2005 Season - Calverton - 2005/05/29
Rob writes:
There is almost no better place to play on a balmy late spring day than Calverton, and so it transpired.
Paul got a club record before even getting changed, negotiating to bat without even seeing the skipper, let alone having a toss up! Good effort. Surely a career in the UN beckons?
Bat we did, and the opening pair of Nick and Paul rarely looked troubled against their first team skipper and an assortment of other bowling, both capitulating when looking set on 26. The downfall of Nick after 17 overs bought Crossy to the crease and after a kebab-meat-and-opening-2-run trauma for Basford the day before, we were treated to the real McCoy this afternoon. Simply a stunning innings of finesse and power, and a personal duel with the aforementioned first team skipper (TKO victory to Cross) saw him to a magnificent 132 not out. Shots all around, including an early Champagne Moment contender, reaching his ton by hitting a full toss, from guess who, straight back over the sightscreens or 6. One of 7 6’s which, along with 15 4’s, tells the tale of the knock. A joy to watch for everyone except their skipper who appeared to be affected by the pressure of a Sunday afternoon friendly. Figure of 1 for 65 don’t reflect the one-sided nature of his battle with Ian.
The rest of us couldn’t quite get up to that standard. OK let’s be fair, no-one got anywhere near that standard, but a swift and lusty 17 by Rob (life in the old dog yet), some careful bludgeoning by Jamie (unlucky to be caught near the cover boundary for 18) and some scampering at the end saw us to 248-7 after 40 but what a knock from Crossy.
Cue a locked dressing room door for Calverton before tea (and a top tea too) before we went out expecting some retribution.
Andy’s first over turned out to be a nightmare, possibly the worst in club history, lasting 12 balls. It left Terry commissioning the pencil sharpner earlier than he had anticipated. But it all went wrong for Calverton in the fourth over after they picked the wrong man to try a quick single to. Bizarrely, that man was Rob and he startled everyone within 5 miles by picking up one handed and shying the one stump he could see down from just in front of square leg. 3rd umpire not required. (Rob, how the back came out of that in one piece, God only knows - Smudger).
After that early promise, Calverton got going and took charge. Brutal on anything overpitched or short and finding gaps with ease, they raced to 160 odd for 1 at drinks. Special mention to Benno and Jamie who were the only bowlers to stem the tide at all.
Even a stumble or two after that couldn’t dent the inevitable and praise to their opening bat for his ton, a great knock but not as great as the mighty Mr Cross’. Near the end, a couple of Calverton’s finest got out to shots they’d like to have back, but you know what they say about the long hop outside off stick and the half volley on leg stump. Wicket taking balls the both of them.
So they knocked them off for four with three overs to spare but not before a fine first over for the club from Brad. Great changing room banter afterwards and a beautiful day, 500 runs and the best ton you’ll see for ages. Top drawer.