10TH OF May 2015
Report by LP, Pob in italics.
The proprietor of the famous coaching alehouse the Dog and Pheasant put up bunting alongside the south side of the cricket ground to celebrate VE Day and we were delighted to be at one of the most picturesque grounds in the country
Dan Wren, Brook’s captain inserted us and their bowlers, a mix of young and old, including a Zimbabian and two Pakistanis, struggled manfully against our new opening pair AOB and Immy Arbee, who previously played for both Marlow Park, whom we play, and Marlow CC. Immy lives in Maida Vale and plays a lot of T20 Big Bash cricket and he soon showed his ABV style strokeplay, mainly high and straight. He was caught in the deep for 46 at 76-1.
The breezy Alex Collier played the same way as Immy before the elder Oakes bowled him for 35. AOB was scoring a run an over while partnering these hitters but when they departed he accelerated to take the total past 100. On came another of POB’s new signings – Ed Tate who has played most of his cricket in Northamptonshire before moving to Kennington. His first two shots were straight drives for 4 and in his next over he struck two colossal straight sixes over the high trees protecting the resplendent £2m mansion once owned by a famous vocalist. With his dark sunglasses and cap, Ed looks rather like Alastair Cook, but hits the ball a lot harder
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On 52 AOB was controversially given out lbw with the score at 164-3.
Richie Shipisa, the Zimbabwian, was having a wonderful conversation with our square leg umpire. Apparently he was born in the same hospital in Harare where our Richard Buxton was born – an amazing coincidence. He had Immy’s friend Simon Gorringe caught for a duck and quickly bowled POB for 4. Immy and Simon are friends from their school days at Wellington College, Berkshire.
The declaration came on 204-5 after 35 overs with Mike Meakers thwarted on 3*. John Hamilton, During the break, we learned that deposed Pakistan President Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Zardari paid £10m for the 350 acre Rockwood Estate near the ground ten years ago. It included an airfield and a hanger, and also a bomb proof bedroom. Bhutto was assassinated in 2007 and the next owners advertised “sex parties for open minded, wonderful people.” The property is now for sale at £10m.
Sibisa went out with Hamilton and he tried to outdo our Immy and Tate combo, taking 11 off the first over bowled by “Cousin Dave.” In his next over, the overjoyed bowler hit the off stump with Sibisa on 16. Dan Wren swung across the line from another lowish delivery from Dave which hit the pad and was given out lbw. Right after, he had Oakes the Younger caught by AOB (27-3) and to avoid a rout, POB took him off.
Meakers, weakened by playing tennis in the morning at one of Surrey’s smartest tennis players, bowled tidily, conceding 18 in his five overs
Potty tips one over the bar
Ed Tate bowls fastish offbreaks and he removed Serrano, caught by POB, and bowled Prynne the Younger in successive deliveries. The hat trick ball sailed down the legside. Hamilton was tickling along and survived what appeared to be a stonewall lbw – turned down sympathetically by Gavin who was taking time out at the middle after his family duties. Ed followed up by bowling the troublesome Ward, 21, and was asked to sit it out after his damaging spell of 5-2-7-3.
The becalmed Hamilton tried to emulate Tate’s hitting and found himself exasperatingly caught and bowled by Alex Collier (4-1-4-1) for 26. At 63-6 POB eased off the brake and brought on Ade Potter’s mix and match medium pace (4-0-15-0) and his own variable mixed attempted spin (3-0-13-0). Neil Runkel bowled a bit flatter than usual(8-4-19-0).
Ade has now bought a property in Petersfield, helped by the cash he picked up for betting on an overall Conservative win at 17-1. “I should have put much more money on it,” he said. Brook were holding out at 94-6 when at last AOB was called up and with his second delivery he sent the off stump back of Prynne the Elder with an outstanding arm ball – the one that bends in.
The ‘Brook Specialist’ Meakers was a whizz on the electronic scoreboard
With overs running out, it was time to bring back the Çousin and he bowled a full toss to Oakes the Elder who hit it back at Richard’girlde’ Buxton’s head at short extra cover. The Girdle turned his head as he tried to avoid it and collapsed to the ground holding an ear….he made a quick recovery. “I could hear bells ringing in my head,” he said. At noon bells were singing all over the country as part of the VE celebrations. Richard, who hadn’t batted or bowled, must have subconciously volunteered to join in the nation’s bell ringing!
At the start of the last over, we needed one wicket still and Cousin David had 4 wickets….the 4th ball struck Oakes on the toe and deflected into the stumps to scenes of wild jubilation.
n the pub afterwards when both teams sat outside to admire the red, white and blue bunting, Dave bought several jugs of ale, His figures of 8.4-1-32-5 on a lifeless, low bounce pitch were remarkable but he did let go some bummers, wides, long hops and a beamer. But he’s a real entertainer!
Another great day of village cricket and a WW start to the season. Well done lads and great to welcome two great lads, Simon ‘Gringo’ Gorringe and Ed ‘Taters’ Tate….on to Hogs.