Wrotham Vs Bromley 3rd XI
Saturday 27th may 2006
Wrotham were very unlucky not to win this close encounter, losing with just an over and a bit to go and fielding just 10 players.
On an overcast and damp day, the conditions were always going to play a factor. Bromley 3rds won the toss and elected to bowl first. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know that with all the week’s rain, the pitch would be nice and juicy for any pace of bowler.
Wrotham openers Evans and Cook strode out to do battle and were more than equal to anything the talented Bromley opening bowlers could throw at them. Going was difficult but there were no real scares within the first 8 or so overs. Whilst attempting a drive, Cook twisted his right knee and was forced to hobble around more or less on one leg. The injury is an old occurrence of a freak base jumping accident in which Cook’s parachute didn’t open and he somehow managed to survive the 15ft drop from his first floor bathroom window.
Cook decided to retire hurt and rest his knee rather than waste his wicket. This brought the well inform Jim ‘ Jimmy ‘ Alexander to the crease. Going was still tough for Evans and Alexander but both looked comfortable and were looking to open up their shoulders. As soon as it looked as if these two would strive forward the innings, disaster struck. Alexander was bowled whilst trying to clip one to mid wicket. Alexander was disappointed with himself and spent at least a good hour or so shaking his head in disgust with himself saying,” Rupert, you idiot, I said last week not to play that shot. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. “
This brought Stacy Buss to the wicket. The ex Captain was quick to find his feet and started playing some fine shots to support Evans and help build a solid foundation for Wrotham. Around this time the rain began to fall lightly and the pitch was starting to aid the bowlers even further. It was this extra advantage that helped Bromley gain the wickets of first Evans, and then Butler of the Wayne kind also looked comfortable and was unfortunate with his dismissal. This brought Cook back to the crease after some rest and some vitamins. Cook went out to unsettle the consistent spinners. It kind of worked although almost immediately the rain became harder and the players trudged off for shelter.
After the break and tea, Buss and Cook continued to push the score up. Conditions at the wicket were very difficult and it wasn’t pretty out there. Buss’ excellent reverse sweep drew gasps from the 5 strong crowd. Cook was run out by Buss deliberately. Knowing he had a dodgy knee, Buss called a second run that was never there. Enter Davey ‘Woody Wood Woody Woody’ Wood to the crease. Woody didn’t last long and was caught out after skying one from the edge of his woody bat made from wood from a woody oak tree in a large wood in Forest Wood, near Petts Wood. Woody was ‘barking’ mad! He was told to ‘leaf’ it out.
Enter into the fray the entertaining Jason Butler and Stevo Burton. These two certainly lit up a gloomy day and shots were frequent and it helped unsettle the Bromley bowlers. Basher Burton helping himself to 3 magnificent shots to the boundary.
After the fall of Burton and Butler of the Jason kind, stalwart Neil Harvey and rookie Sam Davies frustrated Bromley who were looking to gain extra overs by bowling out Wrotham before the 46 mark. Buss made a brilliant 50 to give Wrotham a respectable total.
So, Bromley were chasing 145 for victory and the rain had stopped and the pitch began to dry, apart from the sogging outfield. Wrotham’s bowlers had to keep it at around 3 an over if possible with a slippery ball. Harvey and Butler of the Jason kind began our defence. Both were doing well but the conditions didn’t help Butler of the Jason kind. Skipper Evans then brought himself on and this gave the Bromley openers cause for concern. Wickets started to fall through some brilliant and hard working bowling by Evans, Harvey and Buss. The fielding within the side was also a highlight. There was the odd lack in concentration but overall, considering the wet conditions, Wrotham were excellent in the field and kept Bromley at the 3 an over mark more or less all innings. Stevo Burton came on to bowl and was causing problems for Bromley. Wrotham were unlucky on many occasion not to take wickets.
A bit of tail wag from Bromley looked to have taken the game away from Wrotham. An excellent one hand stumping from wicketkeeper Cook gave Wrotham some hope and then Buss came up trumps more than once with 2 wickets from full tosses and 1 from a long hop. The wicket from the long hop brought the moment of the day. A top edge saw the ball loop over the keepers head towards young Sam fielding at short fine leg. The ball went quite high in the air, with Sam steadying himself and looking up at the heavens, he caught the ball waist height to give Wrotham a chance of victory. The shear look of amazement on his face at the realisation of his catch was priceless. He was immediately mobbed by his team mates and the biggest, broadest smile you are ever likely to see on a cricket field, lit up the place with the light fading. You could have said Wrotham had 9 plus young Sam, but the rookie didn’t put a foot wrong all game.
Unfortunately Bromley held out and gained the victory with an over or so left. A brave effort by Wrotham and although a defeat, it was seen as one of our better performances in the field. Pick of the bowlers was Neil Harvey who went for just 19 off his allotted 12 overs, gaining 2 wickets. Excellent stuff. Everybody contributed in some way and can take great pride in their performance.
I watched Atthers, Gower and Beefy this morning discussing Kevin Pietersen's magnificent "reverse sweep" six yesterday in the second day of the test against Sri Lanka.
Interview with new boy Simon
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