Detail: 27-09-2020 - Streatham & Marlborough


Result: Won by n wkts
Blues vs Streatham & Marlborough 27th September

Despite cricket being a game that in theory only 11 players can play each week, the Blues have hit the dizzy heights of almost managing to field a half century of different blokes this summer. Which is truly remarkable and is sure to please the Blues' self-appointed Director of Inclusion. We had one Blues debutant this week to keep that number clocking up and featured the third Olly of the season, all who have spelt their name differently. 3 Ollies goes along with 3 Wills, 3 Sams, 3 Matts and of course the Two Harrys. Sadly we haven't seen two Edwards this year so I haven't been able to wheel out my '2 Eds are better than one' line, but I've crowbarred it in here anyway, so all's well that ends well!

The Blues gathered in Dulwich for the early start of a noon kick off, again sporting 12 gents this week, all resplendent in various forms of knitwear. The weather was a world away from last week, and temperatures dropped so low that even our hardy Scarbadian was seen briefly wearing a jumper. The toss was lost and the Blues were made to field first. So cold were all the Blues that the fielding was full of energy and vigour, with 3 people backing up every throw from the boundary and a constant cacophony of noise greeting every new batsman.

Rory Collett has overtaken Alex Pike as the Blues' current most unlucky bowler, bowling spells full of fire and brimstone and yet not taking any wickets. To illustrate the point, Rory ran in hard and the batsmen scooped it skyward before it was obligingly dropped from debutant Olly. Olly, nobly blamed the dark conditions for not being able to see the ball (a new excuse this year). Despite the fact it was the brightest part of the day being 12.15. Rather, the fact that the ball looped towards him so perfectly aimed that it thudded into his chest as he failed to even get a single hand on it, slightly gave the game away that he had in fact been up til 3am the night before doing god knows what. A ferocious growl from Rory as he turned back to his mark. More growls followed as batsmen found edges and false shots all of which dropped to open spaces and not to fielders. This was not to be Collettos the Brute's day to shine.

Alex Pike, battle scarred from too many drops to mention, has finished the season superbly, cementing his position firmly down the batting order with some beautiful bowling. Opening the attack with Rory, Alex bowled at the stumps repeatedly, getting the ball to swing from the hand inwards to the right hander. 2 quick wickets from Pikey, a bowled and an LBW that was plumb. Very quickly the Blues were in the ascendancy and all Blues bowlers were to follow in Alex's footsteps and stamp their authority on the match. The oppo's number 4 came out to bat, a strapping Jamaican lad, and started bashing the ball around the park with that distinct Caribbean flair. After scoring 3 4s in quick succession the lad decided he was seeing it like a beach ball and advanced down the track to Alex Pike. Pikey bowled a gem of a delivery that moved in the air, off the non-existent seam and cannoned into the top of off stump. Dismissed for not very many and suddenly the middle order was exposed. 43-3 and the Blues were all over the oppo like a rash.

After a combined 12 over spell of Pike and Collett both boys were retired and Olly Bromfield and Richard Mullett were given the ball. Olly settled very quickly into his rhythm. Starting his spell with great disguise in the run up, the tall figure of Olly causal trotted to the crease and then threw down left-arm thunderbolts, making fantastic use of great height and fast-twitch. Olly bowled well without reward, going for only 18 runs in 5 overs featuring 1 maiden. Olly bowled a great left-handed line across the right hander, seeking the outside edge. After hard work the outside edge was found and the ball flew like a rocket and threaded the eye of the needle by passing between a rooted Jenkins and a flying Alex Pike. No wicket for Olly.

Enter Mullett stage left.

Richard M arrived late despite having multiple texts from yours truly about the start time throughout the week. But alas, old dogs, new tricks and all that. However, The Mulle? was obviously delayed as he had met the oppo umpire before the game and bribed him with promises of free legal advice in exchange for wickets. This tactic paid dividend and Richard wreaked havoc on S&M's middle order. 2 LBWs were given in 2 balls and in no-time at all Mullett was on a hattrick ball. Absolute scenes. 3 LBWs given by the same umpire is almost unheard of. The oppo clearly won't be making him bat 9 and officiate again. A poignant moment came as one of the Richard's victims walked out to the crease hastily padding up. Mo, saw the lad was having some trouble and ran over to help finish off one of his straps for him, making sure he was wrapped up and ready to do battle. A touching moment and one that brought a warm glow to all. Alas, Mullett was having none of it and got him out golden duck, revealing the cold executioner that lurks behind that smiling visage. Off he had to go. Richard then finished his spell by bowling beautifully to castle his third victim to bring the score to 76-6 after 17 overs.

Rich and Olly were then exchanged for Mo and Alistair. Alistair has done a sterling job of managing expectations this year, batting well enough to make Youcef nervous and then being asked to do a job with the ball in the last 2 games and bowling far better than any part-timer has a right to. As Alistair steamed in, cries of 'King of the North' rang out around the ground and Ali scared the batsmen with ferocious wheels and more than a sprinkling of chin music. Years of digging must have hardened the back muscles as the pace kept ramping up and the line and length remained good. The oppo lone opener had remained standing throughout, playing with caution and circumspect. However, Ali was too much for him and a short one to his mid-riff saw him glove it for wicket-keeping Wardy to take calmy. 2 wickets in 2 games and Ali was a happy man. 85-7

About this time skipper Jenkins started getting a bit nervous about how many Blues were going to get a bat chasing what looked like a small total. With that in mind, Jenks decided to absolutely botch a run-out chance, after some good fielding by Mo, to ensure runs kept clocking up. Similarly, when Jack Ward took over the gloves at drinks, he had a slightly different tactic but with the same result. After being told he was not opening Jack calmy received the ball in his gloves when the batsman was stranded half-way down the wicket and declined to take the bails off, claiming he had no idea there was a run out opportunity. Good bluffing all round.

A small partnership blossomed until Mo proved the old cricket adage that 'shit balls take wickets' and threw down a rank long hop which the young lad sliced horribly to be taken tidily by Richard at point. Mo, then grabbed another scalp with a good delivery, caught by a safe-hands Youcef in the field.

Special mention to the fielding, with great commitment all round. Alex Pike continued his run-in with objects whilst fielding. Showing great energy and commitment to the cause he hared round the boundary to stop a well hit ball, only for it to ping up and smash him firmly on his left cheekbone to head over the bar for 4 runs. Rory Collett, in a similar scenario covered about 60 metres channelling his inner sprinting days to run so fast that he reached the ball before it had reached the boundary and dived right past it, crossing the line in first place in his imaginary race, but sadly leaving the ball behind so that it made its way over the rope for 4. Harry Tawney did his best to imitate desire, by diving at a falling ball. It landed just short, but HT did a great job of getting there just as it hit the ground, so much so that he drop-kicked the ball with his forehead, just getting to the bounce of the ball, wearing it on his face, and providing much merriment all round.

The number 9 batter then started giving the Blues some punishment. After giving 3 LBWs he knew he needed to play the innings of his life to ever get picked again and he wasted no time smashing the ball to the fence. The scoreboard kept clocking up and got up to a respectable 3 figures and then 120 and then 150. The Blues quickly rotated through the bowers to see how could dislodge this tricky customer. A bit of magic from Mullett who decided enough was enough and the number 9 was suckered into a loose shot which Youcef gobbled up in his paws. 171 all out after 34 overs. A good amount to chase, but what felt do-able on a good wicket with a strong batting line-up with 40 overs to chase it down. Great bowling all round, having 6 top bowlers who all challenged the batsmen and took 10 wickets in 35 overs. Showing again, that despite the agreed format, the Blues don't play 40 over cricket.

After fretting all week about how he was going to keep all the Blues' bats happy, Jenks decided that attack was the best form of defence. With that in mind, the dice was rolled and the crowd favourite Team Tawney tactic was used to open up the batting. Knowing no-one would object to Jason Roy and David Warner kicking off proceedings this was a sure-fire way of making sure the chase would start with fireworks. The Tawneys started perfectly, setting up the game for the rest of the team to finish. The superb strategy immediately came off as Harry Tawney parked the opening bowler for multiple one bounce 4s right back over his head. The oppo's heads were rattled. What was going on here? Who is this bloke?

One of their opening bowlers was bowling absolute fire, which from the side lines was far too quick for the eye to follow on such a gloomy day. Harry T did a great job of avoiding the strike to this individual and left Archie T to edge, play-and-miss and nurdle his way to double figures. Harry T facing the other bowler was keen to make hay while the sun shone, knowing his stay at the crease could end at any moment. Perfecting his golf swing, HT swung through the line and rocketed a delivery "into Norfolk" (& I'm quoting the man himself here). As we all know, one big 6 only encourages Tawney senior. Next ball, HT swung again to send the ball into the stratosphere. Sadly it didn't quite have the legs and a ball that was surely dropped all the way was taken in the most casual manner by a very surprised fielder. HT had to go. However, the boys had got to 33-1 after 6 overs with HT notching up 24 of them. A great start to a chase. 24 overs to get 138 more. Over to the rest of the Blues.

Youcef walked to the crease and got off the mark with 2 trademark nurdles. Unfortunately, Youcef had to face the rapid bowler and an interesting battle commenced. Doing a great job of absorbing the bowlers' blows, playing under his eye and leaving well, Youcef managed to see off a few overs. However, he was undone by a jaffa of a delivery that seamed in at pace. Knowing he had been dismissed by the skill of the bowler rather than a batsmen error he walked off for 2. Enter Fitz to join Archie T at the crease.

Archie did a great job of surviving for a few more overs and toyed with the slip cordon, teasing them with edges galore. Nutmegging them, nerdling, placing edges immaculately in the gaps between 1st and 2nd slip, Archie battled his way to 15 runs and then was bowled. Both openers adding on a collective 39 in not very many overs is certainly a good family performance.

Despite Fitz playing a different game to the rest of the batsmen (which we will come onto shortly), we were treated to a fine Blues middle order collapse, with Youcef already gone and then Jenkins and Jack Ward departing for a total of 6 runs between the 3 of them.

Onto Fitz, aka KP but without the aggro, who single-handedly set about demolishing the opposition bowlers. Rumours are Fitz ended careers on Sunday, as he hefted the willow as a woodsman hews down thick oaks, raining merciless blows upon the bowlers as he punished anything short or in 'the slot'. It was relentless. As fielders were pushed back Matt upped his power and simply hit it harder, easily clearing the boundary ropes.

Alistair joined Club Captain FitzGerald at the crease and played a good foil to the bombardment at the other end. Alistair was off the back of 2 LBWs in 2 games and had had strong words with all of the gathered Blues before his innings. 3 LBWs in 3 games from your team-mates is probably enough to destroy a changing room and give up cricket for life. With that in mind, Alistair continued his trigger movement of putting a massive front foot stride firmly in front of middle stump. Obligingly the bowlers targeted that front pad and drew numerous LBW appeals. With great fortitude consecutive Blues standing umpires refused to raise the finger, to an increasing growing disbelief among the fielders. To get out of the firefight, the umpires were quickly rotated. After collecting 17 hard fought runs, Alistair was finally cut in half by a great delivery that jagged back and hit the stumps, departing the field of battle.

On came Mo, as jumpy as a box of frogs and ready to show us all what he can do with the bat. Despite the fact there was only about 10 runs left to get off c18 overs, Mo was immediately draw into drama that was straight off the Sunday league football field. Their burly bowler had his tail up after dismissing 3 Blues, but also justifiably sensitive after being pounded by Fitz, so that his mental state was anyone's guess. Seeing Mo out of his crease, he ran in picked up the ball and hurled it not at the stumps but at Mo's crown jewels. Mo, understandably was rather put out by this and there followed a bit of hand-bags with the bowler who refused to apologise or back down. Mo eventually had to leave after smashing one skyward that was gobbled up by a fielder. And then Olly Bromfield came to the crease and had the privilege of not facing a ball and running a bye for victory.

The Blues had managed to chase down 171 in 28 overs, thanks mainly to Matt FitzGerald, who scored over half of the 175 Blues' runs. Upon closer inspection of the scorebook, Matt totalled 88 runs (not 84). 8 singles, 1 two, 7 sixes and 9 fours. The scorer is forgiven as there was a lot to add up and he was distracted by a truly remarkable Victoria Sponge. A great team performance all round, with the bowlers bowling tremendously in Glenn's absence and really setting the game up for the batters to bring it home.

Special mention to all for taking advantage of the club house's 'autumn offer' of a 4-pint jug of beer for 6 notes, bringing back fond memories of the Turk's Head for all. Youcef did his best to stay awake all night and treated myself and Rory Collett to a little-known pub in Dulwich where we set about having a late-night roast dinner and a few Guinness to make the most of the last day of summer.

It's been a great summer of cricket this year with lots of new faces and plenty of old ones. Somehow, we have managed to fit in games every single week since fun was allowed again, and sometimes even 2. The Yorkshire Tour was squeezed in and on tour everything was squeezed out of us, leaving nothing behind. I hope everyone has enjoyed representing the Blues this year, with caps and head-pats given out in spades. It is a long winter but I'm sure Youcef will have us netting in no-time at all (there are rumours of a net at the Oval... or in Mullett's allotment).

Next in the social calendar is a socially distanced BYOB curry this Friday in Tooting (Mirch Masala), for a 7pm kick off, with an early 4pm start in a local pub for anyone in need of a few pre-match 'sharpeners'. After the curry, the AGM will at some stage be pencilled in, whenever we are allowed to gather again in numbers. There is also exciting talk (we are all good at that!) of getting some spring race days sorted to keep the bonhomie ticking over.

It's been a real pleasure this year and I hope to see you all soon.

All the best

Harry Jenkins


Stats:

Bowling

Alex Pike: 3 wickets, 24 runs - 8 overs.
Rich Mullett: 4 wickets, 12 runs - 4.2 overs

Batting:

Fitz 88*

[updated 02 12 2020]