There was not, in my mind, one element of boredom in this game. The Presidents elected to bat, with Danish and Praba opening. A solid start, with a good array of attacking shots from both, and sensible play against a steady opening attack. With the ball coming slowly off the wicket, one or two uppish shots tantalized, or frustrated several acrobatic fieldsman. It is interesting, or maybe it isn’t, that all our dismissals, bar one, were out to catches. We will have to concentrate at our next nets/training clinic in keeping the ball down. Maybe at Lord’s or the pub. An opening stand of 75 in 15 overs laid the foundations for a respectable score and strong advantage, but Praba was soon to fall after that for a sound 37.

Chris Lewis came in at number 3, but was quickly caught out behind for 1, at 86. “The first time ever that has happened to me”, he cried. Be philosophical, Chris, there’s a first time for everything! In comes Tanzeel, and together, he and Danish halted our little hiccough. 83 runs for the third wicket. It was good and entertaining cricket, but finally the lofted ball trapped Danish on 64. Tanzeel was ably supported by the middle order, but Laurie’s whirlwind innings of 11 included a good six. People were asking, what about his dodgy shoulder to get that power? Well, I think the answer is quite simple … old shoulders never die! Out next ball. So finally, at 35 overs and several recounts in the scorebook by Tony B, we had amassed 206 for 7. (Tanzeel 66 run out). Is this a home-field Presidents’ record, you statisticians and anoraks out there? Worried? Maybe? Quietly confident, though.

So after a cuppa, the attack started. We knew that Salix would rise to the challenge. With Praba and Danish opening the bowling, they pinned back Salix’s run-rate, with Praba making an early LBW breakthrough. First change saw Andrew Swan enter the fray with one of the most bizarre overs I have seen. A psychological encounter of lulling Swindells into a false sense of security. I, certainly, lost count of the number of wides he bowled, but then a “beaut”, leaving the batsman playing and snicking the ball to Lewis behind the stumps. Was Swindells swindled into a duck by Swan? A wicket is a wicket! Always slightly lagging behind the run-rate, the Salix mid-field (oops, sorry wrong sport) the middle order showed a determined effort, particularly with Rickman, Kulasingham and Ellis all contributing to their goal. However, with several examples of keen fielding, including Thorogood’s up and under juggled catch (no back-flip), which reminded of bygone days at Twickenham, and Worms’ reflex catch which obviously awoke him from some reverie about antiquarian books, key wickets were taken, and we were able to make the necessary in-roads to victory. Quick mention should be paid to Guy Martin who took the sealing catch to end Salix’s efforts , having come on as sub for Tony B who had injured his ankle. Good team support. Salix fell short by 42 runs, ending up on 164 all out. A good competitive effort, though.

All the bowlers did their jobs well, if not differently, and they were well supported in the field. I would like to say that Tanzeel’s bowling showed good style, and even artistry, ending up with 3-37, and with his 66, I would like to nominate him as “ Man of the Match”. Don’t worry, we’ll drink your champers.

The Presidents will have to wait until the 10th September for the final game of the season against Abdul Aziz at Haydon’s Road … always an interesting match. Jerry Cox will be managing this match.

Will Thorogood