After a longer than usual lay-off, for some two matches on successive days may have been excessive; for others, an opportunity to demonstrate their lockdown physique in a public arena. the skipper demonstrated his newly acquired skills by winning the toss and, as it looked like a “win the toss, bat first, make loads, knock them off” sort of baked hard pitch he immediately set that process in train. Unfortunately, as train go, it was more the little engine who couldn’t as the self-same skipper (that would be your correspondent folks) got a duo of balls that proved unplayable and started us off with 1-1. Things continued as they had begun. There were highlights; Simon Pearce, back after an absence once again demonstrated he has one shot, but it is a great one, a cover drive earning him 13 of our precious runs, as the cattle watch from behind wire Fahim Kawsar dug in like a tick and played straight, late and stubborn while about him partners came and went (although he may have been involved in a run out along the way), finally being joined by Liam Wallman for some classical no 11 biffing. Ultimately their 31* and 11 respectively failed to add too much respectability to a rusty looking 104 all out.
After socially distant, but nonetheless wonderfully chatty tea the Casuals embarked on the defence (after all, at Newton strange things often happen). On this occasion, though Newton failed to oblige with the strange; the opposition batted calmly and sensibly (rotten spoilsports, what?) as they used 25 of their 30 overs making our target in safety. The bowlers bowled economically in the face of this obstinate sensibleness and figures of 1-15 (off 6) for Ryan Kelsall and 2-20 (6) for the superb return of Tim Little show the restraint of the opposition and their ability to spurn the whiles of Martin Baker, Kumar Venigalla and Liam and edge to victory was only interrupted by Burberry’s allowing himself to be bowled when the scores were as good as level. On the subject of bowled it is worth noting that all of Newton’s three wickets and seven of the first eight of Camden’s’ were all bowled, from which I will leave you to draw your own conclusions…….
As is always the case, the day ended satisfactorily, outside The Queen’s Head, enjoying their excellent beer, the excellent company (at a distance I should stress, for any stickler) of Newton CC and from Camden tales of youth (increasingly, and tragically our lot; we really do need to perform some more immediate acts of heroism/stupidity/hilarity/awe/wonder/confusion/derision…..). Hopefully, we’ll be able to arrange a “return”, although possible on Newton and maybe in September, in this odd season, I, for one, don’t feel like stopping anywhere near as early as we usually have to!
Full Scorecard: https://camden.play-cricket.com/website/results/4494614
David Mitchell