An overcast day greeted the
Waltham cricketers as they arrived for the last league
match of the season against Stratfield. Despite some
bright performances in the field and some determined
battling with the willow, the match, much like Waltham's
season, ended in disappointment.
Having once again proved to be a great tosser, Captain
Hill inserted the visitors on a pitch that looked like
it would take seam and swing. The new ball was taken
by the evergreen Rashid “Ralpindi Express” Arif and
the soon to be married Paul “I wear the pants!” Gearing.
In his first over, Arif slipped in his delivery stride
and damaged his ankle but managed to find the courage
to complete a fine 15 over spell that did not reap the
results it merited (2-45). At the other end, Gearing
swung it like a youthful Frank Sinatra and found seam
and cracks in the pitch like a vintage geologist.
Much of the report to this point will be lost on Ziggy
“Tom Tom” Kiani who arrived fashionable late complete
with cigarette in one hand and a lamentable barnet atop
his shoulders. However, in a magnanimous display of
team spirit, Kiani tore up his lucrative contract with
Teflon and proceeded to field like a man who could actually
catch and throw.
The initial breakthrough was slow in arriving although
not for lack of effort in the field by a Waltham team
determined to build on a positive second half of a rain
interrupted season. Gearing (3-35) once again troubled
the batsmen leaving Bridgeman to take a simple catch
in the covers.
Some astute field settings yielded sharp chances to
Ashton and Gearing who made them look deceptively comfortable.
In fact, all over the field the Waltham players were
throwing themselves around like pigs in muck. Time and
time again batsmen struck lusty blows that seemed certain
to find the gap only for fielders to throw themselves
in the way of danger. None more so than Dan “Noddle”
Owen, Bridgeman and Aldred.
Stratfield looked set for a significant score as the
game edged towards the end of the first quarter with
90 runs on the board and 8 wickets left in hand. However,
Waltham kept working in the field and the new ball bowlers
kept toiling away with the aging leather to leave the
game evenly poised.
A double bowling change was ordered and this bought
Gareth “Fastball” Johnson and Naveed “Huggie Bear” Raja
into the attack. Johnson was at his miserly best as
he proceeded to rip three wickets out for 18 runs from
his 8 overs. Naveed added another for 26 runs from his
7 overs.
Hill was very pleased to restrict Stratfield to under
150 on a pitch that rewarded an honest line and length
from bowlers and application from batsmen. Stratfield
finishing with a challenging 146 for 9 from their 45
overs.
Raja and Gearing perished in the chase for quick runs
with the “Rudder,” Paul Ashton undone by a ball that
jagged viciously off the seam for a determined 14. Cometh
the hour and cometh Gareth Johnson.
Johnson is well celebrated for displays of stubbornness
in the face of overwhelming odds and today was no different.
After a brief tea time coaching session from Mum and
Dad he quickly found himself at the crease facing a
hostile Stratfield bowling attack.
Speaking after the match he confessed “it’s at times
like that I always ask myself what Matt Nebbett would
do?” That said, he obviously ignored the thought because
he battled on magnificently as wickets tumbled around
him to record the highest score of the match with a
fine 47 not out.
Highlights of the Waltham reply were a solid 11 from
Ady “Honestly, I dye my hair Grey” Bridgeman, a determined
stay at the crease from youngster Oli “Hair is a fashion
statement…and I’m a mess!” Brown and the flowing strokeplay
from Gary “007 Stuntdouble” Aldridge.
Now it would be very easy to fall into the trap of finger
pointing at the match officials and a number of highly
questionable decisions that resulted from a Spec Saver
bambozzling re-interpretation of the Leg Before Wicket
law – that ironically coincided with the change of innings.
But the bottom line is if you don’t want to be sprung
for a dubious LBW…hit the ball!
A disappointing end to the season was completed with
Arif unable to bat, Waltham slumped to 112 all out.
The opposition must be congratulated for a fine match
played in great spirit that was maintained throughout
and they were well worth their win.
There are many positives to build on with next season
on mind. A number of new youthful faces have emerged
and will look to push for regular selection within the
1’s squad. The effort and application in the field has
also been greatly improved and this needs to be built
on further to maximize the old adage of “catches win
matches.”
Hopefully the 2008 season will see greater consistency
of selection possible with the club struggling for numbers
and regular faces throughout the season but the redevelopment
of the playing strip will certainly lend itself to Waltham
returning to the flowing graceful cricket that we are
renowned for.
On a personal note, I pray for an umpire that understands
the LBW rule having been sprung 3 times this season…any
interested candidate will be gratefully accepted and
rewarded with copious amounts of postmatch alcohol –
no Nebbett you may not apply! |
