Whisper it quietly but Saturday has been appearing on weather apps as dry and sunny for five days now. Will we get the season underway? Amport and Oakley play on private grounds so should be good to go, but there will still be nervous glances at the North Walls council pitches for the Third XI. A week of downpours will take some drying out.
First XI
The First XI travel to newly promoted Amport expecting a much tougher test than the Village Cup game that had the feel of a friendly pre-season warm up. Probably because both teams more or less treated it as such.
Amport are an ever changing club, quite often recruiting, then losing players from local army camps as well as getting talented youngsters poached by bigger clubs. This makes it impossible to predict their strength, so there is no point in trying. However, they are tough opponents in their own backyard.
Skipper, James Bayliss, found himself in head scratching position with selection, this week. Wicket keeper, Paddy Saines, just gets the nod ahead of Ian Bennett and Charlie Ead edges out Alex Brundle. Such is the spirit at the club right now, both Ian and AB have taken these close calls well and are looking forward to fighting for their places and boosting the strength of the Two’s.
Bayliss discusses options with vice, Dan Jones
Otherwise the team is as expected, with James looking at a balanced line up featuring plenty of options. The ability to bat deep could be a key factor but some early season rustiness will be a concern.However the weather problems have been the same for both sides.
There is no way of calling the favourite for this game so early in the season. However, if the strike bowlers can follow the consistency levels of Stef Kaltner and the batsmen all chip in, a positive start to the campaign is more than achievable.
Second XI
The Second string entertain Odiham III’s at Oakley Park ,with Jack Brundle having all sorts of conundrums with his starting XI. We are a club with a broad range of players at around the same level and it’s fair to say Jack has several players who could be in the First or Third XI.
The Oaks have gone for experience at the top of the order with three forty somethings in the top 3. Nelly Warner, George Rutt and Nige Bishop have all been there and done it. The hope is they will build a platform for a lively and aggressive middle-order to go on the attack. Ian, George. Mike, Will Rabley and AB can all score quickly against tiring bowlers and Dave Bowers is a great ship steadier, if needed.
The bowling looks handy, but without much practice time due to the weather, concentration will be vital. George Lethaby bowled well at Hambledon last week, as did AB who was unplayable at times but is still seeking consistency. Mike Bryant is a top bowler but has not played for some time, so the accuracy of Dave Bowers will be vital. James Middleton is the spin option and has impressed in pre-season. Will Rabley can also be very effective on his day.
On paper, this looks a strong side with plenty of big personalities. However, looking good on paper is utterly futile if the players all rely on others to dig them out. It’s time for this team to deliver what they are capable of.
Third XI
Jack’s conundrums have been to Jeff Triner’s gain and he will be delighted to have a host of decent players to chose from.
Virtually the whole team would be capable of playing up in the Second XI, leaving Jeff in a position he won’t experience too often. That being a situation where he had to leave 4 players out.
The selected players can only hope that the Friday rain is light and the North Walls pitch is fit to play on. If so there is no reason that a balanced looking team can’t start well but, as with the other sides, we don’t know the quality of the opposition yet.
Regardless, there is a great blend of youth and experience ready to go out out and aid Jeff’s ambition to make the Third XI a good side to push the team above.
Summary
So, there we are. Three games, with all teams filled. It wont be like that every week and those who missed out this week, will play in the next game.
What we want to see is 33 players representing Oakley as a whole. Every player has a role to play in helping to grow and move forward to better things.
If everyone gives all they have got, and battles for their respective team, from start to finish, we will win more games than we lose. If we are still not good enough, we take it on the chin, have a beer and move on as one club.
Three teams, one Oakley…go forward my merry men and give it your all!
