Following 2 weeks of humiliating defeats & the possibility of no game because we didn't have enough players, we turned up at Basildon with a decent team. This included Mark, Ted's dad, who stepped up to help out.
Max had PQ in charge of directions, which meant that a text message of 'we're on the way' resulted in John having to do the toss, losing it, but Basildon opting to bat. Good, we were going to field anyway.
Max had a variety of bowlers to pick from to open the bowling. He settled on Sam & Jamie. Both bowled well, but Jamie was unplayable at times. Sam let a couple of loose deliveries go & didn't bowl badly, but Jamie was outstanding. The bowling changes came after about 10 overs, no wickets down, & the score was about 3 per over. Immediate success, Max finds an edge & Ted takes a smart catch. PQ came on at the other end & strugled with the breeze & the result was a short spell, with Basildon getting on top. John came on, taking the pace off, trying to restrict the run rate. For some unknown reason the batsmen couldn't hit the ball very far & showed John too much respect. On the 3rd time of asking an LBW was given, with the most threatening batsman out. Max & Jamie finished off, Max picked up another couple of wickets, one bowled, one caught by Ted. Jamie getting one caught by the other Jamie. PQ bowled a much better second spell, from the other end, a catch by Sam & one bowled.
Basildon finished on 158 for 7, with extras the top scorer.
Teas were average & we got ready to bat.
Jamie Potter & Joshua opened up & the score raced away, at 10 per over. With 35 on the board Joshua skied one & was caught, repalced by Sam. He continued at the same pace, blasting boundaries at will. Jamie showed some excellent opening qualities, defending well, running well & playing some excellent strokes from bad balls. Jamie was bowled for an excellent 25 & John came in. He immedaitely tested Sam's running by calling 'yes', 'no', 'wait' all at the same time. Sam continued with the hard-hitting & reached 50, including eight 4s & one 6.
Sam was bowled, Jamie replaced him & from then on Jamie had to try to remain batting whilst coping with some suicidal calling from John, who thought that Sam was still running with him!
Jamie & John saw the game home in the 28th over.
A much better performance & a proper game of cricket, showing what we can do when we play cricket well.
