Not since the pre-war (WWII) Ashes, has a game of cricket lasted less time than it took to travel to the game. When the England team sailed to Australia they went via the western side of Africa. We went down the A12, complete with roadworks!!
Of course, pre-travel, the team had gone from 7 to 8 players, then 9 players, then 10 players, then 11 players. A slight readjustment, to allow enough drivers in the team for the long journey to the depths of London, still gave us 11 players. It must be said that all those who helped out deserve a massive slap on the back & Max has promised to buy everyone a pint for helping out. The final icing on the cake was the fact that we had to pay for parking when we got there!!
The actual game started well, John, in Max's absence, won the toss & decided to open, as it's possibly the only chance this season to bat with Joshua. First ball, John slices it, flashing past the hands of point, a close shave. A (3rd team standard) quickie at one end & an old guy who chucks it skyward at the other end was a good combination, but John & Joshua were happy with the bowling. John then tries to force a full delivery & is c & b. Billy comes in next, showing more respect & restraint. Joshua mistimes one to a fielder, followed by Sam Hume & everyone else, Karl, Sam Yeates, Ben & Josh in quick succession. PQ provided the comedy moment of the day, with a Monty Pythonesque run out. Goochie & Henry delayed the inevitable by playing with a straight bat, before the end of the innings, 33 all out. Posibly the lowest score in Great Totham history? The club historians will know.
No tea, it wasn't provided anyway, & we go out to field. 7 bowlers were used & Karl took the only wicket, but there was one drop, so it could have been better.
Only when we finished did we realise that we didn't need to pay in advance for all day parking, we could have got away with a couple of hours.
