Mad bowlers and batsmen

The hottest day of the year so far greeted us for our second-ever fixture against Palm Tree. Last year's game had seen us hanging on for a draw, so we were wary of our opponents.

Smiler lost the toss and, surprisingly given the 30°C temperature, we were batting.

In the absence of Andy Vernon, running late because he was cooking at a family barbeque lunch, I was opening with the skipper.

I proceeded to the changing room to find veteran Sundown bowler Dave Cattell strapping on his pads and moaning about having to fill the unpopular number three berth.

But Verno (suitably refuelled) turned up and offered to bat at three. A relieved Cat removed his pads quicker than he goes through wives.

Smiler and your correspondent got us off to a good start. We raced the total to 74 when I fell on 49 (including 11 fours) trying to put a full toss for another boundary, caught well at cover by Russell (more of he later).

Andy V continued the plunder, and the skipper began to open up his shot repertoire. V scored a hitherto unheard of seven off the aforementioned Russell… a safe three exagerrated by a manic overthrown four by the hapless Currie. Russell was rightly displeased.

Palm Tree introduced spin in the form of Tossell in to the attack. This helped their incredibly slow over rate which was of 1980s West Indian proportions (less than 15 an hour).

Tossell's bowling produced the next exciting moment of the game. Andy pulled a full toss of his to leg and Wood at midwicket took a good diving catch. I was umpiring at the bowler's end and stood waiting for V to disappear to the pavilion. I hadn't realised that the "Cat" umpiring at square leg had called a no ball for height.

A small debate resulted and, credit to Verno, he took the law into his own hands and walked. It seems the law on whether the square leg umpire can call a no ball for dangerous bowling is not so clear (see the Laws). Debate raged on after the game whether Andy should have been out.

Young Luke Vassey replaced V, fresh from his week off digging for archaeological treasures.

Smiler progressed past the 50 mark - again. However, this included two fives and, following Andy's seven, showed Palm Tree was losing the plot in the field somewhat.

One of Smiler's fives was particularly galling for the watching Sundown players. He lobbed the ball gently to square leg (Wood?), who dropped simplest of chances, only to then hurl the ball wildly to the midwicket boundary as Mick sauntered down for the single. Smiler was riding "Lady Luck" yet again.

All this proved too much for the hapless bowler Russell, who having suffered the earlier seven, lashed out at the stumps in anger, attaching a few choice swear words - just in case anyone was in any doubt over his feelings.

Vassey was next man out for 10, which unleashed Mick McGowan on the Palm Tree attack. Mick's 44 not out was littered with great shots - but the straight six will stick in most memories.

We declared on 236 for five with our only other victim being the "unlucky" Mark Naisbitt. Jani contributed a careful nine to the unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 53.

Andy V, still full from his barbeque, skipped tea, resulting in a plentiful supply being left for the bar after the game.

Palm Tree's innings was dominated by one man - Jay Bhatt. He plundered our bowling while the other end (namely Wood) struggled to score. It was obvious that one wicket would give us a good chance.

This led to the comedy (or painful) moment (depending on where you were stood) of the day. Bhatt's partner Wood called for a single. Your correspondent swooped at midwicket and, seeing Bhatt well out of his ground, shied at the stumps.

Unfortunately skipper Smiler occupied the space between ball and wicket and he ducked straight into the throw, resulting in a cartoon slapstick sound emitting from the crown of his head. This was accompanied with the immortal line "f***king hell Tony".

Bhatt remained.

In fact, he remained for some time. He completed a century which all, apart from the "Cat", seemed to appreciate - "Slogger".

Dom came back for a second spell and removed Bhatt for 106 trying to launch a straight one, effectively putting our total beyond Palm Tree. This was Dom's 300th victim for Sundown Specials.

In congratualting Dom, the "Cat" generously commented: "Live by the slog, die by the slog."

Some spirited hitting from the 15-year-old Ahmed gave them brief hope. Their innings eventually closed on 207 for six.

In amongst those six wickets was a brace for Paul Ferdenzi. His jubilation at being on a hat-trick however was a bit too much for the young-at-heart medium pacer, as he delivered a wide chasing the bowler's holy grail.

The friendly oppo happily stayed to while away a couple of hours in the Woodside Bar after the game.

On to the days winners and losers;

The Winners:
Smiler - another 50 (but a sore head - sorry mate!)

Bhatt - 106 fine runs for Palm Tree

The Losers:
Smiler's head

Russell - his fielders let him down badly on the overthrows and wickets fronts

Next week we entertain Washington, and await their line up of wandering talents from south of the equator.