Anyone seen the Skipper?
A scorching day for the penultimate game before the Festival. Privately hoping the weather is a little cooler than this when the time comes. Today will be a good test of stamina, concentration and preparation for such conditions, especially for the management . Coach Allen spends his time memorising the instructions on the sunscreen bottle. Arrive early at Barnstaple & Pilton to see the indefatigable Steve Moore hard at work on pitch preparation. The ground looks a picture, and the pavilion splendid with its sympathetic planting breaking up, what was when it was first opened, a fairly austere looking ground. It is now a proper cricket ground. The wicket, it is agreed by all has plenty of runs in it. Cricket was made for days like these.
Cap'n Jack is sent out to toss with strict instructions from his colleagues not to return unless we are batting first. Mission accomplished. We certainly do not want to field in the hottest part of the day. It is clear the umpires are expecting a hot and long day, and we do not aim to disappoint them. Unbelievably, after 8 overs we are 16-5, with 5 of our top order back in the hutch. Three ducks and two 2's their total contribution. They should be kicking themselves, but will probably miss. have we been undone by outstanding bowling? Not really. We have identified another type of bowler we seem to have no idea how to play - the left arm swing bowler. An LBW and Clean Bowled in the first over. Not helped by the Lone Gloucestershire Manager's comment "That's the first two he's bowled straight all season". Regulation medium pace at the other then becomes unplayable, and wickets three, four and five fall by over eight.
Tom Simmons and Sam Read do a good job of steadying the ship and get us to 51-5 at the first drinks break, after 15 overs. The talk at drinks is of these two batting through to 30 overs and then re-assessing where we are. All agree the pitch is benign and the outfield fast. Runs will take care of themselves. One ball later we are 51-6 as Tom Simmons is deceived by the left arm spinners arm ball. He has scored a valuable 21.
Enter our saviour from the previous game to a similar scenario, Ollie Hannam.He and Sam Read put on a stand of 35 and get us to the next drinks break. Although we accept it is hot, the running between the wickets is poor, and it is agreed to sharpen it up. The inevitable happens as Sam Read is dropped off a no ball, and then run out by the fielder recovering the spilled chance. It was a direct hit , so no real blame for taking the single, except................. he was a rather long way out, and would have been run out if the catch had gone to the bowler over the stumps. Another score in the twenties for Sam (29).
Time to start again. We lose another wicket quickly, and just as the Ollie's (Pugsley & Hannam) look as though they are in charge, Ollie Hannam contrives to run himself out for 29. Luckily we have last weeks opener, Max Hancock to come. Never lacking in confidence he proceeds to bat with Ollie P for four overs taking the score to 129. Both look assured, and bat in a manner which belies their scorecard number. Ollie is eventually bowled for 12 leaving Max 18 not out. The final total of 129 is conservatively estimated by most to be at least 75 short of a par total.
Cap'n Jack Bowling On His Home Turf.The discussion at tea is all around who to open the bowling with. Jack has an ingrowing toe nail and proudly shows this to anyone wanting to have their tea interrupted. He proclaims he will not be bowling today. The decision is James White, who has been fortunate not to have batted today, and Max Hancock. The reasoning being to see if spin or pace is the best option. Bowlers are likely to have short spells if nothing is happening for them. We give the opposition 10 runs as we bowl a long hop, no balls and wides in the first two overs. We are nothing, if not generous hosts. James White follows his no balls with the cunning straight one to castle the opener.
The captain quickly changes the bowlers, and the introduction of Luke Medlock brings immediate rewards as he takes three wickets in his first three overs, all LBW , with his inswing. It looks as though Gloucestershire have the same problem with swing bowling. The cheery umpire looks as though he will be in time for his Parish Council meeting at 8pm.
At 30-4 the game is the balance, and the first drinks break comes at the wrong time for Devon. Although Ollie Pugsley picks up one wicket, a stand of 40 shifts the balance again. The captain has, during two drinks breaks, confirmed he is not going to bowl, but then decides he might try just one over. He proceeds to persuade their top scorer to nick to the keeper, much to the delight of the home crowd. Their is now an inevitability about the result and Tom Simmons and Sam Read wrap up the tail with the captain.
The unbeaten run goes on, but in truth it will not last if we cannot post better scores than we have recently. Gloucestershire are in our group at the Festival, and they will not take their openers off again if we are 16-5. Left arm inswing over the wicket to right handers, perhaps a plan to open our stance a little to get our pad out of the way, and also stop falling over? A bit like the plan to the right arm round the wicket off spinner?
Barnstaple & Pilton were marvellous hosts, the weather was stupendous, and the wicket much better than the scores suggest. We shall return (if we are invited).
Coach Allen fascinated by the sunscreen bottle.