SCORECARD

A picturesque venue, ruined as usual, by cricket.

The rolling Northamptonshire countryside played host to a hastily rearranged fixture that saw Fitmen take on Everdon. The ground, like the undulating hills around it, sat on a bit of a wonk with one side of the field approx 3 metres higher than the pitch and the other side being around 3 metres below it, Lords eat your heart out. The pitch itself had been left uncovered during the previous day’s downpour, the resulting surface was a soft, pudding like track suited more for growing potatoes than batting. And so, obviously I immediately decided to bat upon winning the toss; reason being, we had won the toss!

Fresh from a Wednesday game which saw my maiden fit-fifty, and with an absence of Harry’s usual opening partners I decided to insert myself into the number two spot. Full of confidence, and after the first ball delivered sailed wide of Harry’s leg stump, I stood tall at the crease eyeing up the boundaries in all directions, deciding which I would dispatch the ball to first. The bowler steamed in, he was quick, but the ball delivered appeared upon initial inspection to be a delicious half volley served straight into the slot and so I prepared myself for an enormous hoick. My bat lifted, as did my head (perfect technique, always lift the head) and with an audible whoosh the bat did swing through. It was the perfect shot; however, the ball was wrong. Instead of a straight half volley it was a full, rapid, in-swinging delivery that took leg-stump out of the ground and sent Skipper Mould packing.

Sam Moore was in next and unfortunately also suffered rare defeat with one keeping low off the same bowler. Gone for 4, Fitmen were in trouble. Si Howarth would also go cheap caught on the pads playing across the line. The pitch was dreadful, some balls staying low and zipping on and some balls leaping dangerously at head height. Harry even had to borrow a helmet in order to continue his innings, and I don’t think that has happened before. Harry however, was the hero of the day, earning 55 runs from 50 deliveries, a massive achievement given the conditions and it just goes to show off his genuine talent. The opposition saw what was happening and changed their actions and bowlers to something more playable. Still a very difficult surface even against slow bowlers Stevie Nicks was able to push on and score 20. Billal was in next and in uncharacteristic form played a really sensible innings, grafting away initially before going through his usual repertoire to fall just short of 50. Sam Lockyer partnered Billy for most of his knock in slightly different style. It was 15 balls in before Sam squeezed a single and got himself off the mark to loud cheers and applause from the Fit-stand. It would go on to be a titanic 42 ball, 8 run knock which has got to be a record. At one point I’m sure I heard Dom Sibley shouting; “ Get on with it ffs!”. However, he played an important role in enabling Billal to play his full innings eventually taking our score to 163.

With the ball, starting down the hill was Ashfield ringer Mo Asad who bowled a superb line and length with good wheels and eventually one wicket the reward. Other notable bowling performances from Billal as usual also claiming a scalp. I bowled alright taking a ginormous thick edge that was not given by the umpire despite being given by the umpire at square leg. The batsman was subsequently sent packing next ball by the square leg who declared him short of his mark, run out, later telling us that the decision was made due to the previous edge not being given. Ian Nutt however was the star of the show, adding to his bulging pockets and giving Jonesy some company, adding two wickets to his increasingly impressive haul this season. Fielding as usual was excellent, special mentions to the ever-committed Stevie who really is a class act in the field. Catches for Sam Moore, Asad and Simon adding to the strong display with Bal also claiming the earlier run out. Its always great to see players staying aggressive and committed in a game that looks to be a lost cause.

All in all an enjoyable occasion and a great opposition should create a new and entertaining fixture going forward