It’s back to looking at the weather apps again this weekend as The Oaks go looking for elusive victories. There is rain and thunder in the air but, it appears there is a good chance of a dry Saturday.
The First XI head to IBM Hursley looking for a more peaceful affair than last time out. A day when a long unbeaten run ended in controversy and Brad ripping his shirt. They do so with more changes than I can count. Injuries and weekend breaks from cricket are mounting up.
As a quick count, Michael Wood (rib) Ian Bennett (ankle) and Mike Bryant (back) are all injured. Clive (get well soon Martine) Fawad Amin (unavailable) Gayan Liyanage (unavailable) and George Lethaby (taken up Hurling) are also missing. This leaves Alex running around like a demented card shuffler at a Las Vegas casino.
Lethaby: Taken up Hurling
The good news is that we have a big squad at Oakley, and this creates opportunities. Back to where he started out life as a cricketer, comes irrepressible all-rounder, Neil Robinson. Neil will be a big boost to the bowling attack, aiding the excellent youngster, Josh Carpenter. Brad Compton-Bearne is also back in town and will be joined in the bowling attack by debut boy, Stefan Kaltner. Stefan joins The Oaks after recently moving into the local area.
There are changes to the batting line-up from last week (Clive and Woody will be missed) but it is hoped we can continue our recent form of putting decent scores on the board. The glaring deficiency in the team has been too many extras and a lack of bowling options. If Stefan and Neil can fill that gap, we could well be in business.
The second XI are also affected by changes but still look good enough to put up a decent challenge against Sherfield. Notable entrants in the team are young bowlers, Herbie Hamilton, and Noah Beckell. Both are getting better by the week.
Chairman, Bob Lethaby, also comes in for his first game of the season. Bob offers the team batting, bowling, and fielding options. They might not be very good batting, bowling, and fielding options, but he will offer them all the same.
The Second XI have had a baffling run of results, with good individual performances not being enough. As a unit, we have lacked a bit of cohesion and should be doing better. By all accounts, we bowled and fielded well for 30 overs last week, then faded. This week, the challenge is to give it our all for 40 Overs.
The Third XI are, without covers, staring down the barrel of a disappointing cancellation after two days of rain. With cricketers, hope is often all we have, so we must laugh in the face of the deluge and pretend it is all systems go.
Opponents, Titchborne, are apparently marching towards promotion. Dan Beckell’s eclectic team will need to be bang on it, to cause an upset. The chopping and changing around the team are too much to compute, but as ever, it is the batting where Dan will be searching for options.
Can the Third XI cause a cricketing earthquake? Of course. However, the more likely outcome appears to be an afternoon of pretending to be interested at The Wyevale Garden Centre. It needs to stop raining and it needs to stop raining fast. Say that in a Tony Grieg accent and it’s like being a Test Match commentator.
So, off we go again in search of converting a host of near misses into victories. It’s going to happen. I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes, the wins are all around me, and so the feeling grows. It’s written on the wind, it’s everywhere I go, so if you really love winning, come on and let it show.
I’m that confident, I might write a song about it.
