by The Bedge » Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:30 am
Late Friday evening, and a couple of late outs across the board, had our sides looking depleted. Our D grade staring down the barrel of another potential forfeit - terrible because those in the D team are the most committed.
Given I was out in the A grade, decided to head down and captain/score/umpire/organise the D team and at least provide an additional fielder. In the end, managed to grab two of our girls to play and when a dad rocked up from work early we had a full side.
A quick chat and mutual agreement saw Athelstone bat first on the small and quick East Torrens primary. We opened the bowling with young Kartik Sharma, and Poonam Channa, bowling to the experience of Joe Cusenza and Jason Fergusson-Stewart - the later enjoying a stellar season (now) averaging 41 and over 400 runs.
We bowled well early, and when JFS tried to bomb Channa in the 3rd over it looked like we had struck gold, as the ball ballooned off the toe of the bat to mid off.. but was promptly dropped by yours truly. I had dropped the leading run scorer, I had cost a 14yo girl her first men's wicket... and i'd embarrassed myself haha.
Not to be put off we pressed on, JFS raced to 30 before Jemma Slaap took a great catch at square leg and with the other opener Cusenza in the shed the side began to slow the run rate down. Captain Greenhalgh joined Close of the John variety and the two slowly and steadily build a match defining partnership - Greenhalgh on the way to an innings high 36, whilst Close contributed 29... both out caught looking to accelerate the scoring. Close unluckily bowled around his legs by young Kunwar Pal.
Callum Moss, Jason Kelsey and Michael Edwards played with great freedom late to push the team total up to an imposing 196.
The score seemed below par on that ground, and with a stronger batting lineup potentially getable. I had hoped our team would bat the 40 overs and acquit themselves well, perhaps set a target to score 120-140.. and if we went well enough, perhaps a win on the cards.
Unfortunately the wily experience of opener Ron Close had other ideas, as he first starved our players of runs, and then dismantled our top order.. 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. 4 wickets down in quick succession had our side reeling. Close finishing with 4/35 off 8 had crushed our hopes early.
Young Karamvir produced a great rearguard fight back, with a swashbuckling 40 - but where Close had left off, the young Tom Cartwright picked up - bowling with great speed and accuracy he turned the screws finishing with 1/13 off 6 overs (May have deserved a second with a close LBW turned down), but arguably his best impact was at fine leg, when Karamvir closing in on his first ever 50 skied a top edge.. Greenhalgh first calling Cartwright in, then out, then in again before the kid held true.
JFS continued his good game and cleaned up the remainder, and the Enfield side was all out for 96 in the 28th over.
From a personal point of view, was nice to enjoy a much slower and less intense game of cricket, and played in a completely different level of competitiveness than usual. Game was played in good spirits, the Athelstone folks were incredibly supportive and respectful to our young players and girls and overall was a thoroughly enjoyable match off cricket.
Not sure LO5 is for me long term, but I am glad I got to spend the afternoon down there with a great group of players (from both sides), and young players who are just happy to be playing cricket, not chasing personal glory - or even wins - just spending a Saturday afternoon with mates having a laugh and a game of cricket.
Dolphin Treasure wrote:Your an attention seeking embarsement..