Beer is Cheap At Liddles

Barmy Kev reports on a day that started unusually optimistically.  However, from the toss of the coin to the end we are told a familiar story.

I start off my journey to Lords in a good mood. It must have been the rare appearance of that key ingredient the sun. Before Sorry the threat of rain, the rush from work I was in a bad mood to start and what followed compounded my misery. I am hoping seeing the sunshine would bode well for the day.

I met up with some of usual suspects at the Allsop Arms for a pint or 3, then at 2PM headed for ground.  A six-minute bus wait, then on bus someone who had a big note that couldn’t be changed meant we were not going to make the start.   A text sent to Lower Pav asking him to report on 1^st 2 overs and he kindly obliged. Here is Lower Pav’s contribution.

" Lost toss as usual. Rayner bowled opening over. 2 runs from it.  Crook 2^nd over 1^st ball Luke Wright wicket. 2-1 from 7 balls. Two 4’s followed off this over."

Reporting duties back to Kev at 10-1 after 2 overs.  

End of 3rd over with score on 16 Machan was caught by Ollie but somehow it bounced out of his hands.  As pinch hitter this could be costly. Not so as 3 balls later Machan was out safely caught at mid on by Dext with score on 17.   After 4 overs quote of day from Lower Pav says "we don't want to chase anything less than 80". At this stage TRJ bowling looks unplayable.

Last ball of Power Play Nash caught in deep by AC. 26-3 off 6.  Promising position but we've been here before.

There was a “who are you” chant as we pointed to the sky at the sun that appeared strongly shining at us.  At this stage an irritating stand was being built.   Very soon after Joe Gatting was bowled.  Styris in at 6, 56-4 with Goodwin at other end. “Old man Old man”. Where's Your Freedom Pass” chants were directed at both. Like the considerably younger pair in Sorry game they consolidated, pushed the singles and 2s and hit the bad ball for a boundary. After 10 overs  the score was a moderate 62-4 after 16th was 108-4,  we really need a wicket. It looks like it's happening but Smudge drops one in deep. Next 2 balls go for 4 it is really going against us. We now would settle for a score less than Sorry’s 149.  Then change of bowling TRJ bowls Goodwin 1st ball of his over, the onslaught is not that painful. 1st 6 of innings was in over 17 off of Crooks “ medium pace”. Last ball of innings at 143 a six needed to achieve Sorry’s score. But Yardy out caught in deep.  144 seems a gettable target.

I need to also mention there were two close run out calls both times hit the stumps and deflection resulted in total of 3 over throws.  I couldn’t help thinking this could be crucial.  

Our innings started steadily but unspectularly. The 1^st time Denly tries to hit over the top he hits hard and high in the air for ages we could have run 4 in the meantime but there was a good catch by Matchan. We are 24-1 off 4. Shortly after we managed 2 fours through 1st slip, streaky 4’s suit us. Then Stirlo deceived by slower ball, caught with another high one. 37-2 We now envisage same old story.

Their slow bowlers are keeping it tight. At the halfway stage with pressure building bowling we are 50-2.  It seems to be slipping away.  With Malan caught in deep with score at 58 and we are way behind the Vera the natives were getting restless.  A 50 stand between Dext and Berg was putting us back in game and we were within 10 of Vera a fight back looked possible. Dext was finding gaps Theron bowled an over worth 14. Just as we were getting close Berg out trying to push on.   Dext out after couple of boundaries that keep us just about within range.   

 We need 22 off 2 overs with 5 wickets down. This can be done, We have Simmo in at 6  and our no. 7 is Ollie. Ist ball of this over Simmo is out. Our no. 8 is Bucko our overseas batting signing  who is out 1^st ball, does this make sense?  The game is now over for us.

Liddle takes a Michelle.  The Beer is cheap. 

 Apart from weather and atmosphere that was better than Thursday, this game mirrored the Sorry game in so many ways.   I will be back on Thuirsday for more punishment but it is clear we are lacking in every department to really achieve in this form of the game.

Bring back proper cricket I say.