(no subject)
Well, the unbeaten run had to come to an end at some point and sadly that point was this weekend. It was a close game though.
With drizzle the day before, I had half-expected to call the game off, but on arrival at the pitch early Sunday, there was just dew on the ground and with the sun out, I called the game on in the hope that it dried out a little come game time.
The pitch was still rather soft and I had intended to bowl anyway, but on losing the toss, I was pleasantly surprised when they chose to bat. I think this was mostly cos they had several players who were late!
Their innings got off slowly and wickets eventually began to fall at regular intervals, although one of their openers, who had survived some rising deliveries, kept going till he was finally bowled for 93. He did comment early on that he had "nearly died" several times from certain deliveries. I did remind him to blame his skipper for choosing to bat ;)
They eventually got to 178-9 from their 40 overs. This was probably about 30 runs too many given where they were at points in the innings.
After a Taddy tea which was glorious, we went out to bat. Tim and Tatie looked good opening up, before Tim was caught attempting to hit a full bunger which was very close to being a no ball for over waist height.
Mark Cross and Mark Stonham were in at 3 and 4 and didn't add too many to the score and that put me in. I wasn't timing anything and despite hitting five 4's in my innings of 26, none were particularly controlled and 3 of which went through hands on the way to the fence. I think I've lost a bit of confidence in going forward with my head and shoulders as the first movement, meaning I've always hitting aerially. Probs something to do with the pitch and the fact that it keeps rearing up at times.
Anyways, at one point we were around 88 - 8 and hopes were looking slim. Shanks and Nick Ross were now in and set about putting together a partnership. This was all going well when Shanks was caught at long on for 46. The fielder looked very close to the rope, but he was given out, so he had to go. We were about 15 runs short by this point and despite a few runs from Nick and Richard Crampton, Nick was out on the last ball of the penultimate over and we ended up 9 runs short of victory.
So, a loss against a good team. I think they'd played some first teamers as there was hardly any play in Hampshire on the Saturday due to the weather. But there ya go. Was a fun game afterall and everyone got to do something, so all good in that respect.
From a personal point of view, I have now bettered my record for run scoring on a Sunday ... currently at 377 with an average of 42. So I'm still going ok. I'd love to get another 228 runs this year, to take me to 2000 Sunday runs, but that might be a tall order given the weather this year.
I do seem to have a dodgy back muscle though and also a stiff knee today, so obviously jarred that during the game.
I think I may also have to rely on other bowlers as my bowling isn't going to well right now. FAR too expensive.