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Sat 14 Jul 2012
Saturday 2nd XISinjungramarians
156/5d
104/8
'Spirit of cricket' my A***.
Barry Lineker15 Jul 2012 - 18:15
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The 2's gain a wining draw against Sinjungrammarians, in controversial circumstances.
The 2's turned up at Sandilands to find a very wet square and outfield and after numerous phone calls from the Sinjuns skipper they too turned up saying they just wanted to play cricket and the choice was down to us, the covers were removed to display a damp wicket, returning umpire, Ron Burton felt that the wicket was unplayable but said to the A's skipper "if I wasn't here you would play wouldn't you?" the reply was "of course"' so the toss was made and a start time of 1:45 pm was agreed.
The toss was going to be crucial in this game and unfortunately the Sinjuns skipper called correctly and ACC were asked to bat, openers looked good hitting the 'throws' from the opening bowler to the boundary, when the opening bowlers action was later brought up in the bar the Sinjun players all said "we've seen him throw worse".
Bugs was 1st to go for 6 followed by Craig (13) and Geebo (2) and Rochie (3) with the score on 50 for 4 things weren't looking good, with Polley in his new roll at four and Dan coming in at six they started to push the ball around before Dan (18) chipped one to mid-wicket, with the score on 83-5 Polley was joined by Sam Dennis, they ran well between the wickets and hit the bad balls for 4, the rain got heavier and the umpires signalled for the covers to be put on, the score was now 156-5 off 36 overs, because of the late start both sides had already lost 6 overs each, so the A's could have 49 overs and Sinjuns 39 in return, the decision was taken for the A's to declare and tea was to be taken.
Polley ended on a superb 69 not out and Sam 22 not out.
Because of the rain the re-start was delayed and another 8 overs were lost, so Sinjuns had 44 overs to get the 157 to win or if the A's bowled their overs quick enough a 7:20pm finish.
To get the 20 overs in required to make it a game the decision was taken to open up with Baz Lineker and Nashley with the old ball, then the option was there for Sergeant Starnes and Bonner Smith to have a blast with the new ball.
Baz and Nashley started well, getting through the overs, and taking wickets at regular intervals.
At no stage did the Sinjuns batsmen back up what they said about coming to play cricket, they didn't even make the effort to go for the win, with the score on 68-7 the Sinjuns no 6 hit the ball back down the ground towards the park off Baz's bowling, Sergeant Starnes chased after it and did a great impression of an ice skater trying to stop on ice, the batsmen thought he had stopped because the ball had crossed the rope, but it hadn't, Sergeant threw the ball in and Baz threw it to the keeper, who took the bails off and the Sinjuns batsman was run out! The batsman said he thought the ball had gone for 4, he was told that wasn't the case and he was out, at this stage the Sinjuns umpire came out with the rubbish about 'spirit of the game' and the batsman came back to the wicket where the umpire said "if the skipper appeals I will give you out, but if he doesn't I can't give you out' Baz thought about it and looking at the scoreboard they were 68-7 and there was still an hours play left, decided to back his bowlers to take 3 more wickets in the hour, and with the 'spirit of cricket' ringing in his ears he called the batsman back.
This turned out to be probably the worst decision he has ever made in his cricketing life, because the Sinjuns batsmen blocked the next 17 overs with the loss of one more wicket, ending on 104-8, 20 of them runs came in the last 2 overs.
The words 'spirit of cricket' were said a number of times to the batsmen but they decided that the 1 point was more important!!
On the bright side we were the only team in our league to play so we picked up points on the top team, Woking & Horsell who we play next week in a crucial match, but it could have been so different if we had managed to take the remaining 2 wickets.
Bonner and Sargeant both bowled well without any luck and Baz and Nashley both ended with 4 wickets each but it wasn't enough!
I only hope this decision doesn't affect the chance of the 2's gaining promotion this season!!!
The toss was going to be crucial in this game and unfortunately the Sinjuns skipper called correctly and ACC were asked to bat, openers looked good hitting the 'throws' from the opening bowler to the boundary, when the opening bowlers action was later brought up in the bar the Sinjun players all said "we've seen him throw worse".
Bugs was 1st to go for 6 followed by Craig (13) and Geebo (2) and Rochie (3) with the score on 50 for 4 things weren't looking good, with Polley in his new roll at four and Dan coming in at six they started to push the ball around before Dan (18) chipped one to mid-wicket, with the score on 83-5 Polley was joined by Sam Dennis, they ran well between the wickets and hit the bad balls for 4, the rain got heavier and the umpires signalled for the covers to be put on, the score was now 156-5 off 36 overs, because of the late start both sides had already lost 6 overs each, so the A's could have 49 overs and Sinjuns 39 in return, the decision was taken for the A's to declare and tea was to be taken.
Polley ended on a superb 69 not out and Sam 22 not out.
Because of the rain the re-start was delayed and another 8 overs were lost, so Sinjuns had 44 overs to get the 157 to win or if the A's bowled their overs quick enough a 7:20pm finish.
To get the 20 overs in required to make it a game the decision was taken to open up with Baz Lineker and Nashley with the old ball, then the option was there for Sergeant Starnes and Bonner Smith to have a blast with the new ball.
Baz and Nashley started well, getting through the overs, and taking wickets at regular intervals.
At no stage did the Sinjuns batsmen back up what they said about coming to play cricket, they didn't even make the effort to go for the win, with the score on 68-7 the Sinjuns no 6 hit the ball back down the ground towards the park off Baz's bowling, Sergeant Starnes chased after it and did a great impression of an ice skater trying to stop on ice, the batsmen thought he had stopped because the ball had crossed the rope, but it hadn't, Sergeant threw the ball in and Baz threw it to the keeper, who took the bails off and the Sinjuns batsman was run out! The batsman said he thought the ball had gone for 4, he was told that wasn't the case and he was out, at this stage the Sinjuns umpire came out with the rubbish about 'spirit of the game' and the batsman came back to the wicket where the umpire said "if the skipper appeals I will give you out, but if he doesn't I can't give you out' Baz thought about it and looking at the scoreboard they were 68-7 and there was still an hours play left, decided to back his bowlers to take 3 more wickets in the hour, and with the 'spirit of cricket' ringing in his ears he called the batsman back.
This turned out to be probably the worst decision he has ever made in his cricketing life, because the Sinjuns batsmen blocked the next 17 overs with the loss of one more wicket, ending on 104-8, 20 of them runs came in the last 2 overs.
The words 'spirit of cricket' were said a number of times to the batsmen but they decided that the 1 point was more important!!
On the bright side we were the only team in our league to play so we picked up points on the top team, Woking & Horsell who we play next week in a crucial match, but it could have been so different if we had managed to take the remaining 2 wickets.
Bonner and Sargeant both bowled well without any luck and Baz and Nashley both ended with 4 wickets each but it wasn't enough!
I only hope this decision doesn't affect the chance of the 2's gaining promotion this season!!!
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