Great Missenden Pelicans CC » Sunday 23rd August vs Widmer End

Sunday 23rd August vs Widmer End

Great Missenden Pelicans 204 (Asad Rehman 99) Widmer End 149 (Raghu Kankate 4-28)

WON by 55 runs

With the season looking somewhat depressing the Pelican scorebook wasnt doing anything to lighten the gloom, something needed to happen and at Widmer End, that something did.

Reclaiming his number one position Raheel joined Asad to set a solid foundation, surprisingly a solid foundation was indeed laid as the Pelicans first wicket fell for 105 after 25 overs, Raheel being the unfortunate victim of a particularly well taken catch for 29.

With the solid foundation laid it was there for the Pelicans to feast on the bowling and build a temple of ivory and gold. Unfortunately, our walls appeared to be a little more wattle and daub as wicket fell after wicket.

First one-armed Amir departed for 1 swiftly followed by Iceman who departed for less. The one bright ray was watching Asad take it to the WE bowling ably supported by Josh who announced his intent with a single then a six and finished with a single and a six on 26. Fast and furious was the order of the day as the runs shot up to 165.

Thili entered the fields with the look of demons and in no time swatted the WE bowlers for a couple of singles and a fours before even he departed, BUT he would play a larger part later.

With Rupert also deciding a cameo performance was what was needed, Asad either getting bored or somewhat frustrated finally sent a dolly to one of the WE fielders and he too departed unfortunately with his score on 99. With the truculence of a moody teenager he announced to the team “don’t care”……..class.

With Rags hitting a quick 7 Suranga was next up and with only one purpose in his mind came to the wicket and departed on 11, one more than Thili.

Tiger and Toobes brought up the rear and finished the score on 204. A very respectable total.

Tea was unbelievably similar to the other weeks and in no time the Pelicans were bowling.

First up was the Pelicans very own Chuckle brothers, Josh taking on the Barry Chuckle persona and Toobes the Paul.
Unbelievably and I can’t believe I am saying this the opening spell was very tight with only 25 runs coming off the first 10 overs. Things were looking good until Joshie collapsed in a high-pitched heap clutching the back of his leg, as I said more Barry Chuckle.

With the run chase looking a little less certain Toobes unleashed Rags and Suranga. The mean bowling continued but this time with the addition of some wickets.

It is here we give a special mention to Josh who unable to stand was adopting his Friday night position……….on his knees. There was general disgust on the face of the Skipper at this display and indeed Skip was ready to give him a right telling off for such a girly fielding position when he held on to a fantastic catch in first slip off Rags bowling unbebloodylievable Skip shut his mouth and congratulated accordingly.

Rags though like a circling white shark had the taste of blood and the other WE opener was soon bowled and the number 3 bat LBWd.

Suranga meanwhile not content on just bowling took his first wicket a catch by Mr Reliable Tiger.

Suranga finished his spell on a fantastic 8 over for 23 and one wicket, as Skip decided to call the changes and bring Thili into the action….. and what action.

Thili had explained that it had been some time since he last bowled but who cares we were not going to lose the game, it was about getting the WE bats out. All I will say and it will be mentioned no more, Thili was in danger of seriously damaging his toes with his bowling…………..that’s it, no more, except he was replaced after two very very very long overs by Mr Reliable El Tigre who it is fair to say bowled very well and whose 5 over spell yielded only 26 runs as the WE went chasing the ball.

Rags meanwhile was not finished as another WE bat was caught out by the surgeon like precision of his bowling. Eventually he to dried up and was eventually put out to grass after a magnificent and game changing 10 overs 4 for 28, quite fantastic.

With the WE bats starting to think of a rear-guard defence apart from their number 5 who continued larruping the ball everywhere Asad was brought into action and immediately bowled said number 5 batsman, this was followed by a quick LBW, things were looking up.

It was time to turn to a bit of one-armed wonder, and with Rags medically giving the all clear, Amir was in for a 2 over cameo spell……and what a spell. Let me just say 2 overs 2 wickets 2 runs.

At this point for added gravity I have started a new paragraph to give Josh the room needed to describe his catch at first slip on his ahem….knees.

Diving full stretch to his right like a demented dwarf on speed Josh took a catch Ben Stokes would have been proud of and Stuart Broad would have wide eyed him. Unbelievable again.

Meanwhile back to the Prince himself, well he finished the last man, bowled. I thank you.

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.