QM Old Boys X1: match report from 24/06/21
Match report by Alex Dallaway
It has been a while since I last wrote a match report. Suffice to say some things never change, however, seldom do I have the opportunity to report on three truly unique cricketing events in a single match no less.
Rather than the drizzly affair we expected, Bronze CC greeted us with a pleasant summer evening and an even better wicket. The all important toss went our way and el capitán elected to bat. Clad with batting armour, Rob and Phil strode out into the middle. The first of the three unique events was about to happen. A gentle prod from Rob to a deep slip fielder led to a state of confusion. Rob and Phil exchanged non-verbal signals, both stuttering like a Ford Escort starting up on a cold winter’s morning. Phil raced to the danger end only to be dismissed first ball of the match without facing a delivery. This I believe is known as a titanium duck. A species rarely seen gracing the field of play. Despite the early setback, captain Hall steadied the ship and hit a glittering 25. Supported by excellent knocks from Sanesh, Glenn and Luke, we posted a healthy total of 147 for 7 in our allotted 20 overs. Before I move to the next innings. The second of these extraordinary events occurred whilst we held the bat. Glenn clipped a ball through mid-wicket and set off immediately for his first run. Seeing that the ball wouldn’t reach the rope, Luke called Glenn for a second and third. The ball rolling slowly up the hill started to resemble Glenn’s running between the wickets as he trundled through for a fourth run. Much like the ball coming to a halt, Glenn scampered through for a 5th run before collapsing supine. Not every match you see a genuine 5 runs. Whilst I could lament about our innings, I shall press on…something Sanesh finally did after nearly securing an Old Boy’s record. In truth I’m jealous; Sanesh hit a lovely 25 whilst I put my back out swinging my bat as if I were performing a hammer throw.
On to the field…
We were told to expect fireworks from the Bronze batting line up, and our intel was right. Two of our bowlers we don’t expect to see go the distance were both on the receiving end of some brutal hitting. Undeterred, we found our line and length and started to peg back the run rate. Whilst the wickets were equally shared amongst the bowlers, the standout figures belonged to Satpal. 1 wicket for 6 runs off 3 overs. Just what we needed to stifle the oppo. Now, a casual onlooker may wonder about the fielding credentials of the Old Boys team. However, Roger certainly stood tall (or rather swooped low) in response to any questioning. A flashing blade sent the ball deep out to long on. Rather than the usual grazing batsmen would expect from a field sent out to pasture, they were unwittingly in Roger’s crosshairs. Like Usain Bolt, Roger swooped down attacking the ball. Keeping low, almost horizontally, he let loose with a Caribbean flair that sent the ball swerving through the humid evening air. Defying the laws of physics, the ball curved in from 50 yards striking the stumps down with the batsmen not even in the TMO’s frame. This was the third and final extraordinary event of the evening. Not often do we witness such fine fielding in an Old Boy’s match. Roger also created another run out opportunity from long on, which ultimately secured him the MOTM. He shall be donning the bright pink cap in our next outing for his standout performances this season. In the end we restricted a very capable young team to 120 all out. Our first victory of the season marked by an excellent team performance. One may say a New Zealand-esque performance.
On to next week now. With chests puffed out, we march onto home turf where we will meet the young pretenders…the 1st XI. Rest up lads, it’s the QM Le Crunch.