After last week's defeat the selectors' axe fell swiftly, ruthlessly & harshly. Joshua & Cheesey were made scapegoats & were told that their services would not be required. The cut throat world of indoor cricket does not consider sentiment when it comes to selection.
Drew was at the game early, trying to watch other cricketers to see what to do when batting, & text that the game before us was almost over & we might start early. This would have been a challenge as only Drew was there. However, the start was delayed as a Chelmsford Tigers player dislocated his finger in the warm up! John arrived, lost the toss & we were put in to bat. Luckily Nick arrived to avoid John opening, with the rest of the team turning up just in time. Drew & Nick made a good start, finding the walls & running well (actually, Nick ran well & Drew tried to run himself out at least twice in 2 balls.) The score was ticking along nicely until Nick hit the ball at the fielder who had dislocated his finger earlier & was caught out. Joe came in & made a short cameo of 2 balls & no runs. Pooky strode to the crease with league stats in his head, in his desire for world domination in all statistics. Pooky & Drew accelerated the scoring, good running, big hits & comedy moments - Drew's pull shot hitting the wicket keeper straight on the nose, ouch!
Drew retired & Jack came to the wicket. First ball hit his pads, 2nd ball is stroked majestically straight to a fielder & 3rd ball is tucked around the corner towards the wall. Jack calls for a (his first indoor) run & Pooky says "no!!!!!". Luckily the fielder fumbles it & the run is taken, Jack's first indoor run is achieved to much appluase from the balcony. He was out next ball he faced.
John came in & a few balls later hit the ball straight to the dislocated finger fielder who took another catch. Drew & Pooky returned & played well, both finishing with 50s, to take us to a healthy 139 off 12 overs.
As is the captain's prerogative, John opened the bowling to the amusement of Diggers, umpiring his favourite team again. Chelmsford Tigers made a reasonable start, but never got ahead of the run rate. Pooky got a wicket with a fairly high full toss (beamer?), then Jack managed something similar. Jack almost bowled a maiden before Joe got a wicket with a full toss. From then on it was run outs that set an impossible task for Chelmsford Tigers.
Special mentions to Nick for his acrobatic catch, Drew for finding his form again, Joe for tight bowling, Jack for his first run & John for his captaincy. Apparantly, I'm supposed to mention something about the league statistics, but I can't remember what it is or who it's about.........
In the end Gt.Totham won by 50 runs to stay at the top of Division 1 at the half-way point in the season. Next week Galleywood in the league, the week afterwards, Galleywood in the cup.
