Sundown Specials

Palm Tree wilts in the sun

The sun was shining, the birds were singing and all in all it was a great day for cricket when the Specials took on a short-manned Palm Tree side hoping to avenge their previous defeat at the opposition's home ground. The goodness was not to last long however, as 'Smiler' lost the toss again making it a 100% losing streak for James's entire cricketing career with the Specials, although he would later claim that Chip had won it rather than he had lost it.

This initial disappointment notwithstanding, the Specials took to the field in sweltering conditions eager to get on top of Chip and Russell. Dave and Dom took the attack to the opposition with five maidens in the first ten overs and it seemed all that the Palm Tree openers could do to keep the ball from hitting their stumps.

Suddenly, the ball had beaten the bat of a creeping Russell and the lightning hands of Mick McGowan had removed the bails precipitating a resounding appeal from all and sundry: Mark Naisbett at mid-wicket was well-placed to judge the appeal out, Dave Catell at the bowlers end was adamant that he was a foot outside the popping crease, the man at deep fine-leg was assured that the batsmen hadn't a chance yet the umpire through some malign element in his nature gave his cold and callous verdict - not out.

Some of the Specials were less than happy and tempers frayed and words were exchanged and some duly noted of the square-leg umpire: 'that prick isn't even looking'. James came on to bowl with a few well-chosen words of encouragement from a magnanimous Mr Naisbett, 'let's get these wankers out'.

It was not long before our erstwhile captain Smiler came into the attack tempting the now infamous Chip Hamer to drive the ball over extra-cover for what would 'definitely' have been a straight six (information provided courtesy of Chip Hamer) if only it wasn't plucked out the sky by Dom.

Finally, the first wicket had fallen after 25 Overs and the chips were down for Palm Tree. Dom, now showing off, took another catch off the invariable bowling of the Cat, sending Russell back to the pavilion for 45. The pressure began to pile on Palm Tree but at 76 - 2 there was still a lot of cricket left to be played and as Chip treated us all to the monotonous knocking-in of his bat we dug in.

Dave continued his faultless bowling with a beautiful delivery in the corridor of uncertainty and Hemsley, fishing outside his off stump, caught a nick sending the ball to Andy V at first slip who, like so many times before, took it hard and fast on his back, just the way he likes it. It was then judged time to bring back some of the demon pace of Dom whose accuracy and speed had the Palm Tree batsmen tied down. Swish went the ball, swipe went the batsman, a snick and a catch by Mick. That was the fourth wicket and Palm Tree were beginning to bow.

Soon after, an off-form Bhattacharjee calmly drove the ball straight to Luke at cover only to then call 'yes' and doom an unfortunate Lambie to a very short innings as Luke bent down, picked up and fired the ball in before Lambie got half-way down the crease, sending him back to the pavilion for 3. Dave took care of the last two wickets ending up taking five wickets in just five and a half overs.

V and Tony opened the batting and cruised at a rate of knots towards our total scoring 33 runs in the first 10 overs in stark contrast to Palm Tree who managed just 14 off 10 overs. Tony briskly reached an immaculate fifty and looked in fine fettle. We were 82 - 0 and the smell of victory was filling the air.

At this point however, V, who was fighting a loosing battle with his own sweat as it poured inexorably into his eyes, lazily stroked the ball to mid-off and decided to run; up went the finger and Tony, stitched up like a kipper, was heading back to the club house. Cedric - our Sri Lankan international - was in next.

Soon after, Andy was bowled for 18, Paul F. was stumped and Cedric was caught behind. Our victory began to seem ever more elusive as this sudden collapse ensued and Smiler, his throat constricting and shooting pains developing along his arms, was skipping along the boundary, frothing. 'Calm down,' Dom counselled. 'I can't calm down' replied Smiler, 'all we need is 1s and 2s. I can't understand why they don't hit it in to the spaces'.

James was in next with Smiler's advice ringing in his ears. At this point Chip made a fateful decision as he changed his bowlers. Russell, whose run-up seemed to have been on loan from the Ministry of Silly Walks, was taken off and the leisurely action of Tossell replaced him. It was just the one Tossell playing for Palm Tree whereas in previous years there had been a pair of Tossells.

Anyway, this Tossell was unfortunately unable to contribute toss all as his first ball to James was pitched up and smacked - 6 runs thank-you very much. Next ball, smack - 6 runs again and Sir Gary Sobers's 6 sixes record was under threat. However, a simple 4 off the third ball and Gary could rest easy.

To cut a long story short Mick crashed and banged and walloped fours and sixes to ease the burden on Smiler and get a cool 40 runs not out. James graciously got himself bowled to let Smiler face a few balls, finish the game and claim a good victory.

As the sun went down over Woodside Park, Palm Tree withered in the changing room, but something sweet rang true for the Specials; could it have been the sweet, sweet taste of victory or maybe it was just the beer sliding down our throats, either way it was nice to be there after a good game of cricket. As the platitudinous Boycott would no doubt have said, "the winner today were cricket" - just as it should be.

Winners
Specials C.C.; Dave C. (no surprise) -16.3 overs for 35 runs taking 5 wickets; Tony - solid 50

Losers
PTCC; Chip Hamer (no reason)