First league game of the season today for us. So we were at home in a new league after 3rd straight promotion last year and played a local rival who have been mid placed in this league for the last few seasons. Lost the toss and we were asked to bat. Pitch was good for time of year, with a little pace and carry (our track is generally a batting pitch with good pace and decent, consistent bounce) we got off to a good start thanks to some loose early bowling being too full and we were 35-0 from 6 overs, they then dragged it back a bit and we went to drinks at 87-2. After drinks I managed to take 16 from the 1st over after drinks but introduction of spin slowed run rate down, I was finally out in the 37th over for 75, cutting to point. We ended 209-5 from our 45.
After what can only be described as early season greed for tea, we just had so much food from sandwiches, to home baked sausage rolls, onion barges, homemade cake pretty much anything you could think of we took to the field. 1st ball if there innings our opener removed middle and off stump from the ground with an unplayable Yorker, not sure if this then set the tone but unfortunately three innings was really poor with the other opener and No3 dead batting for 22 overs to be 42-1 at drinks. We then prized out brigadier block caught behind by yours truly and with and end open our young leggie who had come on leaps and bounds in the last 3 seasons picked up 3 wickets in an over. Some more middle order blocking resulted in us finally getting the last 2 wickets in the 39th over. A good workout for our bowlers but I’ll never understand the mindset of some players and teams in this format of cricket where it’s just win or lose.
Anyway a good start to my season as also conceded 0 byes and glove work felt really good. Finally used my GM kit after thinking I was going to go GN or Surridge this season, I went with the tried and trusted and my Noir Signature was superb so thanks Rob from Six sixes for another lovely GM