Match Report. By Mark Dowell.
Just 5 of us - but 5 is all we need - no recruiting of arbitrary players - 5 champion players who know each others strengths and weaknesses is better than 5 plus who knows? Rock wins the toss and we are batting and sends Hill and Dowell in. Off to a steady start although Dowell tries to force one and is caught. The 2nd and third overs are wicketless and the runs accumulate and the score is a tidy 23. But the last over sees Dowell have a complete brain fade as he receives three identical balls - short of a length and temptingly hittable but not - and after being caught off the first one gets run out off the next two he faces. Hill had played cautiously only to watch his cousin throw it away. They finish with only 17 and Dowell chucks a hissy fit the likes of which he hasn't done for a year or two with major explitives. Hill tries to calm him but Dowell is right - four outs - all completely avoidable is unacceptable. (Its all a bit weird reporting about myself in third person but it keeps in context - I think) Anyway Dowell is left to sulk which he does for a couple of overs.
In go Rock and Latchford and they get off to a reasonable start but some tight bowling and three wickets in the last over see them add just another 18 and the total is 35. Vlastuin to bat with whoever they pick and they pick Latchford to have another crack. Third ball of the first over and Vlastuin gets something he likes and dispatches it tidily for 7 - handy. An out off the last ball of this over is a little disappointing but that was to be the last wicket for the innings. The next three overs sees this pair grafting runs and rotating the strike sensibly and with no further outs add a very tidy 39 - Vlastuin 25 - bringing the score up to 74 which is competitive.
Dowell has the first over and Hill debates whether to have 2 back or 2 up the front. 2 up the front to start and we will see how we go. First ball out - great take by Rock behind the stumps to a faint nick. Next ball is rifled towards the back net but Dowell plucks it one handed on his follow through - fourth ball gets through and Rock effects the stumping - 'imperious' as Paul Sheahan would oft say. Its a good start as they are just -3. Latchford next and one does get through to the back net but another goes straight into Dowell's hands who is covering the back. Hill bowls himself and they are not handling him well - producing a third ball situation. Don't get the wicket but after this over they have only 13 on the board. Hill decides to give Dowell another go - the intent to restrict them. No wickets and 8 runs is not ideal and they finish on 21.
Rock to bowl first to the next pair and delivering a tempter the batsman has a crack but manages to hit it straight back to Rock who says 'thank you very much' and that is out. This is followed by a dot ball and another catch is taken - I think by Dowell. The over finishes with them only making -1. Next Vlastuin and the runs are coming slowly and then one gets through and Rock effects another stumping. This is followed by an attempted hit to the back but Dowell (channeling Perry) fields cleanly and effects the run out. This over sees the score slip back to 18 and we can sniff a victory. Next Latchford and some leg sides and a couple of two's then through he gets to Rock and another stumping taken. Hill decides to bowl himself a couple more wickets would be just the ticket. First ball is hit to Dowell who can't miss the stumps - out. A four is scored off the third ball but then a dolly catch to Vlastuin is very helpful and then the final ball gets through to Rock and yet another stumping and this pair have added 0. But beware batsmen batting with freedom even if they have to score 54 for victory.
Vlastuin first and the second ball is hit to Dowell down back and he effects the run out again. Next ball is a dolly catch to Latchford up front and the feeling is we are home. Rock next and a few runs are scored and then they need to pick two bowlers and its Latchford and Rock. A 7 is scored but another run out is effected by Dowell and they have 31 to get off the final Rock over. A first ball seven indicates their intent but Rock cramps them for room and they can only score twos and the victory is secured. A wonderful team effort again with everyone making a critical contribution. Vlastuin (MVP with 25 and 4/-1) and Latchford for posting a score, Hills bowling as always and captaincy, Rocks brilliance behind the stumps and canny bowling under pressure and Dowell after making a mess of the batting redeemed himself with solid bowling and a Perry like performance covering the back net. Love that sort of a game - Go Cutters!
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