Great Missenden Pelicans CC » Sunday 19th July vs Ballinger

Sunday 19th July vs Ballinger

Great Missenden Pelicans 137 (Kunaal Kankate 40, Asad Rehman 35) Ballinger 141-3 (Asad Rehman 2-27)

LOST by 7 wickets

Man of the Match: Suranga

History tells us the Pelicans are never very good starters to the season, unfortunately having dispensed with the start of the season and commenced mid-season it is apparent our mid-season is a bit suspect too.

First game of the year we welcomed Ballinger to the Holy Meadow, looking resplendent due to months of inactivity.

Skip strode out to the wicket and promptly lost the toss, so far so familiar. Then the opposition Skip uttered the words no Pelican skipper likes to hear, “we are a bit young so we will put you into bat” Now what the oppo was saying was blooding new players and could be weak, what Skip heard was young enthusiastic fielders, will have boundless energy. We were doomed.

Every cloud as they say though has a silver lining and today was no exception as the Pelicans welcomed two new players Suranga and Jack, both players on the right side of 40, today would be a day where they would see true Pelican cricket, they would not be disappointed.

Opening for the Pelicans we had our two most devastating bats, Raheel and Asad. Within 5 minutes we had our two most devastating bats Asad and Kunaal. Not the greatest of starts as Raheel was skittled by a 12 year old, but nothing to worry Skip.

As expected Asad and Kunaal went about the Ballinger bowlers with a combination of 4s, a 6 and a single, all was looking rosy in the garden until Asad decided to scoop one back to the Ballanger opening bowler for 35. With the score on 62 for 2 Kunaal was joined by the Pelicans very own rock of Gibraltar, Niron Thou shalt not pass Jeffries.
Unfortunately Kunaal departed a few overs later for 40 and Niron was joined by non other than Nico.

Now under normal circumstances I would be bringing back memories of Bledlow and 29 tortuous runs after 24 overs, but seeing the need for a speedy run rate Nico was like a spring chicken, shouting out the singles. Unfortunately Niron try as he may just couldn’t connect with the ball and waft followed slash followed waft, all followed by a perfectly executed practice shot of what he should have done.

To cut a long story short, Nico went for 2, ever pushing the run rate, Rags went for 4 still pushing the run rate, bringing new Peli Jack out to the wicket.
Niron finally departed on a solid 10, we will forget about the run rate. This meant that Jack was joined by our second Peli debutant Suranga, and our score on not enough.

Jack immediately got into the game with scurrying singles, twos and a four meanwhile Suranga unleashed his own version of hell as sixes rained down on the boundary.
This dynamic duo dragged the Pelicans into the realms of scoring respectability, unfortunately first Jack went on 12, then Amir and then Suranga on 26. Adam was our not out batsman on a lusty 1, but still 137 was not really going to be enough.

It is normal at this stage of the report I write about our tea which is usually a sumptuous affair, this time due to the covid regulations and as advised by Skip tea was to be brought from home by each individual for each individual.

Well where do I start on chicken gate.
Raheel asking for somebody to take over the umpiring with about half an hour to tea looked over at Asad, Skip shouted said request to the Chesham Prince only to be advised that he would take over in about 10 minutes, he then jumped into his car and headed out of the Meadow, Skip looked on but thought nothing of it. After 10 minutes and no Asad Nico took over the umpiring. With the players coming off for tea there was still no sign of Asad. As the teams were warming up still the Prince of Chesham was nowhere to be seen, indeed Skip was informed that the 10 minute departure was infact a drive back to Chesham to pick up a chicken take away. It became apparent from the time it was taking that Asad was indeed rearing said chickens from eggs as the teams made their way out to the wicket with Chicken Asad still rearing his fowl. Skip now realised he now had a wicketkeeper problem as Asad was indeed down for the position. There then followed a comedy act of Jack willing to give it a go until Niron, he of the spring loaded gloves stepped forward and donned the pads.

Words fail me, suffice to say Asad eventually re joined the game.

Toobes meanwhile started his spell from the railway end and Amir from the Nags end.
I wont bore you with the details but these two giants of the bowling world were carted to all four corners of Buckinghamshire, and accounted for more lost balls than Asad could eat chicken dinners.
The bowling was very average, and like two knackered pit ponies Skip took them both off to finish their days in either a glue factory or a Tesco beef pie.
Some semblance of normality returned as the Chesham Prince bowled two of the Ballinger bats and Rags reduced their scoring notably but it was too little too late as the Ballanger opener scored 87 runs not out but dropped 4 times.

The game could only end one way with Jack coming on for the final over and hitting Kunaal’s helmet which was on the ground giving away 5 runs.

All in all very village.
But as I said earlier we have found two new Pelicans who can play.
Next up Winchmore Hill Away, it cant get any worse.

Reports are intended to convey an entertaining picture of the day’s play. No disrespect is meant, but if on occasion we misjudge matters, please take it in the friendly and humorous spirit in which it is intended.

A visit to Middleton Stoney is always a pleasure, particularly for Messrs Greenwood and Fairweather given it’s the one fixture a year with travel time sub 45 minutes, but also because of their beautiful ground and the good folk Middleton Stoney 1st XI are excellent hosts.

Winning a tight game of “which hand is the stone in” was the skip du jour’s only real contribution and gave us the honour of the decision. He then followed his strategy of “What would Toobes not do?” so the Pelis strode out for a bat. Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam would have be proud too, as father and son were our 1&2 with James and Dave looking to open our account. A brief affair sadly with James looking to leave the USO* which pitched on a length on middle-stump which proved fatal, so out came Ajmal to get us motoring. He made a start and got to 12, before being called for a suicidal single by “Pappa Doc” Bailey, and being run out. The opposition sportingly suggested this was a tight call but in such circumstances I am always reminded the view of our clumpire NVDP that the two outcomes are “in” or “out” there is no “nearly out” or “nearly in.” Finger raised and be off with you!

A tight period followed with wickets and a steady dribble of runs, the ground and Middleton Stoney is gorgeous but a lush recently rained on outfield, and pitch size on the generous was always going to result in a reduced run volume. Dr B continued to move on steadily, with one appeal for caught behind declined by the umpire despite some protestations (I’ve checked and the book says not out) partners coming and going, with Josh and JG adding some valuable additions towards the end. Waz ended the innings facing one ball too many, which as it happens was ONLY one ball, so tea was taken.

During this period something of a drama unfolded. Mr Arif failed to notice the wasp taking up temporary residence in his drinks can, and was promptly stung on the top lip. During the break fair to say Ajmal’s lip reached epic proportion and far great than anything a Kardashian might consider. He therefore departed early – for the second time in a day! Thankfully the oppo kindly sported us a fielder however, so our thanks.

Conversation was then had about the fact that 138 may be enough (it wasn’t) and that we had plenty of bowling to give us a chance (we did). Opening was Waz and Nixon who both bowled well, and in Nixon’s case darn quickly if Dr Bailey’s face when he collected the first few into his gloves were to be observed. Dr B had his work cut out for him and manly dove both sides of the stumps for a number of the bowlers. Replacing our openers was Josh and Juelz who both bowled really well with a couple of overs from Josh delivering some absolute seeds. An echoing trickle of runs and wickets to our own effort but sadly runs were achieved whilst wickets remained, which is often the case with three dropped catches. Never mind. Game over.

A bbq and beer after the game with some thoroughly lovely opposition. Onwards.

*Unexpected Straight One

After rain fell throughout the week leaving the pitch looking, and acting, like brown playdoh, a fresh new Pelican skipper walked out to do the toss… and promptly lost. Guess the era isn’t all that different from the last. With Holmer Green looking confidently at the weather they proclaimed they would bowl first, much to the Pelicans disgust, although that disgust turned to gratitude as the clouds opened for the first hour but play continued.

It must be understood that for the first 12 overs, to say the pitch was slow was the understatement of the century, and all the credit must be given to Asad and Ali as they moved the run rate along at a sedate pace, but ultimately setting a VITAL 36 run platform for the first wicket. Ali, unfortunately the titan to fall, walked virtually straight up to the skipper and stated that with the stumping off a wide he had just fallen victim to, he had now completed the full set of stupid dismissals.

With that VITAL… I say again, VITAL 36-run platform set, the Pelis set about proving they were Pelis, and lost four more wickets over the next five overs for a grand total of nine runs. 36-1 had suddenly become 45-5 and the skipper had a very good idea of what Joe Root must have felt for 17 tests. In the middle of the aforementioned collapse, it should be noted that Tony was given out LBW. Before the bowler had even turned around, Niron’s finger was already raised to sky and Tony’s disbelief was complete, especially given the ball was probably closer to hitting his head than the stumps, it was so high. Ah well, we move on.

Jalil and Niron took on the task of rebuilding, with Jalil displaying some of his swashbuckling best and Niron standing vigil, Pelicans began to settle down a bit. Finally, Jalil fell, when he decided to play the exact shot he had been telling everyone else not to. Then Niron, who on his 25^th ball got off the mark, was caught on his 26th. Shame that.

This brought to the crease Hasan and Josh with the score 74-7. They proceeded to take the attack back to bowlers and in the 11 overs they were in the middle together put on 85 runs before Has launched a ball into orbit. He called Josh through with a swagger, “he has no chance” he said, having already been put down by the same man that day. But that man clung on and Has trudged off for a very well made 50.

Felix came out to join Josh for the final 2.1 overs and ran his heart out as Pelis finished on a very respectable 180 – 8.

Tea was a delicious chicken curry with plenty of extras made by Ali, spectacular does not come close to describing how good it was. Shame the Oppo turned it down before they even arrived.

Marching out to bowl, in the absence of Waz, Josh tossed the ball to Harrison, a man known only to Ali…. And maybe his daughter. He apparently hadn’t played cricket since school, not that it showed. A beautiful spell of swing bowling and after the openers walked away from the first 11 overs they had kept Holmer Green to a miserly 33 – 2. Solid start.

Replacing Josh at the bottom was Has, who did as Has does and spun webs for the batters, but this time to little reward. His partner in crime, however, was the young 16-year-old Felix Harris, this was the man who really stole the show. Fearing where the ball would go, Josh packed the leg side and Felix dutifully put 7 overs of metronomic bowling on middle and leg. Our very own Chris Woakes took 3 wickets in a brilliant of spell of control either side of drinks, never letting the Oppo get away from him. Now, to say that Pelis fielding can sometimes be hopeless would be putting it kindly. Catch after catch after catch went down, but still the bowlers soldiered on and finally the ball found, incredibly, James, who when he held on, lifted his arms to the sky and ran around screaming.

Drinks came and the Holmer were sat on 75, Pelis were on top, but skip knew that things could get away from them at any moment. Time for Niron. Four overs of tantalizing medium pace left Holmer wondering how they were ever going to get another run. These fears only increased when Ajmal and Asad came on to really apply the pressure. 12 overs and a sensational bit of Felix fielding later (honestly this guy had a day to be proud of) and the Oppo were dragging themselves into the last over 160 – 9, needing 20 to tie. Cometh the hour, Cometh the Harrison. Our opening bowler of magical hair came on and cleaned up the opposing skipper and victory was complete. An all-round wonderful day.