Our 2nd XI conceded again and with no communication from our 1st XI skipper, I put myself in the player pool. Yesterday I did have the separate offer to play in a different league but that was away to a club with dreadful teas and even worse umpire.
Anyhow the team I finally connected with lost the toss and were invited to bat first. I went in No.7 at 60-5 and I was out for 32 on 115. That to most people might not sound an awful lot but when you've not reached double figures all season (Saturdays), believe me, it feels damn good.
Interestingly this week's hot topic (how to play very slow bowling) was very relevant as the opposition skipper served up just this type of delivery but I got all of my boundaries against him. Just waited for something in my hitting zone and made sure it hit the fence. Got out in the 43rd over, stumped when trying to force the scoreboard along but I fell to a more orthodox off spinner who clearly saw me advance so fired down a wider delivery. Bit of a calculated gamble because the opposition wicketkeeper wasn't too tidy but on this occasion was up to the task
Defending 115 (2 juniors were then out in the same over as me), the wicket demanded bowling a full length but I felt my new team-mates bowled a bit too short. As I had a decent bat, I wasn't really expecting a bowl but at 82-1, the skipper kindly gave me the ball and I picked up 3 wickets for 10 runs off 6 overs. Didn't change the course of the match but did add a little bit of late drama.
Match once again played in great spirit by both sides and best team won on the day.