The afternoon did not start well. We had only 9 players, missing Doc and half the black Pak-attack. I called '1' and it came up a 'flower' but I did not have the presence of mind to say I meant '1 flower'. I did suggest, best of 3. I was asked to field.
Just prior to this pivotal event Grocer presented a soliloquy on why it was best to field first. He was happy that the other team had made the correct decision for us. Later on, as they belted us around the park, Grocer attempted, somewhat feebly, to link his decision to field first with using the grass wicket rather than the artificial pitch. As we have no one in our team who can cut an orange, let alone move the cricket ball in any direction other than towards the middle of the bat, I though that was an unwise idea, especially as the opposition have the best off spinner in the SAR - I figured the less assistance he had the better, but thank you Grocer - very insightful.
The first over went like this : 6 (run 2 and ball thrown to the boundary for an additional 4), dot, 2, dot, 4 (through long off's hands, over his head and one bounce over the rope - don't you just love it), (Jones drops Collard on 12 at 2nd slip, bringing forth an avalanche of excuses none of which quite made up for this piece of incompetence) - Weatherman, none for 13 off the 1st, and mildly pissed off. At the other end Jet was bowling like a man inspired. Osama arrived and went straight into the attack picking up the wicket of Collard who was out for 53 - about 45 more than he should have accumulated. After 9 overs the Gap were 0 for 65 and at 13 overs 1 for 105. Jet took a wicket and Raymondo cleaned up Winstanley. Ahmed managed another lbw and the Berger took a 'mark' on the wing in front of a cameraman doing a promo for HKCC. It just needed one bounce and a big raking drop kick through the goals at the swimming pool end and the crowd of about 3 in the Southern stand would have swallowed another meat pie with a beer chaser in excitement. Most of CCC were stirred to vomit in any event. Weather's never quite recovered from the lack of support given at the commencement of the game and went for plenty of his 9.
We went in at the break, chasing 271 - seemed like a lot at the time, but apparently it wasn't a large total in the opinion of that man who thought we should field first.
The Berger and Stead took us to 73 in the 1st 10 overs with Stead reaching his 50 in the 9th. We reached 112 before Berger was run out by the wicket keeper, though Alice has written stumped. Yes another century opening partnership. Century stands are a point of some debate at present, with Grocer harking back to Des' days and of course Gatsby. Jet has 'done the sums' but is unsure of either their accuracy or authenticity. I definitely know who has more century partnerships with virtually unknown CCC cricketers than anyone else!!
Mark was very well caught at short mid-wicket for a handsome 82 and therein went our hopes of chasing the 'modest Grocer' total. The Rambler's reject, Grant Docherty, kept interest alive with a well struck 42 and then the interest focussed on whether I could manage to run Grocer out on the last ball of the day.
Struck to mid-on he ran the first one hard - in fact too hard and I sensed a rat. I waited until the fielder (I think it was Weathers as sub) had the ball in his hand and then called no. Immediately the ball left the fielder's hands and Grocer looked away from the throw, I called yes. Grocer instinctively, at the thought of accumulating another run to his all time leading world average running total, took off for about 2 meters from the crease. I started to come hoping to suck him in further but Grocer, as cunning as any person that I know that has no understanding of the game, would not be lured further down the wicket. The ball impacted the stumps at the bowlers end - the Grocer's bat was unfortunately safely grounded.
We managed 225 - not disgraced. Stead's innings was a little pearler. The lads tried hard - those in international armchairs should not feel let down - just a minor lurch in the CCC juggernaut - we will be back. Maintain your faith, unless you know us quite well, in which case that request would be deemed totally unreasonable - before yesterday, CCC 6th on the table and 15 points off the lead!!!!
Returning to Oz myself - will leave Mainlanders to Stead and Grocer - surely they couldn't stuff that up.
