Despite an atrocious forecast, The Oaks First XI, aided by covers and a fair wind, got the game on, on a damp and cloudy Saturday. And what a remarkable afternoon it turned out to be.
Bashley batted first and got off to a bit of a flier. At 32-0, The Oaks looked like they might be on the end of a chastening experience. However, with the arrival of Stef Kaltner and Neil Robinson, Clive Welsman and Josh Carpenter now have some genuine back-up.
And so it showed, with all four bowlers getting in on the action as the tide turned after a Neil Robinson wicket. From struggling to get on top, The Oaks turned the game around and set about dismantling the Bashley top order, who appeared a little gung-ho.
Stef Steps Up!
Everyone bowled well, but Stef Kaltner was the pick of the bunch, taking what may well have been a match defining caught and bowled in a devastating spell of 3 for 13 off 8 Overs. Other wickets went to Clive Welsman (1-24-6) Neil Robinson (2-29-5) and Josh Carpenter, who saw off the tail with 2 for 19 off 6.4. Alex Brundle also bowled well without reward.
The Oaks were also sharp in the field, with George Lethaby and Josh Carpenter completing two sharp run-outs. To add to that, Ian Bennett had an excellent debut behind the stumps, taking a good catch and a stumping.
Bashley were all-out for 122. Below par on a tricky pitch.
The Oaks, sensing the weather could halt them, put Brad Compton-Bearne into open, hoping for some early fireworks to get the scoreboard moving.
At this point, it must be said that this was something of a gamble. Brad has only played once this year and he was still feeling the effects of a boozy wedding the day before. The omens didn’t appear good when, earlier, Brad had bowled one Over with all the rhythm of Stevie Wonder running in wearing a pair of size 16 clown’s shoes and a carrot stuck up his anus.
Duck or Blitz
Would it be a golden duck or a blitz?
When the second delivery cleared the fence, one could sense what was coming. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, utter carnage. It was a brutal assault on decent bowling. It left those of us watching, in a state where we were chuckling, and almost cringing with embarrassment at such a chaotic and frankly, ludicrous onslaught.
Of course, such is cricket, it wasn’t completely without alarm. That’s because batting with Brad is like no other experience and a few players lost concentration and therefore, their wickets. In fact, at 83-4, there were a few jangling nerves. However, George Lethaby came in and did what he needed to do by staying in, getting Brad on strike, and watching the pandemonium unfold.
Fittingly, Brad’s ton came with a six, followed by another to seal a vital victory. As the players walked off, Brad’s mum, Michelle, not really a fan of cricket, asked if he had done well. With an innings of 107 not-out, including thirteen sixes, five fours and a strike rate of 267.50, its safe to say he did okay.
Ton Up: Brad acknowledges the applause whilst George (batting) and Will (square leg) try to compute the carnage
All-Round Display
There were a few chunterings about us being a one-man side, but Brad would be the first to dismiss that accusation as nonsense. Brad’s innings was set-up by a fine bowling and fielding display by The Oaks, who now have a compact bowling attack and an excellent team ethic. If Brad hadn’t been there, I would have backed us to get the runs; it just might have taken a little longer than 15 overs of carnage.
Overall, it was an excellent day for the Oaks, and anyone privileged enough to see Brad at his chaotic, whirlwind, best. He loves coming home to see his mates and have a bit of fun smacking a cricket ball as hard as he can.
The Oaks have now moved out of the relegation zone with their second win of the season. There is no reason why they can’t keep moving up, rather than down.
On we travel.