“Big Head
Finally has Something to Boast About”
Match: 10
/ 205
Won
by 2 wkts
|
Team |
Total |
|
Marsh XI |
154 - 9 |
|
M. Reeves 4 - 14, J. Hoskins
2 - 21 |
|
|
|
|
|
FFTMCC |
156 - 8 |
|
D. Edwards 47, P. Mellor
34 |
|
|
Did I tell you I once
got a century on this ground, playing for the Marlborough House? You can read
all about it here (match report #4 1999) although the only bit worth
mentioning is: “Indeed,
if not for a well-constructed century by Marlborough’s Reeves (102) the
Jude’s target would have been nothing less than derisory.” Did I also mention
that I was an absolute cast-iron, nailed on, let’s not even bother having a
vote certainty for the Marlborough House Player of the Season award that
year? Did you know that the Marlborough were as dismal at cricket as they
were at voting during the AGM? Did you know that apparently “being unlucky
and the stats not telling the full story” was a valid reason for not voting
for the most prolific run scorer in 1999? Did you know that hat size isn’t
necessarily an indication of head size?
M.
Reeves arrives at Cutteslowe looking like a right banker. The FFTMCC pitched up at Cutteslowe park one
sunny Wednesday evening to face a Marsh XI side who had administered a
dicking on the same ground only 23 days earlier. As usual the full Mad team
were all present and correct at the appointed time to be greeted by one Marsh
player and two kids. No matter, it’s almost mid-summers day, plenty of time.
Martin lost the toss so therefore we were in the (rutted and bumpy) field.
The poor state of the outfield was in contrast to the excellently prepared
wicket and the Marsh openers made the most of it against the spirited opening
partnership of J. Pearson (4-0-43-1) and D. Shorten (4-0-34-1). Pearson in
particular was required to show considerable and admirable restraint in not
letting rip, as fielders contrived to usher the ball to the boundary on many
occasions. Goodness we were awful. Then the first turning point as J. Hoskins
(4-0-21-2) and Reeves (who once made a century on this ground) came on first
change. Both registered wickets and managed to slow the flow of runs a
little, but the Marsh innings continued to bound along at about ten an over.
T Smith (2-0-29-0) bowled much better than his figures suggested (so would
therefore win player of the year at the Marlborough) along with D. Edwards
(2-0-13-1). The only bright moment in an otherwise terrible team fielding
display was J. Pearson making good ground running forwards and taking a smart
catch.
J.
Pearson (right) tosses down another doughnut. Then the real turning point. At the fall of a
further wicket, skipper Moo took the unusual step of calling the team in to
an on field huddle. Fear that future opponents are reading this prevents me
from retelling all that was said, but it bought to mind Henry V. ‘C’mon lads
we’re not out of this yet’ (at 130 off 15 overs) is all I can reveal. Even in the short form of the game, wickets can
be important. This was the case in this match, although not for the expected
reason. We absolutely must not take any more wickets otherwise opener Bila (retired on 52) will return to heap further damage.
OK skip, shouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, Hoskins and Reeves (the two
best bowlers The MAD have ever seen – Mike 4-0-14-4) just could not help
themselves, with Hoskins pointing out quite correctly that it’s
actually quite difficult not to bowl directly at the stumps. So McGrath
(Reeves) and Warne (Hoskins) improved their stats and Bila
duly returned. Fortunately, their brilliance continued with the inspirational
words of Moo ringing in their ears, the run rate slowed in the final few
overs and The MAD were set a challenging 155 to win.
Edwards
(47) looking the part in his gardening shorts. “They’re a better batting side than they are
fielding” was the encouraging words as openers Shorten and Roberts went out
to bat. The Marsh were in party mood, seemingly with no inkling that 155
might actually be achieved and certain they were about to administer a second
beating of the year. These thoughts seemed to be confirmed when Shorten was
soon back in the hutch along with Leggate as The MAD slumped to 1 for 2. That
became 7 for 3 when C. Roberts (4) was castled. In came P. Mellor (34) and
Edwards and did a fine job, pushing the rate along at 10 an over until Mellor
was eventually run out (exhausted). He left the field with the smile of a man
who’s given his all but who’s race is now run. The Marsh, starting to sense
an unlikely defeat, unleashed their fiercest bowlers. Edwards (47) was equal
to all they could throw at him until finally undone as he attempted to
maintain the run rate against a leg stump yorker. Hoskins (15) goosed
magnificently assisted by Pearson (9) and Smith (1) to put us within touching
distance of an unlikely win.
Martin
(left) waiting to bat towards the tense finale. Finally it came down to M. Westmoreland (2*) and
Reeves needing 20 off the last two overs with only I. Howarth (TFC) in
reserve. Reeves (20*) was in no doubt. Casting off his XXXXL hat, he strode
to the crease ready to recreate a tiny part of that magical day in 1999. Boom
as the first six cannoned off his mighty bat. Kerpow
as the next one went even further, disappearing into the gathering gloom.
Swish went the final beautiful off drive and we were home. Stick that in the
minutes of the Marlborough House AGM 1999. ‘Ol’ Big Head’
|
*
Statto
Scorecards
|
Far from the MCC versus Marsh XI Played at Cutteslowe Park, 7 July
2010 Marsh XI won the toss and elected to bat Far from the MCC won by 2 wkts Far from the MCC debuts:
none |
10 / 205 20 over match |
|
Team |
Marsh XI |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Batsman |
How Out |
Total |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
FOW |
|
1 |
Bila |
retired |
52 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
J. Hussain |
c Smith b Reeves |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
D. Danish |
b Reeves |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
D. Adnan |
c Shorten b Edwards |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
F. Hussain |
b Shorten |
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
Zia |
lbw b Hoskins |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
Z. Abassi |
c Pearson b Hoskins |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
A. Amir |
b Pearson |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
A. Hamdan |
b Reeves |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
Kid |
not out |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
Majid |
b Reeves |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extras |
(W3, LB1,) |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
(for 9 wickets, 20 overs) |
154 |
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wkts |
|
|
1 |
Pearson |
4 |
0 |
43 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
Shorten |
4 |
0 |
34 |
1 |
|
|
3 |
Hoskins |
4 |
0 |
21 |
2 |
|
|
4 |
Reeves |
4 |
0 |
14 |
4 |
|
|
5 |
Smith |
2 |
0 |
29 |
0 |
|
|
6 |
Edwards |
2 |
0 |
13 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team |
Far from
the MCC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Batsman |
How Out |
Total |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
FOW |
|
1 |
D. Shorten |
c b Amir |
0 |
(1) |
- |
- |
1-1 |
|
2 |
C. D. Roberts |
b Zia |
4 |
(3) |
1 |
- |
3-7 |
|
3 |
I. C. Leggate |
c b Amir |
0 |
(2) |
- |
- |
2-1 |
|
4 |
P. A. S. Mellor |
run out |
34 |
(26) |
6 |
- |
4-91 |
|
5 |
D. M. Edwards |
b Majid |
47 |
(43) |
7 |
- |
7-127 |
|
6 |
J. D. Hoskins |
b Adnan |
15 |
(10) |
3 |
- |
5-110 |
|
7 |
J. W. Pearson |
b Adnan |
9 |
(11) |
1 |
- |
6-125 |
|
8 |
T. P. W. Smith |
c b Adnan |
1 |
(5) |
- |
- |
8-131 |
|
9 |
M. T. Westmoreland *+ |
not out |
2 |
(7) |
- |
- |
- |
|
10 |
M. K. Reeves |
not out |
20 |
(8) |
1 |
2 |
- |
|
11 |
I. Howarth |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extras |
(NB3, W19, LB3) |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
(for 8 wickets, 18.5 overs) |
156 |
|
|
|
|
|
# |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wkts |
|
|
1 |
Amir |
1.5 |
0 |
26 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
Zia |
2 |
0 |
12 |
1 |
|
|
3 |
Kid |
2 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
|
|
4 |
Hamdan |
2 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
|
|
5 |
J. Hussain |
2 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
|
|
6 |
F. Hussain |
3 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
|
|
7 |
Adnan |
4 |
0 |
24 |
3 |
|
|
8 |
Majid |
2 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
MOTM: M. K. Reeves Champagne Moment: M. K. Reeves’ second
maximum over cow Buffet
Award: T. P. W. Smith’s well grilled
vegetarian mushrooms (with pepper sauce) |
Opposition:
V058 / 02 Ground: G001 / 30 Captain: C011 / 33 |