|
A new venue, under clear blue skies and a scorching sun in Long Ditton. For some it was easy to find with their A to Z, but for others, their GPS navigational aids were misguiding them. For those who waited for the stragglers, pre-match preparations of jelly babies and sun block cream were consumed and applied, respectively, I hope. By two o’clock, we were only six in number, whilst the eleven of the Manhattans (Ravi had won the toss and had elected to bat) were patiently waiting at the square for the openers. Good question, who was going to open? Skipper and manager for the day, Ravi, had to make some decisions. Scenes, reminiscent of Hollywood Second World War epics, where John Wayne needed two “volunteers” to take out the machine gun nest in a suicide mission, sprung to mind. However, two brave souls , in the shape of Guy Martin and Christian Dingwall (normally middle order or tail end Charlies) stepped forward to face the foe … they really did not have much choice! They would be mentioned in dispatches, and I promised them an extra jelly baby!
As they marched to the crease, certainly looking the part, I’m sure that Tennyson’s “Charge of the Light Brigade” was running through their minds, as they nervously looked over their shoulders, in the hope that our tardy regular openers would appear. They did, but it was too late, Guy and Chris were at the crease, time was ticking, and the Old Manhattans were raring to go.
Playing the unfamiliar format of the time game, our limited-over “specialists” faced the oncoming kiss of leather. Guy facing, pushed out to register two dot balls, from Johnson, obviously gauging the pace and idiosyncracies of the wicket. Then, and I don’t know what happened next (does anyone?), but a push from Guy, a call from Christian, and then Hari Kari … most appropriate for one married to a Japanese lady. Ritual suicide, or was it first degree homicide? Guy, who is ,maybe, not as quick out of the starting blocks as he used to be, was easily run out by Johnson. From Guy’s language (I did not know that he knew such words), homicide would have been the charge brought against Christian. Unfortunately, these things happen, and the remorse and pangs of guilt could be felt around the ground. 0 for 1. A bit early for a Presidential collapse!?
In strolls new recruit , South African Dave Naude. In his two previous games, Dave has shown himself to be a useful bowler, but his batting has been wanting. Dave himself admitted that he had been practising up on Clapham Common (I think that he was talking about nets), last week. Whatever it was, he was a transformed man! There is something about Dave that reminds me of K.P. ( but he’s no nut!). His treatment of Jelly Babies was something else. To the wicket, with Christian determined to make amends, they shared a nine over partnership of 46. Christian, played a couple of fine strokes off his legs for boundaries, whilst Dave showed a mixture of reserved and sober stroke play, with the occasional inebriated Pietersen thrash. A massive straight six off Cave ... lost ball, and we were losing time! Eventually, Christian was trapped LBW by Richard, but the ship had been steadied … 46 for 2.
Next, Khalid Saeed, one of the late arrivals. Maybe, he had had time to think about what sort of game he was going to play. Starting steadily and soberly, well that goes without saying, he played straight, taking odd singles and twos , but punishing the short ball to the boundary. Dave and Khalid started to get the feel, with the big hits becoming more frequent. However, in the seventeenth over, Dave had been possessed by the K.P. spirit, and, in trying to go for another “big one”, but D.N. or K.P. miscued, and was caught out. Sorry Dave, but I think that you got 65, not 67 … but well batted, Sir, most entertaining! 117 for 3.
Danish next man in, and under strict instructions from skip to run/sprint between the wickets. What happens next? Is this, possibly a Club record? You Bill Frindalls out there, please let Laurie know. From the seventeenth to the thirty-fifth over this pair took the score along to 305. (It could actually be 314, as I’m afraid that the score book does not reflect the whole story. Whatever it was, it was one hell of a partnership!! Ravi, set our final total at 305. In short, it was wham, bang thank-you, sir!
I would just like to say that in the batting we witnessed, there was an elegance, style, finesse and technique from Khalid and Danish. When you are born with a bat and ball in your hand, what do you expect? Khalid, 107 not out (at least), Danish 87 not out ( at least). Very well played.
So - 306 (if not actually more) set for the Old Manhattans to make! A daunting task for the best of them. One felt a despondency amongst the Manhattans, and who can blame them, as they went off for their tea. A very nice tea it was, and we had china mugs! Anyway, as a timed game, all that Manhattans could really do was play for the draw.
Unfortunately, the Old Manhattans batting line-up is not available at the time of this report, nor the fall of wickets and run rate, etc. The Presidents did bowl thirty-one overs, and only fifty-four runs came off the bat. This was down to the Manhattans' expected approach - who can blame them - and the excellent bowling and fielding from the Presidents.
The star of the bowling show, no not Thorogood (give me a bowl, someone, sometime, please) was Prakash … what a smile, what a grin! This man, in two spells, generated pace, accuracy, variety and movement! Top scorer was byes with 20 (you’re too fast Prakash), followd by batsman No 1 with 16, No 4 with 14 and No 10 with 10. The last scored all his runs in boundaries, including a mighty six and a dented Renault in the car park … sshh! We know who!
BR>
At the end of the day, Old Manhattans managed 80 all out, with Prakash showing the fine figures of 7 for 19. Bravo!!
Thanks to Old Manhattans, in what was the face of adversity, for playing a sporting contest. Thanks to all the team, and Evan who covered as twelfth man. It is a funny old game … cricket Last week to this week … several individuals, names, excelled, and most of the rest of us had quiet games, but we were one, a union, a team!
A 225 run win (at least). Nice drop of beer afterwards, and that’s what it’s all about, maybe!?
Will Thorogood
|