Coming out of retirement Part IV
Who'd have thought club cricket is such an emotional rollercoaster. We started today's game losing the toss and fielding, dangit! I've had a dodgy knee since last week's two hour innings (too much running) and was hoping to put the feet up and watch our boys go the tonk. Instead, out into the Queensland heat and watch our bowlers get smashed. After 4 hours with the opposition on 2 for 300, I was called on to bowl. With the current partnership passing 200 and the facing batsman having notched a century, it was hardly a welcoming environment for a leg spinner, particularly an erratic newbie.
My second ball was a rank long hop. It took so long to reach the batman, the many places where he might hit it ran through my head. Apparently they also went through the batsman's head as he limply bunted it to cover who to my delight took the catch. Once again, a wicket in my first over! Despite being completely undeserved, I started to feel good about my bowling and beat the bat several times.
The honeymoon period ended second over. A full toss was despatched over mid-wicket for six. The next ball was short and pulled for four. My spell ended after two overs with figures of 1 for 17. Considering the carnage the two batsmen inflicted afterwards, I should count my blessings. The opposition declared at 3 for 400 with 40 minutes before stumps.
Aching and exhausted, I looked forward to resting my throbbing knee and watch our openers bat out to stumps. Instead, the captain asked if I wanted to open. I managed to suppress my dismay and convincely faked enthusiasm. "Just do what you do", he advised. After just two games, my role in the team seems to have emerged. Nightwatchman.
I was informed that this team's spearhead bowler was quick. In fact, he made the bowler that terrorised me last week look like a tame medium pacer in comparison. Pinie opened with me and muttered that he'd be 30 or 40 by stumps. The man doesn't know the meaning of batting to stumps. I gratefully let him take strike. And I confess, I worked hard to turn his singles into twos or call a strong "no!" to many of his quick singles.
At the other end was a medium pacer with a fair degree of outswing. His third ball to me pitched on middle, straightened, hit me in front and probably would've knocked over a stump or two. The umpire was feeling generous and turned down the appeal. Other than that first hiccup, he wasn't too hard to handle. Meanwhile, Piney was going off at the other end and reached 40 off the first 6 overs until the Brett Lee wannabe clean bowled him.
8 overs in and I managed to get through without facing a delivery from the budding Malcolm Marshall. Last over of the day, they brought on a leg spinner. First was a short ball on leg stump. I pulled it gently to midwicket for a single. The ball shot off to the boundary. Woohoo, I'm liking this new grey nichols bat! Light as a feather but with power! Next ball was short outside off stump, cut for four. Third ball was well pitched, I lunged forward, played over the top of it and was stumped. Out in the friggin last over of the day!
Since that moment, I've been replaying that delivery in my head. Why didn't I stay in my crease? Watch the ball more carefully? Get my front foot to the ball? While I'm filthy with myself for getting out, I try to look on the bright side. At least I've escaped facing Harold Larwood (unless we follow on next week which is a distinct possibility). And maybe I'll stop being used as nightwatchman which is a thankless role (at least when you don't make it to stumps).
| Posted by JC on Sun 4 Nov |  12 comments |
Probably nothing more likely to get someone out than a head of confidence. I think those two fours did you in.
Posted by TA on 2007-11-04 12:57:09
Will have to start compiling your stats so you can push for 'higher honours' ;)
Posted by Moses on 2007-11-04 14:22:59
Bowling - 1/11 last week, 1/17 this week. Career 2/28, now that's not too shabby albeit early days. I'm gonna have to switch from a batsman who can bowl a little to a bowler who can bat a little. Now I just have to bowl longer than 2 over spells (I've been practising my leggies in the backyard to try and get some consistency).
Posted by JC on 2007-11-04 15:55:25
Also in which position do you usually field? You must have been pretty tidy because theres been no mention of your fielding for sometime...
Also guys,its HIGH TIME WE GAVE JC A BETTER NICKNAME!!!
so lets begin...
1)The Wall (this might be borrowed,sorry Rahul!,but JC blocks it better)
2)or the Rock maybe...
But I wouldnt like to harp on your defence...
Lets give a nickname that would make you more attacking!
Any suggestions?
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-11-04 19:56:24
Anyhoo, I've decided today my goal for the season is to get a batting average greater than my bowling average. At the moment, it's batting 12.33 versus bowling 14 so I'm in the red. I don't know if it's a practical goal or not - are there any cricketers who actually do have a better batting average than bowling apart from legends like Botham or Gary Sobers? Still, interesting to give it a try.
Posted by JC on 2007-11-04 21:16:23
Cheers,
Stuart
http://historyofcricket.blogspot.com
Posted by Stuart on 2007-11-04 21:55:30
Batting: 42 > Bowling 16 (!)
Waugh, Steve
Batting: 51 > Bowling: 37
Symonds, Andrew
Batting: 27 < Bowling: 44
Posted by Moses on 2007-11-04 22:04:41
Posted by JC on 2007-11-04 22:50:57
Ponting 59/46
Taylor, Mark 43/26
Border 50/39
and a few others:
Lehmann 45/27
Bevan 29/24
Posted by Moses on 2007-11-04 23:09:43
54>50
Sourav Ganguly
41<53
Greame Smith
47<100 (!)
John Cook (post second retirement)
99.98>10.05
{even HE couldn't get the better of the game,forget Don Bradman!}
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-11-04 23:36:47
Post New Comment
You need to be logged in to post a comment. If you're new, register here. Existing users, login via the right margin.
