Its Just not Cricket, an Old Feud Reignites

Last Saturday was probably one of the worst days of cricket I have ever experienced in my life. A park cricket game was ruined by idiots who get satisfaction over cheating their way to a huge total.

Throughout the game I am sure everyone in the team thought at some point, 'what is the point of even bowling to these guys'. We should have just given them 300 runs and got on with it.

I hope the left handed Harbord Bowling captain feels fulfilled after his century. Especially after he was out plumb LBW at least twice for a duck. But apparently it is possible to pitch a the ball outside leg when your swinging it in to someone. And it is also possible for a ball to go over the stumps when the ball hits well below the knees planted on the crease.

Later in the game another bloke (on a duck) hit a massive edge behind, not out. We had that ump sent from the field just for the next guy to turn down another caught behind against the same batsman. That guy went on to hit us to the boundary numerous times. Apart from that, Dee had another plumb LBW turned down and we had a runout decision turned down when a guy leaped into the air to avoid the throw which ended up being a direct hit. Conveniently for them, the ump 'didn't see' whether the batsman had made his ground before jumping. What the hell were you looking at then you dead set fool.

So anyway, Harbord, I hope your happy with your 300 runs. I hope to hell we can put you through the same crap next week, and I will enjoy all your uproars when we shake our heads to edges to slip, full toss back leg in front of middle LBWs and 2 metre short run outs. Just remember that it wasn't us that wanted to play the game like this. And if we can somehow pull off 300 runs, we're gonna rub it into your faces.

What a pity, I had gotten over my hate for Harbord which lingered for a while after they cost us a premiership in U/13s, calling off a game because of a 'skidding' pitch because we were in a definately going to win position.

T20 Excitement Makes up for Tight Loss

On Sunday I kept my all time captaincy record at 100% after I led the inaugural CPCC Twenty20 team to victory at Nolans 5. It erased the frustrations of a tight loss to Cromer in 3rd Grade on Saturday.

Captaining again was a great experience, I felt I got the batting lineup and bowling options nearly 100% correct. I stuck with my gut and opened with Josh Toth and David Le, which turned out to be a masterstroke.

Mind you, we had a great team, I would nearly describe it as a Plateau all stars team. Everyone contributed and hopefully we can have the majority of them back for game 2.

In the field I need to improve and take more control, constantly monitor what positions are effective and who is doing nothing. However I didn't make any bad decisions and thought I did pretty well for my first time captaining a senior team.

The game was a cracker and you can read all about it in the Plateau blog. Note down in my goals I have added 'keep captaincy record at 100%' to accommodate the Twenty20 comp. And if that goal is achieved, we win the title (providing I don't get sacked).

I got one up on my cousin Carl in the captaincy stakes but had two put down when bowling to Dane.

Now, on to the disappointing news from Saturday.

We lost the toss and fielded first (AGAIN, D'OH). And I soon learned that I would not be opening, so I could bowl from the outswinger's end after Mick. I wasn't too pleased about it, and probably should have insisted to open from the wrong end (considering I did it last week and bowled fantastic). But anyway Mick and Dee opened and did a great job. I came on at first change and got unlucky. In my 2nd over some guy blocked me for 4, edged me for another 4, got dropped etc etc and I was left with 2 overs 0/21. We took wickets consistently throughout Cromer's innings, I contributed with a ripper run out. I feebly misfielded a drive to mid off through my legs, fired up I charged after the ball, the batsmen set off for another run, I retrieved the ball 3/4 of the way to the boundary and launched it in, demolishing middle stump and catching the batsman short. That spurred on a bit of a celebration considering it was their opening batsman who had been hanging around. Finally I came on again for the 2nd last over with the score at 9 fa and I finished Cromer's innings with my first ball, all out for 168, a poor score at Griffith park. Freddy was again the pick of our bowlers with 4/19 off his 7.

Our innings was horrible for the main part, we were 4/13 then 6/43 and I think that says something about where our batting order is at currently. Batting at 3, Pete survived as everyone else fell around him. His 60 gave us a chance at taking the match with some great hitting towards the end. Steve joined Dee for the final wicket. That's right, they were together for the final wicket. And they put on an unbeaten 36 to just pull up short of the total (8 runs in fact). If only they were higher in the order... Steve finished with 30 not out and Dee 15 not out.

I got bowled by a quick 'spinner' who was bowling more medium pace than spin, for 1. I always find new ways to get out, I couldn't tell you the last time I got bowled simply trying to prod a ball to leg side.

Anyway this week were at back at Lake Park again, against Harbord Bowling. We must get something out of this game, and lets hope we bloody well bat first.

Goals Update:

Lead Comp 6th
Open Bowling Bowled at First Change in 3rds
2.3 Wickets Per Game .75/Game
Batting Average 15 3
Player of Day
Top 10 Club Champion Pts Approx. 31st
Keep captaincy record at 100%