Coming out of retirement Part VIII (now with video!)
The Cavs were a player short this week so I put the hard word on VirtualGaz to fill in as #11 batsman. He staunchly refused with his body still aching from our Saturday morning practice. With his post-net session recoveries sounding like Dean Jones after scoring a double century in Madras, maybe we'll shorten our practice next week.
Our usual opener was absent this week so I was asked to open the batting. Opening partner Matt batted in the same vein as Piney - hitting the ball hard and often in the air. At one point, he cover drove a full toss to the boundary. As we met in mid-pitch, he commented "if you can't put those away, there's a problem". I remembered getting out to a similar delivery last week. Hmm, I may have a problem.
Eventually Matt was bowled, slogging across the line (opening partnership of 66). As the bowlers tired, I got a few short balls outside off and rather than adopt my usual practice of leaving anything off the poles, I went the cut shot and peeled off several boundaries. You can tell how little I play my shots based on the volume and irony of the applause from teammates when I hit a boundary (the loudest cheer was for a cover drive for four - I think my first ever). At this point, I looked up and saw Gaz leaning over the fence with a video camera trained on the action. Next ball, I nearly got out. Thanks for the distraction, Gaz!
After half an hour, the opening bowlers had stopped moving the ball and I figured this was as good a chance as I'd have of a half century. Their Indian opening bowler was now coming in off a short run and delivered one down leg that I glanced fine. Off the bat, I immediately thought 'boundary' but their wicketkeeper (also Indian) dived full length and caught it at full stretch, an inch off the ground. I couldn't believe it - most wicketkeepers at this level wouldn't have got a glove on it. I later learned he's the Queensland wicketkeeper in our division. Dismissed by two Indians - turns out these subcontinent guys can play.
Nevertheless, I try to dwell on a personal high score of 30 rather than missing out on a half century. But our long tail starting at #5 predictably collapsed and we were all out for 180 (150 coming from the top three). That night, Gaz edited together and emailed his video footage - complete with music score and fancy wipes. The only thing missing - his live commentary supplied during the game (he does a pretty good Richie Benaud for an Englishman):
Unfortunately, the day went downhill from there. I dropped a sitter at mid-on from a left hander who went on to score a hundred. The guilt was salved somewhat by the fact that he was dropped about half a dozen times on the way to a century - dropped at deep mid-wicket, second slip, wicketkeeper, gully, etc. That's what I like about the Cavs - everyone contributes.
I got a bowl with the opposition around 2 for 100 - a lot earlier than usual. My goal - keep the pies to a minimum. The first ball was on a good length and stoutly defended - good start! I got through the first over with no pies, conceding only two singles. Second over was also tight, only 3 singles. It was like being a real bowler! In between overs, the wicketkeeper mentioned the leftie was moving in and out of the crease before I bowled to throw me off my length. I don't think he realised I was happy just to land the ball on the pitch in the vicinity of a good length.
Things went pear shaped in the 3rd over. Or to be more accurate, pie shaped. A short ball was cut for four. An even worse long hop was pulled to deep mid-wicket and dropped on the boundary! The next ball was a loopy full toss, sent for six. The captain couldn't take me off quick enough (if it was within the rules, he would've stopped me mid-over). So I was left gnashing my teeth over a disastrous third over, caned by the batsman I'd dropped earlier. It can be a cruel game.
So the opposition went past our first innings total 2 wickets down. Next week, we'll be missing even more players so if anyone lives within cooee of Bray Park (Brisbane north side) and is up for a game of club cricket, feel free to contact me. Gaz can tell you the bowlers aren't that fast. And I will be encouraging Gaz to play as we'll probably be batting to save the match (a familiar exercise) - what better opportunity to come out of retirement as a #11 batsman and save the match.
| Posted by JC on Sun 2 Dec |  6 comments |
That square cut of yours looks very polished JC. Mind you, we have to accept that it IS in fact you batting out there. Affidavit or stat. dec. please!
Shame there's no footage of your leggies. Just so I know I haven't given the selectors a bum steer.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-02 23:07:10
Posted by JC on 2007-12-03 11:28:33
Yeah well DT, it's funny you say that because when I arrived at the game I couldn't see JC hanging around the Esky and couldn't pick him in the field. I got to thinking that the dude smacking fours and running like a greyhound bewtween the wickets might know where he was until I realised it was he!
I reckon the sparse footage of our hero isn't that disimilar from one S.Waugh out there... that sq cut and leg glance are classic - even the way the old head went down when the umpire's finger went up.
And despite my spending most of the week between netting with the mighty JC in traction or heavily sedated - with a cocktail of Panadol, Deep Heat and Nurofen - we’re getting some progress going on here.
Guess what? Our hero's batting average has crept up from a solid 1.3 to a healthy 15+ in only 3 weekends, while his bowling has rocketed from 0-72 to 2-16 in a two over spell! Naturally, I’m taking full credit for this quantum leap in stats and urge you to watch (and rate highly) the vid of his latest magnificent innings of 30.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-12-03 19:13:38
Excellent video editing! And I also agree with gaz on the Steve Waugh like cuts, and the head down walk also looked extremely professional!
Keep putting in the effort JC, the 50's on the way!
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-12-03 23:04:58
Next I've got to work on the spitting out the gum and hitting it with the bat, Matt Hayden style.
Posted by JC on 2007-12-03 23:08:06
I used to get most upset whenever I was dismissed, so much so that team mates used to hide the esky as I was trudging off.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-03 23:27:03
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