6-for!!

So today sees the start of the cricket season for a lot of clubs and we are no different here at South North. Our season doesn’t actually start until 30^th April however we have two pre season games planned, today against York CC and next Sunday against Boldon CC / Durham Academy.

York were kind enough to host us today and it was good to be able to get outside and play some cricket as our outdoor nets have been unavailable this year due to ground renovations.

Our captain won the toss and against the wish of the other ten players decided to bowl first on what was probably the hottest day of the year so far. I don’t really look forward to pre season games very much, mainly because I am often so unorganised in terms of my kit. My boots had been squashed in the bottom of my bag for 6 months and were rock hard, couple this with the fact I had forgotten my newly purchased cricket socks and had to wear crusty old ones I had found stuffed inside my boot, blisters were definitely on the cards.

As per usual I was made to bowl at the worst end possible, running up the hill and in to the wind, this is something that you have to get used to when you open the bowling with a certain Mr Humble. When Humble gave his hat to the umpire and informed him he would be bowling at that end the umpire actually had the ordacity to ask what his name was. The look on Humby’s face was priceless. Said umpire obviously never watches Sky Sports News.

On a personal note the first few over’s came out well. I managed to put the opening batsmen on the floor with a bumper first ball, which I found very amusing, and then snick him off two balls later. The next batsmen didn’t last long either, being caught at fine leg from another bouncer. I came back for a second spell near the end of the inning and picked up another 4 wickets finishing with 6 for. Two of my wickets where slightly more pleasing than the others as the victims were ex University team mates who, having not seen them for a year, immediately started hammering me for writing this blog.

I was hoping to be able to write a little about Tom Pringles innings but it only lasted two balls so he didn’t give me much to write about. Woodsy put up a little bit more resistance, punching two attempted Yorkers back past me for four prompting me to adopt a more aggressive approach by going around the wicket and pitching everything in my half. He eventually succumbed, splicing an attempted hook straight up to the keeper. I think on reflection the two lads need to ‘play with freedom’ Hurrggh.

York finished with 203 and we eventually knocked it off with 3 wickets to spare. It was a good run out for both teams with everyone getting a decent opportunity to perform their disciplines. The game was played in decent spirit although lacked the intensity of a competitive match in my opinion. One thing that became evident to most of the lads is that 50 over’s is a hell of a long time to field. Most hit the wall at about 30 and from then on the fielding was a little indifferent to say the least, something that needs to be addressed before the start of our league campaign, especially when I’m bowling.

Now that the cricket has eventually finished the lads can start doing some pre season bonding, the original purpose of our trip to York. Although half of the team has decided not to stay down for the night the rest of the lads are sure to have a good one