Saturday 3s vs Teddington Town
Author: Gerald Duckworth
Match Report |
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Our league fixture against Teddington Town 3rd XI began in bizarre fashion. With a warm-up. After our bowlers had slowly trudged across Barn Elms to the astro pitch (many after the 12.15 meet time), they lined up to send down their most fearsome deliveries to Tim at the crease, and myself behind the stumps. And besides Billy mooning me during the practice, it was an excellent indication of what was to come. As usual, I lost the toss and Teddington Town elected to bowl. Tim, who had looked good in practice, opened the batting alongside The Terminator. Unfortunately, Tim had used up his shots during the warm-up. He was castled after just three deliveries. He returned to the boundary to let us know that his girlfriend was coming down to watch, and upon learning that he was out early for nothing, sent him a one-word text in reply: “Quack”. Brutal. Girish departed soon after Tim, dismissed by an excellent diving catch at first slip, which left Billy and Felix at the crease. A few words about Billy. He has been a great addition to the team this year. But if I am being honest, I have only really selected him because he is funny and nice to have around on the boundary. But on Saturday, he fully justified his selection with the bat. He smited the opposition’s bowling line-up for 92. Admittedly, he looked scratchy getting to 50. He bludgeoned 25 runs off half the number of balls then seemed to get bogged down, largely in his own head. He was dropped on 48 but once he converted, he really kicked on and was unlucky not to score a century. He took a particular liking to one bowler he dubbed “Big Sexy”. Your classic pie chucker, Big Sexy’s guile (or was it his jawline?) did a number of us over. But not Billy. He played him well – avoiding the tempters and swotting the bad balls for runs with relative ease. He was joined by Felix for a large part of his innings. Felix played an excellent supporting role but stole the limelight a couple of times when he launched two flat sixes over cow corner in quick succession. Our middle order failed to impress, but a ninth wicket cameo from Ajay (ending the day on 23*) and Savan delighted us and frustrated the opposition’s opening quick in equal measure. We ended our innings on 201-8 – the first time the 3rd XI has passed the 200 runs mark this season. COVID-19 tea report: this week was the usual sandwich and crisps combo. Brie and bacon, with a chill relish and a large packet of Hula Hoops. But perhaps the highlight was the impulse purchase of a packet sweet potato falafels, which did an excellent job of comforting me after I gloved one down the leg side for a measly 13. Callum and Charlie opened the bowling for us. They both bowled well, and each took a wicket. But it was our change bowlers who did the real damage. Felix really caught the eye. After telling me he would only bowl off spin during the week, I was both surprised and delighted to see him come off a short run up to bowl pace. It was too good for Teddington Town. Throwing in the odd short ball (to date, the only short balls ever bowled on purpose by a 3rd XI player), Felix bamboozled the opposition. He took three wickets. The highlight was his dismissal of their opener. He set him up with a short ball, then a fuller one, before a second short ball left him in two minds, and the ball was sent looping upwards towards The Terminator at gully to snaffle a good catch. Siddharth was equally effective. Hitting a consistent line outside off stump, he took two well-deserved wickets. He bowled their captain clean before drawing a nick behind to my gloves the very next ball. With Charlie returning to clean up the tail, we registered our third league win of the season. MotM: Billy – for his excellent 92 and finally justifying his selection. DotD: Callum – for telling Billy that his girlfriend was going to be “ploughed” by a mutual friend of theirs at a dinner that evening. TfC: Tim – for his third ball duck. Champagne Moment: Felix – for successfully bowling a wicket-taking bouncer in the 3rd XI. |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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29/08/2020 | 1pm | Saturday 3rd | Teddington Town | A | 201/8 | 140/10 | W | 0 |