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'Graveney
fall short in run chase at South Bank'
By
Tim Bunn
South Bank 192 - 8 (from 35 overs)
Graveney 149 all out (from 30.4 overs)
Graveney Lost by 43 runs
Nine of the Graveney team arrived in good time at the excellent, new
facility in Dulwich which plays host to the home games of South Bank CC.
Raghu had a reasonable excuse for arriving just in time for the start of
the game as he travels some distance to represent Graveney CC. On the
other hand, Howard (driving from his North London base) probably had
less far to travel than most other players yet still managed to arrive
during the 11th over.
But what an entrance! South Bank’s opening bat (Dollin) had amassed 30
runs before slapping a Kankate (7-1-30-5) delivery to mid off where
Howard, diving forward, took an exceptional catch millimetres from the
ground. The umpire was not going to give the decision and the batsman
was not going to walk until the Graveney wicket-keeper (Bunny) advised
Dollin that it was definitely a good catch, at which point the opener
trudged to the boundary shaking his head.
Prior to this, Pradeep (5-1-19-0) had opened the bowling in dramatic
style, his first over including 7 (seven) wides. The umpires suggested
that we break for tea after that over but Graveney pressed on with Tim
Eveleigh (7-1-42-1) bowling from the other end. Tim bowled a good line
and length and accounted for Crick (bowled, 5).
Raghu replaced Pradeep after 10 overs had been bowled and was
immediately amongst the wickets. Following the controversial departure
of Dollin, Rags also accounted for batsmen 3, 4, 5 & 6. Dave Chappell
(who would later drop a horrible, towering ball) took a good catch, with
Goodburn and Bunn (wk) also holding onto chances off Rags’ bowling. Both
Pradeep and Rags managed to achieve genuine swing on the ball but once
the Asian contingent within the South Bank ranks came to the crease, a
quick Graveney win seemed less likely.
Towards the end of the innings batsmen Raj, Nasir and Abu opened up and
hit some very powerful boundaries, Raj eventually falling to a
Skidmore/Chappell run out for 22 runs. Dave Chappell (6-0-33-0) bowled
well but came on at the wrong time, just when the South Bank batsmen had
the bit between their teeth. Dave French (4-1-20-0) delivered a couple
of really good overs, and then also took some punishment when the
opposition set about him.
Bunny took off his pads and, still believing himself to be a spin
bowler, chucked the ball down the leg side for a couple of overs and a
lot of runs. Finally realising that he should stick to what he knows, he
reverted to his usual ‘pace’ bowling, immediately taking the wicket
(danger-man Abu) and ending with 4-0-27-1. Experiment over.
Captain Skidmore (2-0-11-0) brought himself on for a couple of overs at
the death and South Bank ended on 192-8 off their 35 overs (short format
and early start due to anticipated easy victory for England over USA in
the World Cup. Watch out for Spain though – everyone’s favourites) and
the teams embarked to the new pavilion for a decent tea.
Jason Court
(3) opened the Graveney innings with Nick Goodburn (4). The bowling of
Banerjee and Sibley was accurate and O’D (5) also feel cheaply. Rags,
batting at number 4, steadied the ship with a solid 26 and rarely looked
in trouble until he was caught off the bowling of Alexander.
During the opening few overs, the Skipper’s man management skills were
called upon as a heated discussion ensued between Tim Eveleigh and
Howard regarding the latter’s time-keeping. (The solution is surely
simple – bat Howard at 11 until he can afford a Sat Nav that works).
This argument was still bubbling under as Howard minced towards to the
crease.
Unusually, Howard (21) played a sensible innings and helped Rags in his
attempt to post a half-decent total. Amusingly, Howard was heard by
umpire Goodburn to goad Alexander immediately before the South Bank
bowler destroyed Howard’s middle stump. Always a popular wicket.
The Graveney Skipper (12) stuck around for a while before being caught
at first slip off the devilish spin of Raj. Umpire Bunn has never seen
anyone turn the ball as much (both ways) and Jez did very well to see
him off for a number of overs, even dispatching him to the boundary on
one occasion.
Pradeep (41 not out) had a good day with the bat, occupying the crease
to the end of the match hitting five boundaries including one maximum.
But, in spite of Pradeep’s best efforts, Graveney slumped to a total of
140 all out. Daves French (3) and Chapell (3) and Big Tim Eveleigh (7)
all struggled to get to grips with the bowling of Gant and the
freshly-returned opener, Sibley. Bunny’s golden duck at 11 was, of
course, a cunning ruse to get home in time for the football.
Man of the match:
Raghu
Kankate.
Champagne moment:
Howard
Hamilton.
Obviously feeling he
had played himself in,
Howard challenged the bowler to “give me what
you’ve got Del!”
whereupon he immediately lost his middle stump, much to
everyone’s amusement. |
