Putting aside a week of selection challenges (see Bob’s previous messages for context) Tall Jeff Triner returned to skipper the 3rds, fresh from the previous weeks heroic MOM performance for the 2nds. The opponents last week were Overton (2’s), the opponents this time, Overton (3’s). Would history repeat itself, and Jeff’s fine run of form continueagainst the local rivals? For that my friends, you’ll need to read on (although if you’re not that bothered the title gives you the answer).
Jeff was able to name a strong line up. A mix best described as experienced, really experienced, and some youth, with left arm tweaker Alex Holman making his league debut, part of a spin trio with James Middleton, and Ravi. More on Alex to come, but rest assured, he’ll fit in well at Oakley CC, having the ability to produce flashes of sublime skill, followed by moments that just don’t make sense.
Oaks make a solid start
With a ‘strong on paper’ batting line up and knowing that the Newfound pitch is often at best ‘variable’ after tea, Jeff had no hesitation in batting first having won the toss. As openers Dan Beckell and Kris Tucknott walked to the crease the Overton fielders were keen to remind the pair that much was at stake, with this being the decider in the battle for the ‘B3400’ cup. Did the mind games work? Not for Dan, who looked calm and particularly keen to punish anything on his legs from the outset.
Kris and Ben Robinson both fell cheaply, allowing Jeff to join Dan at the crease with the pair putting on 41 for the 3rd wicket (Dan caught behind, top edging a delivery that popped a little for a well-earned 38). Jeff, started to grow in confidence as his innings progressed, showing the benefit of batting sensibly and waiting to take advantage of any wayward deliveries, reaching his fifty with relative ease.
After Phil Carpenter came and returned to the pavilion without much fuss, Jeff was joined by another in form third team regular, the ever-youthful Steve Savage. At this stage of the game the Oaks looked to accelerate the scoring, with the pair putting on 72 for the fifth wicket, at a decent rate. Steve is a class act, striking the ball well, looking strong off his legs, but also straight, playing lofted drives back over the bowlers headfor consecutive boundaries.
A calamitous end to the innings
When Steve was bowled for a better than a run a ball 40, Jeff was joined by son Adam with the Oaks well set on 193-5. Adam unfortunately didn’t last long, out to a smart catch low down at short cover looking to get on with things. This brought Alex Holman to the crease. Alex played his first delivery in league cricket with confidence, meeting a straight delivery with solid defence.
For his second delivery Alex advanced down the wicket, only a couple of paces, to again play the delivery with a sound defensive shot. At this point it became apparent that Alex had gone out to bat with his mobile phone in his pocket. And how did we know I hear you ask, well after playing his shot it fell out of his pocket onto the floor. So what did Alex do (I reckon you’re all asking that next), well showing where his priorities sit, he bent down and picked it up. And now you’re asking, ‘what did the Overton fielders do’?
Seeing Alex out of his crease and sensing an opportunity to get back in the game, they returned the ball to their wicketkeeper who ran Alex out. Laughter for some, embarrassment for Alex, and certainly a talking point for the remainder of the game! Perhaps Alex was on call from work, or was expecting an important call, or he has a large social media presence and needs to be online 24/7, or maybe, he simply forgot. I suppose we could have asked him and got the answer, but where’s the fun in that.
Avi replaced Alex, who played on and was out first ball (welcome back). Ravi replaced Avi, who in a Ravi type innings smashed his first ball for four, before being caught in the deep second ball. Out walked last man James Middleton to join Jeff (yes, still there despite all the chaos going on). Recreating the Stokes / Leach partnership of the previous home Ashes series, Jeff looked to tee off, taking the majority of the strike, which proved challenging with a number of fielders on the boundary. Eventually Jeff was bowled in the final over for a fine captains knock of 91, and the Oaks ending all out on 211.
Credit to the Overton fielders for sticking with it. They had a hot few hours in the field and had to do so one bowler short, with Phil Hoare suffering a nasty looking leg injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Oaks look to attack from the outset
Wanting to open with seam, Jeff ignored both Kris and Dan’s efforts trying to get his attention and marking out their run ups, opting for Ben to bowl the first over. Looking to be aggressive and attack from ball one (I can only assume that was what he was intending), Ben’s deliveries were short, exploring the middle of the Newfound wicket. Repeatedly. With that part of the pitch rather unresponsive, deliveries reached the batter, at best, ankle high. Ben’s first over was a mix of double / triple bouncing no balls, a straight driver four, and to much schoolboy giggling, a wicket. Fortunately for the Oaks, one straight delivery had its second bounce after the crease, bowling the unlucky Overton opener.
Jeff opened the bowling from the other end and after some initial resistance from the batters, showed the benefit of bowling full and straight, and letting the pitch do the work. Jeff picked up four quick wickets, three bowled, and one a very smart stumping by Steve. Being the decent chap he is, he brought himself off before inflicting any further damage on the opponents (jug avoidance?).
Avi replaced Ben and bowling wise looked like he’d never been away. He was also smiling, seemed to be enjoying himself, and didn’t pick an argument with the umpire. Most off putting. With Overton five down, it was time to bring the spinners into the attack. James bamboozling from one end claimed two wickets, Ravi picked up one, and Alex showed good control, turning the ball both ways to also claim two wickets, both clean bowled.
So a big 128 run win for the 3’s, thanks to a heroic captain’s all round effort, supported by some other notable performances, the Oaks claim B3400 honours 2-1. Up next, Basingstoke 5ths away, and the short trip to Stratton Park.
Marvellous.