Gbell – Took the opening slot following recent good form but decided to anchor himself at both ends and attempt to bat through the innings. Faced 10 overs of play for 10 runs, which prompted much bar banter from the Tendring Stucks. Impeccable with the gloves however and a constant source of wisdom for his grateful novice captain.
Mark Cox – Boldly answered the call for a second opener and was rewarded for his confidence with a great innings. My champagne moment was his electric pull down to mid wicket followed by unselfish fielding work out deep, stopping a certain boundary and returning a quick accurate throw to ensue a run out. Quite simply, Mark is an inspiration to other novice cricketers and shows what can be achieved through hard work and a good understanding attitude towards a team game.
Pits – Put up the order due to other batsmen convalescing further down and predictably failed to score a run. Did manage to bat without a box and captained fairly, perhaps too much. Managed to get lucky with the result but did try to throw the game in the last over by electing to bowl himself. Succeeded only in facilitating a stumping, sparking Monty style skips of joy and heralding a rare bowling out of the opposition in under 40 overs.
Tony – Batted in his normal style before being run out in unfortunate circumstances. Looked happier not opening and should stay in this position in the order. Covered a lot of ground in the field working well with Mark and showed a good reading of the game to adjust his position without being prompted.
Shell – Put in the middle order at his request but didn’t stay at the crease long enough to gain any sufficient benefit. Looked to be mistiming shots and suspect that the run out of Tony didn’t help to create a calm base to play off. Did all asked on the field of play. Answered the call to bowl the penultimate over with his own bamboozling style of flight and spin.
Stephen – Disappointed with the bat being bowled for a duck but then rewarded the captain’s faith in his bowling talents by going 18 balls without conceding a run. Returned figures tighter than his older brother’s wallet and gave a performance as instrumental in the result of the match as the innings of Adam and James for my money. Took 2 wickets and had fellow peers urging the captain to recall him with the result in doubt 5 overs from the end. That’s the impact he made.
Adam – Back at Sunday school, I was forced to read stories of a bearded bloke spending 40 days and nights in the wilderness and returning triumphantly, performing miracle after miracle including bringing someone back from the dead. On Saturday, I witnessed another bearded wanderer, coming back from 15 years in the cricketing wilderness to perform 57 miracles and bringing back the Rosaneri innings back to life. Fielders gasped “You can’t play a cut shot that well after 15 years of rustiness”. Adam also taunted the batsmen with his variation in length bowling down the hill, with this short spell ending with an indication of what’s to come.
Jim – Has so many shower sets that he could supply Boots for a while. Do not overlook his performance in this match though. 42 runs including a rare six. A match winning partnership with Adam. 2 catches at mid-on. 1 wicket in 3 overs bowling up the hill into the wind. A vital supporting vice captain role. Just an average match really for Mr Consistency. Biggest shock was seeing him speed past me on the way home doing 85 mph.
Nick – Stepped in for the last 2 overs to assist Jim in boosting the run total and fielded the slip area well. Didn’t have the best bowling conditions going uphill, against the wind and battling cramp in the legs, but still took 2 wickets and kept it tight at a time whilst performing a good attack partnership with Stephen. Loves to bowl as much as possible and really enjoys the game. Must be disappointed not to have picked up the large roadkill spotted on the way home for his hat trick.
Gareth – I’ve never understood the need for a satnav before this game, but Gareth has enlightened me that there are people who leave school without the learning the basics; boiling an egg, reading a map, combing the hair. Anyway, credit due to the man as he turned up at the end of the pinks innings and although told by his captain to go in next, let nick and paul go above him in a sign of excellent team spirit. After a hearty tea, he then stormed up the hill for a long 9 over spell in which he got his just reward of a wicket. Another ad hoc who gave his all and has left the selectors diving for the asprin.
Paul – Another bowler who didn’t bat but put all their efforts into knocking the stumps out the ground. Managed to claim 2 wickets over 2 spells and visibly very pleased but sportingly restrained at the dismissals. Saved countless runs at gully / third slip and a real asset for the club to have a player of this calibre and attitude to call upon when required.