We were greeted by a parched outfield at the Walker Ground on a resplendent Saturday afternoon, in what was this correspondent’s first match in over three years for Southgate.
After some introductions it became clear I’d been parachuted in to provide some latitudinal balance to side a side that contained an unprecedented 3 (three!) Australians in it.
Skipper Sam won the toss and we elected to bat on what looked like it could be a serious day for chasing leather.
After a probing start with the new ball, we quickly found ourselves one down, bringing run machine Colly to the crease with Amila. They set about their work with Colly accumulating and Amila becoming increasingly expansive as they built their partnership to over 100. Particular highlights included Amila’s flick for six over mid-wicket and his decision to have a cigarette at the first of the two drinks breaks.
Just as he was looking to push the rate on Amila fell LBW for 71 prompting somewhat of a mini collapse as we stumbled from 121-1 to 140-4.
This brought Ollie in (who has unfortunately traded physique with me since we last played), and we set about rebuilding with a 50 partnership, aided by some increasingly ridiculous field settings.
Once Ollie and I departed there was some spirited biffing and running between the wickets from Andy as wickets fell with him finishing 33*. New man Ben Slack opened his bomb account at the Walker with a fine straight hit to take us to a respectable 261-9 from our 45.
Both tea and the tea room were much improved since my last game and we went into the field confident we could defend.
We began tightly, aided by one of their openers engaging in some Boycott-esque limpeting. Slack tore in the down the hill with great pace and Sam did the hard yards from the other end.
Sam’s bowling style is another great development since my last game leading to some in the cordon branding him “Temu Woffers”.
The tight opening spells had them behind the rate and never quite able to catch back up. A superb one handed catch from Colly at cover got the first breakthrough from Srikanth's bowling while Andy wheeled away at the other end with offbreaks working his way to a hard earned 3fer.
Alan Babwah picked up a couple of wickets in his 5th bowler role before Slack came on to mop up the last 2 and get us the early shower and beer we craved.
Ultimately it was a bit of a hammering as we won by 84 runs with Extras their top scorer.
Until next time,
Ali Lynch