When I looked on the BBC weather App yesterday, it said that Saturday would be a day of rain and showers. Yet, as I woke this morning and did the first thing I do every Friday (click on weather apps) it looks like sunshine and a 2% chance of rain. It appears the cricketing gods are offering us another miracle after narrowly missing the rain last week.
First XI
The First XI head to the south coast for a clash of the relegation titans when they meet Emsworth. Both teams are on something of a high after registering their first wins last week, so it is shaping up to be a cracker.
Annoyingly but unavoidably, Alex can’t go with the eleven he picked last week due to several absentees. Notably, opener, Will Cheyney, dazzling wicketkeeper/batsman, James Bayliss, and strike bowler, Neil Robinson, who looked good on his Oakley return last week.
Back come Mickey Wood, George Lethaby and Gayan Liyanage, whilst Tom Dickinson deputises for Neil Robinson. Quite fitting that the son of Dickin, replaces the son of Robin. In for James Bayliss, comes youngster, Steve Savage. Steve makes his first County Two wicketkeeping appearance at the tender age of 69. He will be shaping up to the opening bowling of Josh Carpenter, who was born just 20 years after Steve made his Oaks debut.
Plenty for Alex to ponder, but he does have decent options throughout the team, and enough to be competitive in an important game for both clubs.
Second XI
The Second Team entertain Hartley Wintney III’s, still in search of that elusive first win of the season. Jack has had to make lots of changes too, but many of them are positive ones. Nelly Warner, Ian Bennett, Chris Morris, and Clive Welsman are all first team regulars who could make that difference.
Nathan Rabley deputises for Steve Savage behind the stumps and Nigel Bishop comes in to bolster the batting. The only survivors from last week’s defeat are Jack Brundle, Jeff King, Dave Bowers, Kalum Sapumanage and inexplicably, Bob Lethaby. Bob (who keeps his place due to only being able to play home games) has been practicing catches this week. He has been doing this whilst trying not to look like someone who has just had a hot poker inserted into his anal passage.
Should be a good game this one. We live in hope that we can rid ourselves of a long and barren losing run. Come on fellas, this is our time. A day when bad memories are slayed, and legends are made.
Third XI
The Third XI have a tough fixture at high flying Overton II’s this week and must do without skipper Dan Beckell and his son, Noah. Chippy Carpenter Senior is still missing through injury, but The Oaks are boosted by Kris Tucknott, Jeff Triner and George Rutt in what has often been a batting line up bereft of depth.
Bowling shouldn’t be an issue, with youngsters, Herbie Hamilton, and Harry Tucknott, having plenty of back up from Savindu Sapumanage, Taner McEwan and spin king, James Wiltshire. At six foot seven, anyone’s money would be on James being a thunderous paceman. James is anything but. With the ball coming in from cloud height with plenty of spin, don’t bet against absolute carnage tomorrow if James gets it right. He is very hard to play.
Overton are overwhelming favourites in this game where a depleted Oaks are more underpuppies than underdogs. Cricket is a funny old game though, and a rip-roaring bowling spell or a gutsy innings can change fortunes quickly. On their day, The Oaks can take that ruddy form book, and ruddy well tear it up!
So, with the weather looking fair and with all three teams raring to go, we look forward to another weekend of action. Go well you merry men of Oakley, there are places to go and points to be plundered.
Vroom, vroom…
