Match Report vs Cross
Keys 15 May 2016 @ Pontymister (Skipper and report
Kim)
So after last weekend emphatic win can the Casuals make it
back-to-back wins! The format and location for this Sunday
friendly was different from the norm as there were ‘supposedly’
three teams taking part: ourselves, Crosskeys/Pontymister
and Malpas. We were also playing at a different location,
Pontymister, as the home ground of Crosskeys was being re-surfaced.
On the way to the ground our maestro statistician, aka Shakey
informed me that the Casuals will be playing their 1,000th
match today, in the second game of the day!!
As we got to the ground, 2.30ish we thought the first game
between Crosskeys and Malpas must have finished early as there
were young kids playing on the outfields. Upon arriving at
the gate, the Crosskeys’ captain, Tom, informed Captain
Kim that Malpas pulled out at midday. It also made more sense
why Tom texted me at 1.30 to confirm we are still on for our
game at 3pm.
Alas, the 1,000th game will have to wait until Thursday.
Whilst waiting for the rest of the Casuals to turn up the
two captains discussed the format and who to bat first. Without
too much persuading, it was agreed we will play a 30 over
match and that the Casuals to bat first to get the match started
as soon as possible.
Under glorious sunshine and in the blink of an eye we were
3 for 4, or is that 4 for 3! Either way, we were not in a
good position having lost 3 wickets for 4 runs. Firstly, Kim
inexcusably smacked a full-toss straight to deep mid-wicket
for a duck, followed by his opening partner, Britpop, bowled
between his legs for 2 and then Tesh, bowled by a good bowl
that get cut in for the second duck of the innings. The same
bowler, a left arm teenager, did all the damage.
We needed a partnership! Thankfully, the Saviour of Christ,
who has been in majestic form with an average in excess of
triple figures this season, was still there. With his family
watching and supported well by Rob, the two put on an excellent
113 runs in 17 overs before Jesus was bowled after walking
down the wicket for a superb 84 (11 x 4’s (1 all run
4) and 3 x 6’s). 117 for 4. Ash joined Rob and showed
his intention straightaway with two fours. Before you knew
it, he was only a few runs behind Rob. This may or may not
cause the run-out with Rob hitting straight to point and shouted
yes. Ash, who didn’t say anything had no chance and
was run-out for a very good 30. Obi1 came and scored 9 before
being bowled and Tim was given out, lbw by trigger finger
Britpop for a golden. There are two sides to every story and
this was another one! Rob remained 38 not out and with 15
extras the Casuals ended on a very competitive score of 183
for 6 off 30 overs.
Kim 0
Britpop 2
Jesus 84 (11 x 4’s (1 all run 4) and 3 x 6’s)
Tesh 0
Rob 38 n.o (2 x 4’s)
Ash 30 (4 x 4’s)
Obi1 9 (1 x 4)
Tim 0
Pabs 5 n.o
Shakey DNB
DB DNB
Tea (see tea watch) – fair to say everything today
was different from the norm!
The Casuals took to the field with Ash keeping and brother
Stephens opening the attack. With the bowling options at his
disposal, Captain Kim had only one plan, which was to bowl
slow, hopefully straight, and frustrate their batsmen. Pabs
got the first wicket bowling one of their youngsters for a
duck. Their number 3 and the other opener then put on a good
partnership, seeing off the good deliveries and putting the
loose balls away. Both Shakey and Pabs bowled very well against
two decent batsmen. At the halfway stage, we had only one
wicket with 74 runs on the board. DT has replaced Shakey and
Obi1 replaced Pabs. There were two chances up to this stage,
one very very tough chance which almost took Tim’s head
off at square leg, a full-bloodied pull/sweep grazing the
side of his cap. It was quite scary and he did extremely well
to get his fingers to it [Next time Tim, in true Casuals way,
dive for cover and let the ball go for four – it’s
not worth your life]. Difficulty = 10/10. The other chance
fell to Britpop who dropped an attempted sweep at square leg.
Difficulty = 2/10. How costly would this be?
Drinks breaks do strange thing, in first over after drinks
Obi1 bowled their opener for 49 and in the following over,
DT had their number 3 caught at long-on by Rob. Now, I know
we are experts at collapsing but I think the Crosskeys batsmen
did a much better job than us on this occasion with their
next 6 batsmen all scoring a grand total of zero, yep, six
ducks. DT captured the brilliant figures of 5 for 9 (is that
right? 5 wickets for 9 runs!) and Obi1 with 3 for 12.
With the game in the bag and only one wicket required Britpop
was brought on to bowl his experimental stuff. This was his
reward after redeeming himself with two catches – both
of which were straightforward and went directly to him (though
he tried his damn hardest to drop the first one, again). At
the other end Tesh replaced Obi1 and with his third delivery
had their last batsmen lbw for 6. All out for 88 off 23.3
overs.
The Casuals won comfortably in the end by 95 runs. Well done
all.
Shakey 6-1-35-0
Pabs 6-2-23-1
DT 5-2-9-5
Obi1 5-2-12-3
Britpop 1-0-7-0
Tesh 0.3-0-2-1
Bring on the 1,000th match!
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