SCORECARD

Fitmen winning streak continues

It was cold, it was grey, it was the 6th of May. Kings Heath CC, south of Brum, tails never fails and with a quick look around at the array of talent at the skipper’s disposal, we’ll have a bat, thank you very much.

Due to a Spondilicious mix up, we were all eagerly awaiting the legendary Dr Weed to arrive (he was pencilled in at 3), but he was never available was he? Down to 10, trying to find a last minute replacement, come up with a batting line up, no bails!! Muttering “I bet I get out for a golden duck”, the honour of skippering the Fitship is an onerous one.

Following a fluid 50 the week before, the cricketing gods laughed and the golden duck appeared. Straight through the gate clattering middle stump. “No need for bails there” from the KH ‘keeper, only heightened the ecstatic love of the game felt after a hard days work. With a very short boundary on one side, a big score looked on the cards. However, sometimes eyeing up a very short boundary, licking ones lips at the thought of topping the 6-O’meter for the rest of the season, a succession of batsmen fell into the trap of not playing each ball on merit.

Low variable bounce and the ball cutting off the seam did not help fluid stroke play. The KH opening bowlers were good. 19-1 off 5 (changing ends every 5 to speed things up), the going was slow. On comes “spinner” Pete who bags Harry E (3) with a smart catch at square leg, Timmsy (9) mistiming a hoick and Stevie Nicks (7) bowled by one that did grip and turn. 30-4. Wizard.

Waseem in at 4 to steady the ship. Rana bowled for 1 and Rob Nutt also out bowled for 2, 43-6? The Fitship was on the verge of capsizing and thoughts were turning to curry sauce n chips and watching the footy. In our hour of need, who responded to the cries for help on Whatsapp? Our very own multi-trophy winning all-arounder Billy. The lad we knew has changed into a man, with a couple of kids, worldly experience and who has shed at least 25KG and (get this) was genuinely rapid running between the wickets.

7 4’s, a mighty 6, singles turned into 2’s. Waseem was mightily buoyed to finally have a batting companion was in devastating form as well with only a single boundary but 3 cracking 6’s – 2 flat one’s over extra cover were immense. A stand of 84 in 8 overs swung the Fitship upright and full steam ahead. No other batsmen could touch these 2 all night. Billy 41 off 23 and Waseem 39 off 27. A pleasure to watch and the golden duck long forgotten. This is a team game after all unlike other racquet based sports.

Time for Jon Ashton to somehow get another duck, Ian Nutt allowed to show off his delightful late cut (twice) and remain not out. Dee to continue his incredible not out form with the bat. A sumptuous 3 off the final ball to put the Fitmen on 143 for 9. From 43-6, a quite remarkable turnaround.

It was still cold and grey. It was still the 6th of May. Time to try and field in the few patches of sunshine available. With the short boundary defended and the huge expanse of out-field covered by Jonny A and Dee, the un-conventional opening bowling attack for Rana and Ian Nutt was unleashed.

Rana 3-0-4-0 was unplayable. Full stop. Nutterrrr equally parsimonious. After 5 overs no wickets but only 18 on the board. Enter MOM Billy to remind us all of his bowling talents with 3-0-11-3 knocking the stuffing out of the KH top order. Dee supported him superbly with a wicket of his own.

The ground fielding was good. Catches taken by Rana and Timmsy (who was excellent behind the stumps all innings). KH didn’t really have an answer. After all, they had really expected to have been chasing maybe 90-100 on this pitch, having themselves bowled so well.
The depth of talent at the skipper's fingertips was frightening. Ashton rolled back the years with a quality exhibition of swing bowling 1-20. Rob Nutt continued his fine bowling against WMD chipped in with 1-22 and Waseem showed everyone how to bowl at the death, full and bang on off-stump 1-14. Game over. KH 107-8 and a win by 36 runs.

High 5’s all round. Still un-beaten!! The Fitship steams on.

**Special mention to the KH bar team for delivering a stupendous curry sauce n chips. Sauce served in it’s own large bowl. Chips cooked to perfection! Timmsy paid!!!!! BOOM