Sorry guys, $8.92
fine for blatant laziness - I am still running back
to the other end of the crease!
Arrived at the ground to find a typical Herring pitch
– dead flat which along with the now bone dry
outfield, promised plenty of runs.
Monash had given us a flogging last meeting scoring
350+ and backed it up with some cheap talk during the
20/20 comp, so we were keen to make amends and restore
some Barnie pride.
Big Hucca is in the clubroom feeling good after some
runs last week (with bat and ball) and was frothing
at the mouth to deliver some sweet revenge.
With the weather expected to get warmer and the outfield
faster, we won the toss and sent them in.
As usual old Hucca strikes early and puts them under
pressure and with Patto and the Captain attacking as
well as some fine catches being taken (Hucca and Sparkles),
Monash are in trouble at 4 for not much.
With Barnies right on top and big Hucca employing some
new and innovative send-offs for each batsman, the boys
were pumped.
It was now time for the quick kill and after being dropped
for taking 6 wickets in his previous match, Wrighty
was introduced up the hill. Wrighty takes a wicket but
the Monash tail wags and threatens to take the initiative
back.
Big Hucca then gets the nod and the fieldsmen spread
to the boundary. A few disappear over the fence but
the big fella strikes back hard taking 4 wickets giving
out some ripper sprays. Patto then cleans up the tail
and Monash are all out for 189 – a very gettable
total on a flat pitch and fast outfield.
With the wind picking up, the BBQ is struggling and
some quick ales are knocked down while we wait. Eventually
Hucca and I get it firing and Toddy and Hyndo are sent
out to face the new ball. With a large brick wall blocking
our view from the BBQ we are forced to rely on appeals
(including those from the scorers) to judge how the
boys are going, but all we can hear is bat on ball as
Toddy gets us off to a flyer. Cow corner is evacuated
in anticipation of more brutality but right on cue Toddy
feathers one to the keeper and the Barnies are one down.
Taking lead from Paki opener Salmon Butt, Patto and
Hyndo take off for a suicidal single only to be easily
run out – but wait….Wrighty sees injustice
from the stands and screams out to the umpire that the
keeper did not have ball-in-glove while taking out the
stumps (not that it has ever stopped us from claiming
runouts or stumpings!). Good work Wrighty as the umpire
and Monash Captain agree to call Hyndo back and all
is well.
Hyndo then gives Monash some catching practice, but
they obviously are not used to it as it ricochets off
the fielder’s generous midriff and onto the ground
to rapturous applause.
Patto then cracks one through the off side but they
manage to take it. The Captain arrives feeling confident
but possibly a little over confident as he takes off
for a run Mohammad Yousuf style only to see Salman Hyndman
not too interested. After nearly shaking hands with
Hyndo a last ditch attempt was made to reach the other
end (including trying to swat the ball away mid-air),
but to no avail as there was too much ground to make
up.
With Big Hucca coming fresh off an 80 odd last week
there was still hope for a revival and all looked good
until a defensive lofted block (where have we seen that
shot before?) was snapped up at longish mid off. We
are in real trouble now and after Barnie semi final
hero Kirshy is cleaned up, the writing is on the wall.
Special mention to top scorers Hyndo and Toddy’s
mate Sparkles for getting us to at least a hundred.
We fell 80 odd short in the end but gave the fans some
entertaining cricket. A visit from Jars capped off a
great day.
