This weekend I witnessed the best innings by a batsman I have ever seen in my 23 years of playing cricket. Unfortunately for us, it was an opposing batsman. In short, on a hot day, we lost the toss and Pendle Hill elected to bat on the very small Binalong Park and in front of a healthy crowd of about 100 people, we restricted Pendle Hill to 3/70 off the first 30 overs. Very tight bowling and good fielding kept them to a very slow run rate.
Unfortunately after drinks the Pendle Hill #5 batsman decided to take to us with a chanceless innings of 191 runs in just 35 overs and hit us for 20 sixes... yes 20 sixes - 120 runs - in just 30 overs. This guy was unstoppable and we tried our best, but when he hits 20 balls out of the park there isnt much you can do in the way of fielding to stop it. At the end Pendle Hill were 9/351. Massive score.
We bravely set out to chase... needing 5.5 an over from the get go and yours truly got an early yorker and I lost my leg stump on 1 and the team was 1/1. Then 2/26 and 3/42 before we consolidated to be 3/82 at the drinks break. Technically we were ahead on the comparative run rate (they were 3/70 at the same stage) but we now needed our own miracle innings.
Unfortunately it was not to be and we had a mid innings collapse to be 6/87. All over red rover really, but the tail batted strongly and we did get to 191 with the skipper Terry Hoban top scoring with 41 batting at #8 but the game was lost on the Saturday afternoon.
We then went to the club presentation night, had one or two too many beers and drowned our sorrows, but we knew we had been outclassed by a better team who had won the minor premiership in a canter. I got my batting award 371 runs at 26.50 and young Simon Agius took the bowling awards. Fielding award went to Paul "Noyz" Brewster and Crazy Dave Mandic took the Captains Award for putting in all year.
The good news is most seem keen to back up next season and we'll be seeing one or two players coming back to the team as well... so all looks in good stead for season 2008/09.
Also, I know a few of the guys read Lime Kettles as well so thanks to all of you guys for the very enjoyable season. We played good cricket and had fun as well... one of the better seasons I have ever had (not just with the bat) but also we had a real good team spirit. Didnt win the last game, but we had a good solid season!
Cheers.
1 comment:
bad luck clay, but i heard on 2GB sports talk that you had lost your top strike bowler ealry on day 1 through injury. could've made all the difference.
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