Printer-friendly page
Record breakers Phil Rogers, left, and Gary Burrell celebrate their 119 run stand, the best-ever for a fourth-wicket partnership
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
London Saints vs Sunderland 35 over match
London Saints 165-9 (Phil 72, Gary Burrell 19, extras 38)
Sunderland 125 all out (Arran 31-3, Phil 7-3 extras 16)
London Saints won by 40 runs
The result may look like a comfortable victory for the Saints, the reality was an excellent victory between 2 very well balanced sides. The Saints innings of 165, though a remarkable comeback from 13-3 after 4.3 overs, was still probably 20 runs short of pre-innings expectations on a good wicket, with a lightning fast outfield, a short boundary on one side, and an opposition having to field in extreme heat. On at least three occasions during their innings Sunderland appeared set for victory, but wickets fell at the just the right time, and in the end the main difference between the sides was the extras conceded along with the associated additional deliveries.
As a quick look at the scorecard will tell you, Phil Rogers made a massive difference in his guest appearance from Scotland. His knock was both savage on anything lose, and sensible against good deliveries. Not only was his knock of 72 vital to the team, but it also ensured no repeat of the tantrums witnessed in Sri Lanka - though he did go into a little strop when DT informed him Big Dave was coming to umpire. Phil also bowled very well - perhaps not as fast as when he bowled regularly for us 10 years ago, but far more accurate with well controlled swing.
Though scoring at a slower rate, Gary Burrell's contribution to the record breaking 4th wicket stand of 119 was invaluable. I for one must admit my doubts when the skipper came back from Sri Lanka proposing Gary as a number 5 batsman , in the past even I have joined the end of a lengthy queue wishing to bowl at him in pre-season nets, but yet again the skipper was correct. Though Phil dominated the scoring during their partnership, Gary played a perfect supporting role - good balls were either left or kept out, and an opportunity to score runs was rarely missed. In addition to his batting, Gary was probably worth another 10 runs for his running between the wickets.
But I am getting ahead of myself, there was plenty to discuss before even a ball was delivered. The star of the show was Little Jon, who DT called 15 minutes before the start just to ensure that he was close to the ground - being a skipper of great discretion, DT would not dream of divulging the whole conversation (though it may be serialised in one of the scandal mags next Sunday), but from what the team could overhear it was clear that John had totally forgotten he was playing and was on the M25 heading home after Speedtwin's wedding celebrations of the night before.
Perhaps understandable, everyone makes an error, perhaps John had not opened his e-mails that week - but surprisingly John had spent the previous day with the Skipper at the afore mentioned celebrations, and the Skipper had expressly told him to leave Southampton by 10.30am to get to the game on time. Perhaps John assumed that as part of his captaincy responsibilities DT gives travel advice to all of his team every week. To cap it all off, Little John has lost his top, and therefore had borrowed his dad's top with "Where's Jon" on the back - highly appropriate. John was not the only player with travel problems, Arran was also late because he got on a fast rather than slow train, and thus had to travel back from St Albans.
The heat also appeared to be getting to the skipper, as for once he miraculously won the toss on a baking hot day
The heat also appeared to be getting to the skipper, as for once he miraculously won the toss on a baking hot day so we could avoid fielding (strictly speaking, as Sunderland called, they lost the toss - but that would be splitting hairs. DTs confidence with the coin had reached such a low, that pre-toss he kept trying to get someone else from the team to do it) , but then he went into some strange world when discussing boundary markers. The issue was that on one side the boundary was very small, on the other very large, and DT went into 10 minutes of deliberation before setting out the boundary markers (not sure why he was doing markers anyhow, as there was a perfectly good white line) - the initial result was to extend the short boundary by about 6 inches (anything more was impossible due to foot high grass) and reduce the long boundary from 100 yards to 99 yards : when he was questioned about whether it was worth bothering to only reduce the boundary by a yard, we went back to the white line boundary.
Anyhow, after all that chaos the London Saints innings started in chaos as well, and 3 quick wickets went town - first Damian out golden duck chasing a short wide delivery (this makes Damian Top of the Pops in the duck trophy chart - oddly, it was probably the only bad ball bowled by McGirr in the match who ended with 7-2-6-2), Trevor got an absolute snorter (clearly I am slightly bias, but it was a jaffa, honest) , and Tony was given out LBW by DT doing his Steve Bucknor impression (you could see the cogs going around in DT's head trying to think of a way by which he could avoid giving Tony out, but it was generally accepted that Tony was plum) .
Then came the record breaking stand between Phil and Gary, with two highlights - first Phil dancing down the track to hit their opening bowler for 6 over his head, and secondly Arran mysteriously calling a wide as Phil cut the ball to the fielder on the extra cover boundary (a quick discussion by the senior pros on the touchline decided that Arran had lost the plot, and we just ignored him from then on in). After Phil and then Gary fell in quick succession, the rest of the order contributed - the run rate did not pick up in the last 10 overs as you may have hoped, but this was primarily due to Sunderland ,despite the heat, maintaining a high standard of bowling and fielding throughout.
The highlights of the last 10 overs, were DTs being run out by Martin for 1, and Steve Keenan catching one straight in the nuts. Unfortunately DT's run out was an example of all that running between the wickets should not be - 2 slow runners, combined with little or no calling, and the skipper turning midwicket with the same speed as one of the liners he used to see at Southampton docks in his youth. At one point both batsmen were running to the same end, as Martin who could see his London Saints career flashing before his eyes, so belatedly and unsuccessfully tried to sacrifice himself for the skipper (it may be a coincidence, but Dewey did not get a bowl later).
In the end 165 was a reasonable score, and a remarkable comeback, but still potentially 20 runs short.
It was another London Saints record, as a whole plate of cakes were left on the table at the end of tea
Spirits were raised during tea, as in the absence of our leading cake eaters (Mssrs Griffiths, Pearce, and Speedtwin) the rest of the lads could enjoy a leisurely tea without fear that all the food would be gone within 5 minutes - in fact, there was another London Saints record, as a whole plate of cakes were left on the table at the end of tea (I can almost hear the 3 aforementioned players cursing their non-availability now).
As I mentioned, on 2 or 3 occasions Sunderland looked set for victory, as on a fast outfield it was hard to keep the run rate down. Fortunately we kept taking wickets at the just the right time. Sunderlands biggest threat created a sentence I thought I would never write in a London Saints match report - Gary Jones scored 72 ; unfortunately for Speedtwin, I am referring to 14 year old Gary Jones of Sunderland who played an excellent knock at the start of their innings. The key wickets were when Arran took 2 in 2 balls to remove both of Sunderlands batsmen who had won them the game the week before against Gents with a century partnership - especially good after the first 3 balls had gone for 10 ; and when Phil removed Gary Jones with a ball just short of a length that nipped back.
In the last two weeks I have witnessed a growing lack of respect for our beloved skipper
A number of factors helped secure the victory - we had a side packed with bowling (9 regular bowlers), those who bowled bowled well (special mention to Steve Keenan and DT who both bowled as well as I have seen them bowl, and yet remained wicketless between them ; Steve especially beat the bat on numerous occasions) , we had by London Saints standards a very athletic fielding team and we fielded well (7 under 40s must be a first for a good few years) , Little John can catch off his own bowling (though not from anyone else's, as he later demonstrated to Tony) , and the wicket became more inconsistent with at least 3 wickets from balls that kept low.
So a fine victory against a very good side, so you would expect all to be well in the London Saints camp, but unfortunately we have a problem that I feel compelled to go public with now in order to nip it in the bud. In the last two weeks I have witnessed a growing lack of respect for our beloved skipper, as demonstrated by the following behaviours:
I accept that our skipper does have his fault, which for the sake of a balanced and objective view I feel I must list :
1 After 20 years he still does not know the fielding positions - but is it that hard to just go where he points?
2 . He very rarely wins the toss on baking hot days (note this weeks exception to the rule) and therefore we end up fielding in 30+ degrees for 3.5 hours : it is normally these weeks that DT has agreed to a 40 over game. There is also a suspicion that sometimes he has lied to us, and has actually won the toss and inserted the opposition , but could not face informing the troops.
3 He has a tendency to get confused over bowlers overs, especially in tight games, leaving it so that one of our front line bowlers has 2 overs to bowl with 2 overs left. Given the rules of the game prevent any bowler bowling consecutive overs, the final over is invariably bowled by someone who has not been trusted to bowl since nets 2 months ago.
4 He is inclined to lose track a bit with the field, especially on a hot day, and invariably we end up with Tony and Eric patrolling the large deep boundary and Psycho at slip. Yesterday saw 6 players on the small leg side boundary and one fielder with responsibility for the whole of the offside and a 100 yard boundary.
5 He has in the past mistreated some of his batting all rounders to such a degree that they have felt forced to hang up their bowling boots, despite a club average the envy of any cricketer.
6 If by some fluke he moves the field and the ball goes straight to one of the fielders he just moved, and heaven forbid they take a catch, we are all forced to listen to DT's 'Art of Captaincy' lecture all night in the bar.
7 He does tend to get very bolshy each year around net time, when he thinks he has a squad of 25, and starts threatening to drop players if they do not return their availability spreadsheet by the time and date stipulated. Inevitably DT is brought rapidly down to earth, when he is struggling to get 11 out for the first game.
But it is easy to pick on someone's weaknessess, and easy to forget the advantages that the skipper brings to the team:
1 Over the years his call of 'last over' to a bowler has been a very successful wicket taking ploy
2 Most of us would not have played half as many games for any other skipper and any other club
3 No bowler gets less than a 3 over spell, no matter what load of old rubbish they send down.
4 No one who does not bowl or wicketkeep bats below 5, no matter how few runs they have accumulated
For balance it should be pointed out that b) to d) do not set DT out as a ruthless match winning skipper in the Steve Waugh league, but it is excellent for team spirit and explains the size of the squad.
5 He has copious sheets of data and analysis that he is happy to share - ask him some obscure question, and he will spend happy nights going through old scorebooks to get you the answer.
6 He is very good at giving out maps to games - I accept that this does get a little frustrating when he forces a map on you for a ground that we have travelled to for the past 15 years, but better safe than sorry.
7 He is always on time, and has never forgotten the kitbag.
8 He is very good at headstands - so if ever a tied match is to be decided by a captains headstand competition, there is not a skipper in the country I would rather have on my side.
I would like to present a couple of personal examples of the behaviour and consideration I expect the whole team to demonstrate towards DT
I am sure the skipper has numerous other strengths that the time pressures of going to press have prevented me from listing.
I do not want to hold myself up as a paragon of virtue, as I have been known to mutter under my breath about the skipper's latest field placements, but I would like to present a couple of personal examples of the behaviour and consideration I expect the whole team to demonstrate towards DT:
Anyhow, I hope that is the end of the matter. I am not suggesting that we stop slagging him off behind his back, but lets have a little more consideration when he is around.
Anyhow, back to the main business.
Champagne Moment : there are numerous candidates, as it was a day filled with adventure. Little John whose answer to the question where are you was "On the M25", and then appropriately turned up in Where's John's top. DT finally winning a toss on a baking hot day. Arran calling a wide as the ball headed towards the cover boundary off the bat. DT's impression of the QE2 turning, followed by Martin's late and desperate attempt to save his London Saints career. Phil's straight six. But my winner is Arran's 2 wickets in 2 balls to remove 2 of their match winning batsmen - the first of which was an absolute peach of an outswinger to bowl a batsman who had hit him for a 6 and 4 from 2 of the previous 3 deliveries.
Man of the Match: no contest - Phil for a superb all round display
Scorecard
SAINTS
Trev Bowled 5 Jaffa pitched middle and leg hit top of off
Damian Caught (GD) 0 Chased a wide, short delivery
Tony LBW 5 Played around a straight one, given out after much deliberation by the skipper
Phil LBW 72 Tired shot at the end of a great knock
Psycho Bowled 19 In time honoured tradition of long partnerships, went straight after Phil was out
Martin Bowled 9 Charged and missed a ball that nipped back
DT Run Out 1 QE2 turning with a full load in choppy water
Gavin Not Out 11 Including one majestic off drive
Stevie K Caught 2 Stroke play limited after catching one in the cobblers
Arran Bowled 3 Last ball of the innings
Extras 36 22 w, 10 lb, 6 byes
Total 165
SUNDERLAND
Coad C&B John 6 Nice to see John can catch - at least off his own bowling
Jones G Bowled Phil 72 Good ball, nipped back
Lambton Bowled Arran 18 Attacking shot to a ball that kept low
Stewart Bowled Arran 11 Jaffa
Howey Bowled Arran 0 Ball kept low and hit wicket off pads
Hardy Bowled Phil 0 Broke through solid defense
Trout Bowled Tony 1 Had the cheek to take our senior bowler on
Jones A Run Out 0 Neat work by Phil and Damian
McGirr Bowled Phil 0 Attacking shot to good delivery
Baker Not Out 0
Extras 16 8 w, 1 nb (not DT), 2 lb, 5 byes
Total 125
John 5-0-19-1 Bowled well again once 1st over out of the way
Stevie K 5-1-26-0 Bowled much much better than figures suggest
Arran 5-1-31-3 Good first bowl of the season
DT 5-0-18-0 Bowled very well with no luck and good batting
Phil 4.2-1-7-3 Always dangerous and economical
Tony 4-1-15-1 Good comeback after first 3 deliveries went for 10
Prediction Competition to date
Big runs before the big day 38
Fatboy 3s 50
If they were a horse you would shoot them 90
Tales of the Unexpected 180
Happy Days are here again 20
Total 378
