaten at tea – never thought I’d see the day….the exhausting stint in the field had taken it’s toll – even Shakey left a cake!!!!

And so, on to chase down the total – in a twisted experiment (first tried this season at Machen when chasing a big total) Steveo partnered Shakey in the opening pair. A steady start was ended with Shakey edging one to slip (11). 23-1 off 5. Steveo followed next over – deceived again by a straight one (9). 27-2-6. ‘Larry’ Roach and BA paired up in the middle and BA was faced with 3 close in fielders (all known as ‘silly’) on the off and one on the leg – dangerous – BA seemed to revel in the duck shoot and after being patient for the first 3 deliveries hit the ‘silly’ leg side fielder square on the knee. This had the desired effect of moving the fielders back into conventional positions. Larry at the other end blocked most of his deliveries, but did mange a nice straight drive 4. BA crunched a super straight 6 before being bowled for 20. 57-3-13. Larry followed soon after also bowled for 11. 62-4-17. By this time the conditions had changed, the sun disappeared behind the cloud, the wind picked up and it was a bit chilly.

Goughy and Richie took up the mantel, though Goughy holed out 20 th over for 7, in came Muff but didn’t last long caught for 2 in the 21 st. Richie and Andy H almost got the Cazh up to the century mark, unfortunately Richie fell bowled for 9 on 92. Shagger came into the attack and got off the mark with a four. Shag managed to hang around for 6 overs and put on a 34 partnership with Winkie, before being caught behind for 16. 128-8-30. Scooby joined Winkie these put on 23 before Scooby was bowled for 7. Andy F last man in and proceeded with Andy H to pepper the boundary. With just 2 overs left the Cazh had restored some pride, and Winkie was on the brink of another 50, unfortunately was bowled on 49. Andy F finished on 16 not out, and the Cazh on 184.

On the whole a good game, though the first half seemed to drag on a bit - from a Cazh perspective!!

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