Connoisseurs of the longer form of the game complain that other formats do not make the same demands on skill and temperament. They argue that in the course of forty overs a team can be tested to its limits. So the new brand of Forty20 cricket played at St. Lawrence’s at the weekend dismayed the traditionalists.

Captain Brown invited our hosts to bat, on a wicket that Paul (who had prepared it) described as very good. A strong sun shone down on St. Lawrence’s very pretty and well kept ground. The occasional lazy bee droned past. Church clocks chimed in the distance, and pigeons, enjoying a false sense of security, were cooing softly in the branches of the trees around the boundary.

Nick Cobb, who has already scored heavily in second team games this season, and his fellow opener Andrew(?) Ball, put on runs steadily against an attack spearheaded by Nigel Jeffery and Steve Aroksamay. Although Nigel beat the bat on several occasions, his shorter deliveries were pounced on. Steve was difficult to score off, but helped out with a few extras.

Ball was eventually caught by Brad off Nigel for 40, and after 20 overs St. Lawrence’s total was below 100. Nick Cobb, on 63, scooped a delivery from Brad into Jasplin’s safe hands. Thereafter it was down to Richard Smith to press the attack.

Then came a pivotal spell from the Ageing Hack. 11 balls yielded only two runs and the wicket of St. Lawrence’s number 4. Captain Brown then withdrew his strike bowler and reverted to the more predictable style of his stock performers. The only blemish on the Ageing Hack’s record was the first ball six that, according to independent observers, reduced the pigeon count by one – knocking it off a branch, high up in cow corner.

St. Lawrence’s innings finished on 198 for 6. Brad had been the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 24 from 9. Steve finished with 2 for 35 from 9. AH was the next most economical with 1 for 8 off 2. Nigel took the other wicket to fall in his 8 overs for 52. Sam, Ray, and Paul were the other bowlers used.

Paul and Steve opened for us. The first over proved eventful with three wides, a single, a wicket and a six. Ray put down a marker for the duck cup with a golden one and this brought Steve out after only four balls. Unfortunately for St. Lawrence, Steve had left his jumper on the mid-off boundary and, reasoning that he needed time to collect it, he launched his first ball over the hedge and the road, into the field beyond. By the time the ball was retrieved Steve was wearing his sweater and looking more comfortable.

Paul, Sam, and Montie played supporting roles as Steve plundered 139 not out, taking us to 198 for 4 in the 20th over. The final ball was bowled to square leg to prevent the possibility of yet another boundary taking us to 200, and a third batting point. Hey ho.

An honourable mention for Jasplin, not out on 14 at the end. The previous week, against Four Elms, he made a personal best of 38, which I failed to mention because there was no match report. There: I’ve reported it now.

- Wyn

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Posted on Thursday, 18th June, 2009 in 2nds Match Reports.