SCORECARD

Rough Winds do shake the darling buds of May

In cricket, early-season optimism is often fragile and easily spoiled. In May, a squad might look full of promise, batters in form, bowlers hitting rhythm, confidence high. But those “buds” are fragile. Even the most beautiful and hopeful beginnings can be quickly ruined. But less about the T20 team. The Sunday Fitmen are on a roll.

It’s official. And not just any roll, this one would be devilishly sprinkled with Linseed, crusty yet chewy, soft but structured—not dense or doughy, nor dry or crumbly. It’s an Old Mo roll. Chip butties arranged for tea, dressing room banter set to “high”, with the mandatory last-minute drop out (Mould stuck somewhere on a plane), the Fit10 were again rescued by Bilal at the 11th hour.

A strong looking team, full of bowling talent. A few pre-match injuries were negotiated with the line “so you won’t be able to bat then?” and as if by magic, apart from skippers thumb, we were all ready to go. Gurms, the Leamington skipper cleverly called Tails at the graveyard and immediately elected to bat. Good toss to lose as it turns out, as the ensuing 30-minute downpour soaked the pitch, before covers were grudgingly rolled on.

The man of the moment, with an infinity batting average and newly awarded Fit tank top donned, Dee Digpal was asked to open the bowling with seasoned pro, Rana Singh. Both found movement off the pitch and delivered a delicious 1st 10 overs. The introduction of the new 5 overs from each end concept makes a Captain’s life so much easier. Only 8 times for the collective cry of “Where am I and Why am I here?” rather than the standard 40 times for an existential crisis.

As a result, Fit fielders could concentrate on stopping and catching the ball in their favourite positions, which they did to great effect. Always in the right place, at the right time, the ever-dependable Rich Bice began his terrific afternoon’s work with a smart catch from a beauty from Rana, to account for the dangerous Khalsa opener. “House” had already been called in our favourite game of Bicey Bingo, hit inner left foot, both shoulders and a particularly nasty one to the sternum in the first 20 minutes. Lord what fools these mortals be!

Dee has the makings of an epic Fitman and his 8-2-28-2 spell on Sunday against the oppo’s top order was exemplary. Great control and variety, the batsmen never looked comfortable. Top that with effort and attitude on and off the field and as the bard said “Some are born great, some achieve greatness”. If Dee and Rana exploited the conditions, I would say that the batsmen were far too aggressive when it was a day for watchfulness and picking off runs. Maybe they knew that a certain nemesis bowler was lurking in the wings, so they made a team pact to get on with it?

Net-bowler of the year, Stevie Nicks on 1st change, delivered his mandatory beemer no-ball, smacked for 4, but then settled into his own esoteric groove for a tight and un-lucky not to grab a wicket 0-23 off 7. As we approached drinks, it was time to give the crowd (Jonesy) what they wanted. Talking to the Khalsa batsmen afterwards, they had all been dreading this moment. Indeed one lad said, “when we turned up and saw he was playing, we knew we were done for”. The stuff of nightmares? Malcome Marshall? Warney? Nutter?? No, just the diminutive Samual Lockyer (slight shoulder twinge earlier all forgotten) handing his cap to Bal umpiring.

Words never seem to do justice to the 6 overs and 7 wides that this reporter witnessed. It looked like 35MPH looping veggie product from where I was standing, but to the already perfectly set middle order who had been timing everything nicely, some sort of rupture in the space/time continuum occurred. Wide eyed and mesmerised. Under a dark spell, they couldn’t get it off the square. Main bat swipes at a juicy looking full toss and Prasad takes a regulation catch. 2 balls later, one pushed through a lot quicker dislodging the bails and ruining a mans day for the 2nd season in succession, trudging back looking imploringly to the heavens? 3 down goes to 5 down at drinks and the tide has inexorably turned.

Sharifs 1st 11 ball over of utter drivel was just a prelude to a scintillating selection of wizened floppers and whizzers. 4-1-18-3 and this from a man who in the car park pre-match was begging not to bowl (coz he wanted a bat). What a talent. The multi-talented Prasad showed everyone what spin bowling was all about turning it both ways with only super keeper’ Bicey able to thankfully read it, delivering another top class stumping along with another catch to bring the innings to a close. 155 All out. An excellent performance by all.

3 large portions of chips from Hot Spot, 3 loaves, butter, malt vinegar, sea salt, a wide selection of condiments, jalapenos, grated cheese. All washed down with flagons of sugary tea? Cardiologists eat your heart out.

Suitably sated, Harry on the back of a match winning knock the previous Sunday looked in great touch from the off. Prasad was aggressive plundering four boundaries in a quick fire 21 off 13 balls before being caught. Billy an unused bowler in at 3 was in a watchful and respectful mood, which was exactly what was needed in setting up what was to be the match winning partnership with Eames. The Leamington bowling was excellent, with the bat being beaten consistently, but these 2 built a solid foundation, working the ball for singles, keeping the score ticking over. Harry was imperious with 8 fours finally reaching his half century bang on drinks. 89 runs was pretty much what Khalsa were on at drinks, but we were only a solitary wicket down.

Ever the brilliant sportsman, Harry offered to retire when we got to 100 runs, to let others have a bat. Top man. To be honest, although glancing at the scorecard, this looks like a regulation victory, the standard of bowling was high and the pitch was not an easy track, so to retire on 56 off 78 was a stupendous Man of the Match effort. Well played sir.

Waseem in at 4 after waiting an age, found the going tough with some accurate stuff, smoked a nice boundary but was out caught, then Sharif bowled by one that cut back off a good length could have been an issue had we not still have plenty of wickets left. Billy with the most sensible innings I’ve ever seen him play, was out for a very good 44, after being badgered by Bal to “Get on with it” (Bal was getting cold n grumpy).

Still needing 20 to win, it was never in doubt as the Khalsa nemesis Lockyer nurdled useful runs and Rana did what Rana does, smash the ball very hard from the off, delivering a massive 6 onto the golf course to complete a very satisfactory win for the Fitmen.

May the Sunday winning run continue for the rest of May!!