Ian Bennett’s ambitious second string got off to a flying start yesterday, seeing off a potentially dangerous Odiham Third XI at Oakley Park. On an unusually warm opening day of the season, The Oaks won the toss and batted first.
Off to a Flier
Steve Bown and the highly intelligent but slightly deranged Nick Green opened with an aggressive plan to take the game away from Odiham. It worked, with both batsmen taking advantage of some rusty fielding and going hard at it.
The Oaks raced past 50, but just when it looked like being one of those Nick Green impersonating Brad games, he had to go, LBW on 28. New boy Joe Marlow came to the crease, hitting a beautifully timed six followed by another lovely stroke straight to Odiham’s best fielder. Oh dear.
A Slight Wobble as Bown Passes 50
Bownie on his way to an excellent 91
58-0 became 69-2, and after a few more lusty blows from Bown, Chris ‘Mozzer’ Morris departed the cauldron furious with himself. It was now 90-3, with Ian frantically calling debutant Sharan Hugar, who had decided to walk to the Co-Op not knowing it was two miles away.
A wobble incoming? On another day, maybe. However, Ian Bennett and Steve Bown, now passing 50, took advantage of some profligacy in the field and pumped a 74-run partnership to all parts. Sadly, Bown didn’t make the ton that looked inevitable, somehow getting out to some sort of full toss in a manner that made Anne Widdecombe look attractive. Still, a knock of 91 was a great start to the campaign.
Ian Firing
With Ian now firing on all cylinders, George Lethaby came to the crease. He slapped his fifth ball to the boundary fielder, then walked off showing all the composure of his dad by hoofing his helmet a distance of, shall we say, around 25-30 yards.
When Ian departed for an excellent Root 66, there was a concern the innings might stall. There needn’t have been, as Noah Beckell and Ollie Rabley put on an excellent late-order partnership of 30. When Noah got stumped, Bob Lethaby came in and made a well-crafted one off 2 balls before departing unbeaten for his well-deserved tea, crafted by Jennifer. He didn’t get it though, as modern technology meant his keys had decided to lock themselves in his car.
Tea, Then an Early Vomit Inducer
So, tea was taken, with 237 on the board and Bob scavenging for scraps like a disillusioned street beggar. The bucket of chicken owned by Alex Rogan was a godsend. On the upside, Sharan had returned from his aborted journey to the Co-Op, and The Oaks were ready to defend a healthy score.
The Oaks opened with youngsters Noah Beckell and Zak Newton looking for early inroads. Then, a big Brucie Bonus. Noah’s appalling loosener, a half-tracking, hideously ugly second delivery eventually got to Odiham run-machine Nick Bryant. A six, surely? Nope, a shot even uglier than the delivery looped to George Lethaby, who took a simple catch. Nick left the scene knowing he better not start vomiting or he might not be able to stop. Cricket eh, bloody hell.
The Stranglehold
As Odiham started to rebuild at the other end, Zak Newton was bowling nicely, constantly finding the edge without reward. He eventually got one to stick, with Warnakulasuriya edging to Ian Bennett. Zak deserved that. George Lethaby replaced the tiring Noah and proceeded to bowl well then not so well. However, he did get the important wicket of the other Warnakulasuriya (thank god for copy and paste) who was looking decent. Joe Marlow took the catch.
At 72-3, there was no doubt Odiham were still in with a sniff. However, that sniff would soon become a whimper with Ollie Rabley and the Co-Op rambler (Sharan) strangling the game in an excellent bowling partnership. Sharan turned out to be exactly what the 2s require. A metronomic, bang on the money bowler, bowling just one wide in his 8-over spell that also featured Nick Green singing ‘New York, New York, by Frank Sinatra. No one knows why.
At the other end, Ollie, buoyed by a good cameo with the bat, was bowling with freedom and confidence, taking a wonderful 3-22 off 8. Joe Marlow replaced Sharan, picking up a wicket in a 4-over spell of liquorice all sorts, and the job was all but done.
The Oakley Express Arrives on Time
However, with one wicket still required for maximum points and tension mounting, Ian was running out of options. Enter the chair. With muscles bulging from his lithe limbs that were glistening with sweat in the May sunshine, ‘The Oakley Express’ steamed in from the Oakley Hall end with movement akin to a knackered traction engine.
A swing, a miss, and all three stumps cartwheeling to the boundary amongst wild celebrations. Maximum points taken. What a start for the second eleven. All had gone according to plan, the weather, the batting total, and fine bowling throughout. You can’t ask for much more.
A Good Day
If Ian can keep players fit and available, this is a team that can become serious challengers. That is a big ‘if’ in the life of a second team captain, but he couldn’t have asked for a better start in a game where everyone contributed in one way or another.
M.O.M Sharan Hurgar: Strangled the scoring, tried to walk to the Co-Op and wore a shirt signed by Rahul Dravid
*Thanks to Alex Rogan umpiring, Billy for scoring and Odiham for staying for a beer. A good bunch.