Set against the backdrop of another pommy castle, the Crossbats met at Windsor for the penultimate match before the tour to Italy.
The Crossbats were bouyed by the previous evening's 20/20 success and had arrived focused on another victory.
Dunbar had a firm game plan after having suffered through some dismal time game efforts and when the coin landed it all kicked into action with the Crossbats skipper electing to field first.
Back in the picture and hoping to make up some ground on 2008 bolter Reeve, was Clive Lawrence. Lawrence was trusted with the new ball and it wasn't long before he was picking up wickets. The opening pair for Cranbourne were removed without fuss and Lawrence was looking at his best. Dunbar was keeping things tight from the castle end and the pressure was bringing wickets.
At 50/3 Crossbats were in a solid position. Fitch and Gumbley relieved the opening pair and continued to build the pressure, resulting in a good wicket to Fitch. Gumbley however was in the wars again and was struck whilst attempting a caught and bowled, bringing his spell to a premature end. The skipper then looked to his strike bowler Reeve for additional wickets. Unfortunately for Reeve this wasn't his day and the Cranbourne batsmen targeted him for some much needed momentum. Fraser was also employed to take wickets with similar results to Reeve and both were dragged before serious harm was done.
Ageing spin option Winch was afforded a handful of overs and would have had an early breakthrough had it not been for the slippery fingers of the captain. However, Winch was rewarded for some wylie bowling with a wicket to add to his impressive tally from Friday night.
Dunbar returned to the crease to pick up a wicket by virtue of a sharp catch from Winch at first slip and his opening partner Lawrence was also bought back on to claim his third and fourth wickets to finish his spell with an impressive 4 for.
Collier came on to perform the last rights, removing the final two batsmen and sending Cranbourne to tea with 165 to defend.
Crossbats had toiled in the field for 48 overs and given that this was a time game, they had been left 45 minutes and 20 overs to get the runs. Crossbats had feilded arguabley one of it's strongest batting lineups and all were confident of knocking off the runs in time for an early evening beer with Her Majesty.
Pineapple, rock melon and coconut were but a few of the delights on offer at the tea break and in the warm temperatures the tropical fruits were a big hit. Strangely ironic however was that the crossbats top order was not........
Collier and Spiro were first to the crease to face an upbeat Ray 'The Razor' Spencer aka Angry Anderson. It wasn’t long before Razor claimed his first victim, beating Collier with one that stayed low and sending him back to the hut for 0. Winch was in and out in a matter of moments, falling to a very sharp catch at silly mid on. Spiro was joined by Wright, who had a cool, calm feel about his approach. Unfortunately this didn't rub off on Spiro who was bowled moments later to leave the
Crossbats reeling at 12/3. Carter was in next and was looking to steady the ship, but it wasn't long before Razor got the better of him, bowling Carter for not many . Fitch looked to be in good touch, starting with a lovely boundary. He looked settled at the crease and it was a real blow to the crossbats when he was dismissed for 9, leaving the team languishing at 19/5. With hope's of victory fading fast, Fraser joined Wright at the crease and managed only 5 before he too was sent packing.
At 27/6 and 10 minutes + 20 overs remaining, Crossbats were in dire straits. Dunbar joined Wright at the crease and the pair had a brief discussion about saving face.
The pair managed to see off Razor Spencer, who's figures of 5/14 were more than impressive.
Wright and Dunbar negociated Crossbats to the first hurdle, 20 overs to play and 135 runs required. Spencer was replaced by some very average spin bowling and with personal enjoyment the only realistic achievement, Dunbar opened his shoulders and punished the bowling with a couple of boundaries and a six. Wright was comfortable at the other end facing the left arm seamer, picking runs off his legs at leisure and the pair took crossbats past fifty.
These two chaps were looking increasingly comfortable at the crease, turning the strike and hitting the bad ball, focused on what they could achieve personally and maybe, just maybe, hanging in there long enough to save the draw.
The longer they stayed the dimmer the Cranbourne mood became and a little in fighting began to creep in. Dunbar was looking in very good touch, driving cleanly and clearing the boundary rope on a handful of occassions. All of a sudden the scoreboard read 10 overs remaining and 60 runs required.......could this actually happen?
Composed and relaxed at the crease, the pair continued in exactely the same vein. Dunbar reached his fifty with a boundary and it all seemed to become quite possible. Wright continued to plunder runs off the left armer and was running two's hard and even getting through for 3's on a couple of occassions.
Cranbourne, realising the imminent danger and embarrassment, tried various options without success and when Dunbar found a couple of sixes and a few more runs from one over, the equation had slimmed to just 15 runs off 5 overs.............
Wright, playing the knock of his season kept the runs ticking over with yet more beautiful shots off his legs and the crossbats looked home and hosed.
Dunbar drew the scores level with 3 overs remaining - This pair had put on 138 for the 7th wicket and had done the job. Jubelation was the feeling that gripped both batsmen and with a flick of the wrists, Dunbar hit the winning....................was OUT, caught at square leg! Oh how he would've loved to hit those winning runs! No matter, he had played his part brilliantly and finished with a season high 83 and rediscovered some form.
Lawrence came to the crease to get the job done and he did just that, sealing victory for crossbats from the most unlikely of positions. Wright was overjoyed and finished with a fabulous 43*.
This was one of Crossbats finest victory’s and it was just the type of result we had been searching for.
Next Sunday, it's the North London Muslims and following that we will come to you live from the sandy beaches of Rimini.
La cane nero é caro.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Monday, 2 June 2008
Crossbats vs Melrose (click here for scorecard)
Crossbats congregated at Melrose on a warm, muggy day for the 8th fixture of the season.
Last years encounter had seen Crossbats up against some sprightly colts and it appeared that todays match was not going to be any different.
The return of Collier to the team was immediately noticable, with the conversational volume going up and the conversational content experiencing a rather sharpe decline. However, with a time game thrust in front of them, the toss won, it would be Collier to take the reins alongside opening partner Clive Nichols.
Neither of the pair dissapointed, both living up to there reputations......one as a swashbuckling run scorer and the other a run out merchant.
With only a few balls bowled, Collier tickled one down the ground - Nichols, convinced there was more than a single on offer, turned and called the second.......however, Nichols was undone by youthful exuberince and a keen eye as he found himself floundering mid pitch with a fantastic view of the young chaps direct hit.
Wright was summoned to the crease a little earlier than expected, leaving his stella to get to a comfortable pommy warmth on the picnic table. Luckily for the beer, it wasn't too long before Arse's lips were cool and wet again, being bowled for 5.
In the mean time, Collier was adjusting to the pace of the pitch and beginning to stroke the ball nicely. He would have had 30 or 40 by this time had it not been for some good feilding and Collier's unique ability to hit directly to the oppostion players.
He was joined by Carter who was looking to continue last weeks good form. And continue he did, hitting a wonderful straight six to get his innings going, followed up by a lusty boundary for good measure. Unfortunately it all ended to soon for Carter, hitting one back to the bowler and perishing for 13.
Spiro, sporting a new B-cup breast implant on his right forearm, looked positive and he and Collier turned the strike and began to put together a healthy partnership. The pair added 50+ before Spiro was dismissed for 10.
Dunbar was searching for some of last years form and began in an agressive manner. The tempo was rising and these two looked as though they could take the game right away from Melrose. Collier, finding the middle of the bat, hit his first boundary in 15 overs and Dunbar chimed in with two of his own. The spinners were on and Dunbar took advantage, hitting a straight six down the ground, followed by a skied six into cow corner. His luck
ran out however, been caught in no mans land and stumped for a quickfire 22.
Collier, who had passed fifty was joined by Smith, who looked in good touch. The pair added more valuable runs - Collier, pushing on towards a ton was now in fine hitting form, finding the boundary on numerous occassions. Smith was also finding plenty of holes in the field, yeilding a plethora of singles and two's. Smith's innings came to an end after he was squared up by a straight one and bowled, not before adding a valuable 17.
Frasers stay at the crease was short lived. Having hit a very nice boundary a ball earlier, Fraser looked to turn one into leg side, but was undone when a young colt took and extremely sharp catch to send Fraser back to the hut for not many.
The message was sent to get some quick runs in preparation for a declaration.
Van Vuuren joined Collier and looked dangerous from ball one. He played some lovely shots and was rewarded with boundaries. Collier, with a century in sight, also began to hit out - but unfortunately his excellent innings came to an end when he feathered one through to the keeper for a well earned 86.
Van Vuuren finsihed with some more boundaries and a lovely six, before Dunbar said enoughs enough, having posted a commanding 217/8, leaving Melrose the target of 218 off about 40 overs.
Lunch was plentiful and it was consumed with vigor by the crossbats outfit.
On returning to the pitch, it would be Van Vuuren and Bob Jones to open the attack. After 5 or six overs it became apparent that Melrose had no real intention of winning this game. They shut up shop and played out for the draw.
Frustrated, the crossbats began to get restless and though the bowling was good, the breakthrough wasn't coming.
Some poor umpiring decisions gave lives to the Melrose batsmen. Bob Jones toiled and finally broke through, sending one of the young colts back to the pavillion by way of a good catch to Nichols.
Melrose captain was next at the crease and looked uneasy from the outset. Van Vuuren was on target but unlucky not to claim his wicket. It wasn't long before Crossbats had there second breakthrough, with Jones coaxing the batsmen to pull, but he got none of it and the simplist of catches was claimed by Spiro.
Reeve wasn't going to miss out and after replacing Van Vuuren, he picked up one for himself when the batsmen missed a strait one and was adjudged LBW.
All the while, one of the Melrose batsmen had been compiling a few runs and looked to be comfortable at the crease.
Things started to take a little turn however, when the batsmen, upset at the appealing from the crossbats behind the stumps, proceeded to inform keeper Collier that the appeals were wasted and shouldn't be considered.....a small exchange followed and this set about creating the tone for the last, dramatic stanza of the match.
With Melrose trickling along at about 1 run per over, Dunbar decided to bring Fraser on from one end and himself from the other.
After Fraser hit the batsmen with a full bunger and then having him dismissed shortly after, the non striker and main Melrose run scorer began to get a little wankerish. Dunbar, wanting to knock the batsmen over, over pitched slightly, taking the whinger on the glove. This seemed to compound the batsmens fear of medium pace bowling and
slow spongy wickets, requesting that the bowling be slowed down so the twat could see it and then hit it.
Riled, Dunbar dragged himself and Fraser from the crease, opting to make a point and give the batsmen a taste of Arse......Wright that is and his effective grenade style bowling.
What frustrated crossbats to the point of some colorful verbal sledging was the fact that this herpie started twating the slower bowlers to all parts. Mape' Carter was the fuel at the other end, tossing up some generous half volleys, to add to this spineless cricketers tally.
With the game rapidly fizzling out and the danger that Man of the match Collier, Spiro or any host of antipodeans might set upon the controversial batsmen, the last overs were bowled quickly and the game ended in a particularly boring, but mildly spicy draw.
The aftermatch was a little icy and the crossbats we sure not to outstay their welcome and returned to the safe haven of the Turks Head, where discussions of the days play, league cricket and coming tours were on offer.
The return fixture with Melrose is at the Wick in a few weeks time and one things for certain - there wont be a timed game in sight and the bowling will be hostile!
Last years encounter had seen Crossbats up against some sprightly colts and it appeared that todays match was not going to be any different.
The return of Collier to the team was immediately noticable, with the conversational volume going up and the conversational content experiencing a rather sharpe decline. However, with a time game thrust in front of them, the toss won, it would be Collier to take the reins alongside opening partner Clive Nichols.
Neither of the pair dissapointed, both living up to there reputations......one as a swashbuckling run scorer and the other a run out merchant.
With only a few balls bowled, Collier tickled one down the ground - Nichols, convinced there was more than a single on offer, turned and called the second.......however, Nichols was undone by youthful exuberince and a keen eye as he found himself floundering mid pitch with a fantastic view of the young chaps direct hit.
Wright was summoned to the crease a little earlier than expected, leaving his stella to get to a comfortable pommy warmth on the picnic table. Luckily for the beer, it wasn't too long before Arse's lips were cool and wet again, being bowled for 5.
In the mean time, Collier was adjusting to the pace of the pitch and beginning to stroke the ball nicely. He would have had 30 or 40 by this time had it not been for some good feilding and Collier's unique ability to hit directly to the oppostion players.
He was joined by Carter who was looking to continue last weeks good form. And continue he did, hitting a wonderful straight six to get his innings going, followed up by a lusty boundary for good measure. Unfortunately it all ended to soon for Carter, hitting one back to the bowler and perishing for 13.
Spiro, sporting a new B-cup breast implant on his right forearm, looked positive and he and Collier turned the strike and began to put together a healthy partnership. The pair added 50+ before Spiro was dismissed for 10.
Dunbar was searching for some of last years form and began in an agressive manner. The tempo was rising and these two looked as though they could take the game right away from Melrose. Collier, finding the middle of the bat, hit his first boundary in 15 overs and Dunbar chimed in with two of his own. The spinners were on and Dunbar took advantage, hitting a straight six down the ground, followed by a skied six into cow corner. His luck
ran out however, been caught in no mans land and stumped for a quickfire 22.
Collier, who had passed fifty was joined by Smith, who looked in good touch. The pair added more valuable runs - Collier, pushing on towards a ton was now in fine hitting form, finding the boundary on numerous occassions. Smith was also finding plenty of holes in the field, yeilding a plethora of singles and two's. Smith's innings came to an end after he was squared up by a straight one and bowled, not before adding a valuable 17.
Frasers stay at the crease was short lived. Having hit a very nice boundary a ball earlier, Fraser looked to turn one into leg side, but was undone when a young colt took and extremely sharp catch to send Fraser back to the hut for not many.
The message was sent to get some quick runs in preparation for a declaration.
Van Vuuren joined Collier and looked dangerous from ball one. He played some lovely shots and was rewarded with boundaries. Collier, with a century in sight, also began to hit out - but unfortunately his excellent innings came to an end when he feathered one through to the keeper for a well earned 86.
Van Vuuren finsihed with some more boundaries and a lovely six, before Dunbar said enoughs enough, having posted a commanding 217/8, leaving Melrose the target of 218 off about 40 overs.
Lunch was plentiful and it was consumed with vigor by the crossbats outfit.
On returning to the pitch, it would be Van Vuuren and Bob Jones to open the attack. After 5 or six overs it became apparent that Melrose had no real intention of winning this game. They shut up shop and played out for the draw.
Frustrated, the crossbats began to get restless and though the bowling was good, the breakthrough wasn't coming.
Some poor umpiring decisions gave lives to the Melrose batsmen. Bob Jones toiled and finally broke through, sending one of the young colts back to the pavillion by way of a good catch to Nichols.
Melrose captain was next at the crease and looked uneasy from the outset. Van Vuuren was on target but unlucky not to claim his wicket. It wasn't long before Crossbats had there second breakthrough, with Jones coaxing the batsmen to pull, but he got none of it and the simplist of catches was claimed by Spiro.
Reeve wasn't going to miss out and after replacing Van Vuuren, he picked up one for himself when the batsmen missed a strait one and was adjudged LBW.
All the while, one of the Melrose batsmen had been compiling a few runs and looked to be comfortable at the crease.
Things started to take a little turn however, when the batsmen, upset at the appealing from the crossbats behind the stumps, proceeded to inform keeper Collier that the appeals were wasted and shouldn't be considered.....a small exchange followed and this set about creating the tone for the last, dramatic stanza of the match.
With Melrose trickling along at about 1 run per over, Dunbar decided to bring Fraser on from one end and himself from the other.
After Fraser hit the batsmen with a full bunger and then having him dismissed shortly after, the non striker and main Melrose run scorer began to get a little wankerish. Dunbar, wanting to knock the batsmen over, over pitched slightly, taking the whinger on the glove. This seemed to compound the batsmens fear of medium pace bowling and
slow spongy wickets, requesting that the bowling be slowed down so the twat could see it and then hit it.
Riled, Dunbar dragged himself and Fraser from the crease, opting to make a point and give the batsmen a taste of Arse......Wright that is and his effective grenade style bowling.
What frustrated crossbats to the point of some colorful verbal sledging was the fact that this herpie started twating the slower bowlers to all parts. Mape' Carter was the fuel at the other end, tossing up some generous half volleys, to add to this spineless cricketers tally.
With the game rapidly fizzling out and the danger that Man of the match Collier, Spiro or any host of antipodeans might set upon the controversial batsmen, the last overs were bowled quickly and the game ended in a particularly boring, but mildly spicy draw.
The aftermatch was a little icy and the crossbats we sure not to outstay their welcome and returned to the safe haven of the Turks Head, where discussions of the days play, league cricket and coming tours were on offer.
The return fixture with Melrose is at the Wick in a few weeks time and one things for certain - there wont be a timed game in sight and the bowling will be hostile!
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