Pretenders vs Lionel Lengths, Dulwich, 16/5/10.

By The Doc

With the ash cloud still hovering over Europe, it was lucky that some of the key members of the team managed to make it to Dulwich.
Super D sent an email out earlier in the week requesting a net before the game, and then was the last to arrive. Although he hadn't picked
up a bat or ball since last September, he was still superb. Makes us mere mortals sick with envy !

On inspecting the pitch, Luke said 'stick 'em in, bowl 'em out, then we can go and watch the 20/20 final'. I won the toss, put them in, but after 7 overs they were 50 odd for 1, and I was a little worried ! Bingo lived up to his name. Obviously looking for a full house, he sprayed the ball a bit, but when he got control over the swinging ball, he took the crucial wicket of the opposition captain, and ended up with 3 for 52 off his 8 overs. He bowled well in tandem with Mike Olphert who was unlucky to have a catch dropped in the slips. Mike ended up with 1 for 17 off his 6 overs

After gaining a bit of control in the field, we sadly lost star fielder Horry Money. Horry dived in slow motion to stop a ball at mid-wicket, and when he got up, his little finger was at right angles to the rest of his hand. As the only doctor on the pitch, I put my head in my hands and ran away saying I was going to be sick !! Horry was driven to the hospital, and made it back, and luckily it wasn't broken just dislocated. He was last seen drinking painkillers - Carlsberg to be precise.

50 for 1 turned into 106 all out after fantastic spells of bowling by JC (8 overs, 4 maidens 1 for 9), and Super D ( 8 overs, 3 maidens, 3 for 13 ). It was a great display, and special mention must go to Ed Cummins who took a crucial catch at mid-on.

I have to mention the tea ! Michelle decided that she was going to bake biscuits, and make the sandwiches. All the baking was superb - Anzac biscuits, chocolate brownies, and banana cake - amazing !! I'm sure we'll not have another tea as good for a long long time, and I didn't even miss my wagon-wheels !

After tea, Miguel & Ed strode out to knock off the runs. Their opening bowler was a bit useful but the lads stuck to the task. However, Ed tried a risky single, and there was a bit of mayhem at the bowlers end as Miguel shouted no, went back, and watched as Bingo - our umpire was cleaned up by one of their fielders. Ed was stranded in mid-pitch, and run out by a long way. In strode Luke. and I was lucky to be umpiring as he and Miguel smashed the ball to all parts. A hook That Miguel played off the fast bowler will live in the memory for a long time, as will a straight drive that pinged off Luke's bat.

We got the runs in the 15th over. Just as well, as it then started raining !

It's always nice to start the home season with a win, so roll on next week...

One note I have to add. Last year, Luke brought a bottle of Champagne to the ground as he was convinced that the Aussies were going to beat England in The Ashes test in Cardiff. Luckily for us, it didn't get opened. However, he brought another one to hopefully toast Australia beating England in th 20/20 final, and guess what...!! Luke, just make sure you keep a few bottles in your car over the winter during the Ashes down under !!