Well, doesn’t it make a change not to be talking about what the weather is going to be like at the weekend? This is because a high-pressure system is pushing through France and in turn, shutting off an arctic air flow. This will cut off the northerly wind, with a south easterly bringing temperatures more akin to summer. Temperatures will be 21 to 22 centigrade over the weekend, making it pleasant for all.
Yes, it’s certainly nice not to be talking about the weather.
First XI
The First XI entertain Bransgore looking to improve on last week’s defeat at Redlynch. However, they will have to do without opener Dan Jones (crashing go-karts) and number 3, Matt Burrell (holiday) both unavailable. So, not ideal.
This leaves skipper, Alex Brundle in a right little pickle with regards to how his team is set up. This is due to the replacements being bowlers, meaning AB must reshuffle the batting line up. The massive question in the sporting world right now, is how AB will deal with this cricketing conundrum?
Well, these are unprecedented times, so AB has decided to finalise his line-up once we know who is batting first. Proof that as a captain, Alex is more cunning than Professor Fox, chief lecturer in ‘Cunning Studies’ at the Oxford University of Cunning. Last week the batting wasn’t great but there were some encouraging signs against decent Redlynch bowling. Defensively we looked okay, but we need to be more active when it comes to moving the ol’ scoreboard along.
One theory is to take a leaf out of Chris Morris’s book. Mozzer is like a cross between Graham Thorpe and Usain Bolt when it comes to pinch hitting and moving the game along. However, his tactics also carry the risk of leaving us with more heart-attacks than runs. I’m not saying I won’t give Clive mouth to mouth resuscitation, but it’s not on my ‘Things to do before I am 60’ list. Perhaps we should look for a happy medium? We certainly need to take more scoring opportunities when they arise.
The good news is that we have more bowling options this week. Fawad Amin and Mike Bryant come in and that certainly adds more balance to the team. With plenty of other bowling options, it appears that we can build on some good stuff last week and be a bit cleverer and more robust with our bowling changes.
We know little about the opposition, but it will almost certainly be another test of character for The Oaks. We are continuing to discover that our opponents know how to play cricket from numbers one to eleven. This is okay but we have been more used to playing teams with 5 good players. The six others generally being sickly and bemused looking chaps who only agreed to play whilst on their ninth pint, the night before.
Who will win? There’s no point in asking me. I haven’t got a clue.
Second XI
The Second XI head to Tadley and the quintessential surroundings of the local nuclear bomb factory. On the agenda will be an improvement on last week’s semi- calamitous defeat v Bentworth. It was one of those type of games where debut boy, Mike Bryant, was informed by his wife, “If you are going to come home like this every week, I’d rather you didn’t play”.
Run machine and skipper, Jack Brundle, also makes changes with Nellie Warner and Nathan Rabley unavailable. Also missing is Mike Bryant who steps up to the ones. In come all-rounder Kalum ‘cat on a hot tin roof’ Sapumanage, left-arm pace merchant, Ollie Rabley, and batsman Nigel ‘tidy lawn’ Bishop. The key to success will be to bowl, bat and field a bit better than last week, and not have Woody cut in half by ‘The ball of the century’.
Michael Wood: Cut in half by ball of the century
Always a close game this one and it is hard to call a winner. My money is on either AWE Tadley, Oakley, or a draw. You heard it here first.
Third XI
The Third XI just want a game. Yes, they will be competitive, yes, they want to win. Ultimately though, they just want a game of cricket.
Fortunately, Newfound is ready to play on, so unless there is an almost comedic tragedy with the weather, it is all systems go. Dan and the lads can’t wait.
Once again, the team is an eclectic blend of youth and vintage, with Deano thrown in for good measure. However, looking at the team sheet, one suspects Dan will be delighted with his line-up. Third teams can often feature two players who know what end of the bat to hold and seven or eight players who have been selected due to having a pulse. This one has cricketers in it and that is a bonus.
The balance between batting and bowling looks good…. oh, hang on, looking at it closer, to achieve a positive result, the experienced top order batting needs to deliver. And do you know what…I think they ruddy well will.
So, we go again. It’s great to have three teams out on the pitch on what promises to be a glorious Saturday. This is due to a high pres…oh shut up Bob, for Christ’s sake.
Vroom, vroom, see you all tomorrow…go forth my merry men, go forth!
