Test Match. Day 4.

There were some very tired faces this morning, and wilting bodies. Three days of sport has taken its toll. I decided, therefore, that we would change bowlers very regularly, so that no-one got too tired. We could, potentially, be in the field for two whole days, as Sri Lanka battled to score six hundred runs.

In fact, though, it seems that they were rather daunted by the target we had set.

After our openers had failed to worry the batsmen, our first change, to spin, resulted in a breakthrough, as I deceived Joyewordine with my looping flighted ball, and clean bowled him: 35-2.

Carol took the next wicket: 43-3.

The batting side had completely gone into their shells. Instead of aggressively trying to score the runs they needed, they seemed to be trying to bat out the whole two days, in the hope of a draw. At lunch they had reached just 72-3.

Phil finally got a wicket, when the score had reached 98-4.

After that they lost all hope of saving the match, as wickets steadily fell:

Tom took one in the next over: 99-5 .

Vicus got the next: 108-6.

Tom took another two: 110-8.

I took the last two wickets: 117-10.

We won the match by a magnificent 504 runs!!

Now we’re off for a party.

Test Match. Day 3

We started the day with a stern team talk from our skipper. We stood just one run behind them, with nine wickets in hand, and three whole days still available. Clearly, sensible, defensive batting must be the order of the day, with runs being taken when available, but no rash shots played.

We opened well, Jona achieving her half-century in the first over, but then sadly Lisa, in an overenthusiastic attempt to make a second run, ran herself out.

I arrived at the crease with the score only standing at 88-2. My scores of the world tour meant nothing now, as I have started again as a club player, so I did not realistically expect to do much. I was determined, however, to stand my ground for as long as I could, whilst better players score the runs.

Sadly, Jona was out for 63 soon after, with the score now on 93-3.

Then our own particular Christmas miracle happened. Our batsperson of the year, Frangelita, and I came together, and we were able to play sensibly, on a wicket which appeared to have slowed a bit. At lunch our fourth wicket partnership stood at an amazing unbeaten 180, with me on 95 and Frangelita on 74.

My century came up in the first over after lunch. In the following over, our partnership passed 200. The next over saw Fran get her century too.

Despite being a mere club player, this wicket, and their bowling attack (which was tiring fast) really suited my style of play.

Frangelita was finally out for 106, our partnership having put on a very useful 265 runs. 358-4.

Steg came out very aggressively, and immediately started knocking the old ball around – including a magnificent six. We took our stand to over one hundred, but I was tiring, and eventually edged a catch to the slips, having scored 192. 482-5.

That brought Richard on, and the prospect of another century had brought a glint to his eyes. Sadly he tamely knocked his first ball straight back, and was out caught-and-bowled. Steg was out shortly after, caught going for another six, having scored a very fast 84. I was heard to ask, plaintively, ‘whatever happened to my “let’s bat all day and part of tomorrow” plan?’

Ivy was caught behind, having made 30.

We went in for tea at 546-8, with just our three tail-end bowlers to try to extend our lead further.

Phil fell shortly after tea (the extra portion of curry may not have been a good idea) leaving the score on 558-9, with Tom and Vicus in the middle. I’d told them they had two options – get out, and they would have to open the bowling, and get Sri Lanka out for less than our current lead. Alternatively, they could try to stay in, and give us a better cushion.

They tried for the latter option – and Vicus played a beautiful, graceful cameo innings. Our tail-enders completely frustrated their slower bowlers, and when they took the new ball and brought on the quicker men, with four slips, the ball just shot through the big gaps in the field to the boundary instead.

Vicus managed to score a century, but was then caught and bowled, leaving us all out for a magnificent 693, giving us a lead of 621 runs.

Here is our score-sheet.

Sri Lanka had a tricky four overs to face. Tom managed to take a wicket in the penultimate over, and play ended with them on 17-1, needing another 605 runs to win.

Test Match. Day 2.

Dawn saw a few bleary eyes, but also a magnificent team of athletes, raring for another day’s play.

Unfortunately, they were the Sri Lankan team. BMCC players looked a little more woebegone.

We knew that today could be the crunch part of the match. We must make that early breakthrough, and ideally get the opposition out for less than the 329 we’d scored – or else our second innings was likely to be very hard work indeed.

Unfortunately, our fast bowlers just couldn’t get a wicket, so eventually I asked Jona to try an over of slow bowling – and one kept very low and achieved our first wicket of the day – by which time, though, the score had moved on to 201-3.

The old ball was doing nothing for us at all; in an effort to get through it without tiring out our main bowlers, I allowed the more junior players to make use of it – entirely unsuccessfully - so just before lunch I brought Tom back, and he broke through, with two wickets in two balls, leaving them on 271-5 at the interval.

We took the new ball straight after lunch, but went through the entire next session without a single wicket. They went in for tea on 355-5, 26 runs ahead of us, and with five wickets in hand. There were some very glum faces over the tea table. Many of us couldn’t face eating anything. Even Phil only managed four pies.

And some sandwiches.

And a couple of cakes.

Oh, and some trifle.

We came out after tea determined to break this stand. Eventually I did it, with a tricky, flighted ball, which dipped at the last minute and took his off-stump. My next ball also took a wicket, and suddenly at 396-7 things looked a little more hopeful.

Tom and I wrapped the innings up between us, bowling them out for 401 – a first innings lead to Sri Lanka of 72. Tom achieved a five-fer, as the scoreboard shows.

That left us a tricky nine overs to get through before the close of play. I ordered our batsmen to block as much as possible, and only to play at loose balls. With three more days to get through, a result is certain (weather permitting) and we must use up as many of those hours as we can, in batting.

First, though, we had that deficit of 72 runs to clear up.

By the time the final over came round, we had scored 70 of those runs, without losing a wicket. Sadly in that last over, Merithitheran managed to get Carol to play on.

We ended the day on 71-1, with Jona poised at 49, likely to spend a restless night, wondering whether she would make her half-century in the morning.

Test Match. Day 1.

Well, we got here safely, and with a strictly enforced policy of early to bed and early to rise, the whole team, scorers and supporters were at the ground by 6.30 for a quick nets session before play started. I should explain that I wiped all the experience gained on the world tour, so I start from scratch again as a basic club player – so expect no great things from me this match. The rest of you, however are still all England players (albeit from a couple of years ago).

Our one-off Test Match against Sri Lanka started well, with me winning the toss. I decided we should bat.

The next hour saw us going downhill rapidly, and our number seven (and last of the recognised batsmen) Richard came in with the score on a mere 77-5.

Things changed after that. Richard has obviously been putting in quality time with our new batting coach, Annette Practice, since the summer season ended, and they do say that Practice makes perfect – it certain does in Richard’s case, for he drove and cut magnificently.

Richard and Lisa’s stand took us to 233-5 at lunch, with Richard on 98 and Lisa on 50.

Richards’ century came up shortly after lunch.

Sadly he was run out shortly after that, bringing Phil in to bat opposite Lisa. The newly-engaged couple’s egging each other on to run faster didn’t pay dividends, with Lisa being run out, having reached a splendid 72.

We were well into our tail by this time, but Phil at least made amends for having got Lisa run out, by playing some powerful shots. He was the last man out, by which time, as the score-board shows, we had reached a respectable 329-10.

Vicus and Tom opened our attack, and looked very mean with the new ball – Vicus taking the first wicket, after hitting the batsman on the helmet with a vicious bouncer, and then yorking him next ball.

After that the opposition dug in, and as the shine went from the ball we found it harder and harder to trouble them. I tried out every bowler, just in case the conditions suited someone unusual – but no surprises came our way. Eventually Tom made a breakthrough, once again by hitting his man with one fast ball, and then bowling him with the next.

Sadly that just brought another competent batsman in, and we tolled away without success, as the light faded. At the end of day one, then, Sri Lanka stand at 172-2: 157 runs behind, with eight wickets in hand.

We must hope for an early breakthrough tomorrow.

Now we’re all off for a minor banquet, to celebrate Phil and Lisa’s engagement, and another early night.

Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

Bowler of the Year: Tom, who thundered in as opening bowler at most matches, achieving two five-fers and 27 wickets on the tour.

Batsperson of the Year: Frangelita, who is turning into a very stylish player, scoring 361 runs on tour, including a century.

Fielder of the Year: Richard, for his poised professionalism behind the stumps.

Best supporting player: Ivy, for supporting the rest of the team in both batting and bowling.

Winner of the Golden Pencil, Scorer of the Year: I,LTV.

The award for Services to Tea-making was shared this year, by Ziggi and Jona.

The Ginsters Award, for having eaten the most pies, went to Phil.

Supporter of the Year: for vigorous use of her pom-poms - the Cornish Rambler.

The Ian Botham Memorial Trophy, for All-Rounder of the Year: Dave, for his 1,043 runs and 83 wickets on tour.

World Tour 2007 - Results

Played: 18.

Won: 15

Lost: 3

Highest Score: 743-10

Lowest Score: 18-4

And here are the batting and bowling tables:

WORLD TOUR – Match 18

We arrived in the Netherlands for the last match in our world tour.

Complacent, I have to say, seemed to be your attitude. Having won the toss, and elected to bat, I heard several of you boasting (last week seems to have gone to a few people’s heads) that you would be achieving your best scores of the series here.

Well, their bowling attack wasn’t bad. Only Richard and I managed to get into double figures.

All out for 81 really didn’t impress anyone.

Tea (cheese sandwiches and glasses of beer) seemed to go to some of your heads too. I heard all sorts of claims about your bowling ability – so decided to let each of you have one over, starting with the recognised bowlers, while I plodded in at the other end, tying them up with my spin.

That seemed to work. They could bowl OK, but they certainly aren’t batsmen. All out for 12 was, I suppose I would have to say, not a bad result.

The full result of our tour, batting averages etc will be posted here and at my own site, tomorrow.

WORLD TOUR – Match 17

Well, that was an interesting match. Canada aren’t renowned as world-leaders in the field of cricket, so we expected a fairly easy game. When we arrived at the ground, though, and saw how small it was, I could see several of you practising extravagant strokes – obviously with sixes in mind.

We weren’t disappointed. Most of us who managed to make a start (and didn’t just swing away at the first ball they saw) were well rewarded. The runs certainly flowed. I’d like to pay particular respect to Richard for his long-overdue half-century, and our vice-captain, Frangelita for her century. Both of them scored entirely in boundaries – look at the score-sheet: 124 runs off just 30 balls!

We were all guilty, though, of greediness – in looking for too many sixes. Even I (I’ve only ever hit a six once in real life – my normal selection of shots keeps the ball low) was tempted into the odd aired shot. Seven of us caught out tells its own story. Who knows how much we could have gone on to score, had we just been a little more cautious.

Even so, I believe our total of 743 all out is a club record.

Tea was pleasant. If you like moose fritters, that is.

I think our score completely demoralised the Canadian team – and Tom bowling their opener with the first ball of their innings didn’t help them either.

We fairly quickly ran through them – as usual, I found that tail-end batsmen just don’t know how to play spin, and so Phil and I picked up a few wickets between us.

So, we win again.

Next week we’re off to the Netherlands, for the last match in our world tour.

WORLD TOUR – Match 16

Well, after the last few matches, I suspect we all thought this was going to be a stroll in the park. The USA aren’t, after all, noted for their cricketing prowess.

They won the toss, and elected to bat. I said I’d try to give you all at least one over to bowl at them, provided they lasted that long – and I’d start with those of you who don’t normally bowl.

Call me selfish, if you like, but it’s my game, and I’m captain, so I did reserve the right to take one end as mine from the start, and bowl all my overs in one go. Sadly, you didn’t all get a chance to bowl, as we knocked them over fairly quickly.

I took the last four wickets with the first four balls of my final over. My only slight disappointment is that Carol and Vicus between them managed to stop me getting a ten-wicket haul for the first time in my life. Still, I think 9 wickets for one run (and that was a no-ball) is still probably my lifetime best (so far, anyway).

We had time to play our innings before tea; Phil was urging us to get it over with as soon as possible, as he’d seen the size of the burgers we were having. I had intended to put myself down at number eleven, to give the rest of you a chance to bat, but a slip of the finger put me in at number one instead – so I quite deliberately lifted my bat, and allowed myself to be clean bowled (although even then it took them three balls to do it).

It was not my intention that the rest of our top order batspeople should follow that example – but that’s what happened. Finally, Richard (who has been working hard to improve his batting, I know) came to the crease with Frangelita, and they knocked-off the runs very easily – Fran finishing with a stylish six to win the match for us.

Next week Canada.

WORLD TOUR – Match 15

Not as easy as the summary makes it look. I’ve played Sri Lanka before, and they are very good bowlers, so when they won the toss and elected to bat, I knew we would have to work really hard to keep their score down, to give us any chance of scoring the necessary runs ourselves before they bowled us out.

Fortunately, you all played your part well, no catches were dropped, and they ended up only scoring a measly 17.

We managed to score the 18 runs needed – mainly due to a fine six from Jona – although we did lose a few wickets on the way. Sadly I’ve lost the photo of our score card – but Jona ended on 9 not out and Carol and Frangelita scored 4 each – the other run was a wide.

Next week we’re off to the USA.

WORLD TOUR – Match 14

Pakistan won the toss, and elected to bat. Tom got a couple of early wickets, but they battled on more strongly in the middle order, and eventually put on 73 runs.

Having seen a lot of catches dropped in previous matches, we did have a long session of catching practice before this match. I also moved the field around a lot, putting Fran in at second slip – an inspired choice, it turned out, as her gymnastic ability was displayed to the full as she held three catches. Disappointingly, two were dropped deeper in the field, off my bowling – so once again, I had to resort to getting the bulk of my wickets by bowling men out.

Unfortunately I’ve lost the picture showing our bowling stats. The key figures are: 3 catches for Frangelita; Phil 1-17, Tom 4-14, RealDoc 1-12 and me 4-9.

Tea was, I’m told by the rest of you, very tasty. I had a splitting headache, and really didn’t want to bat.

Perhaps that was a premonition, as it turned out that their two opening bowlers were very, very fast. They tore through our opening batsmen, and it was only when the Doc and I came to the wicket that we managed to put in some solid defensive play, and just block and block (with the occasional swing at a loose ball). As an indication of how tough it was, only one boundary was scored in the whole of our team’s innings – a six which Medusa stole off a no ball.

Anyway, I managed to block them (for 66 balls in total) long enough for some slower bowlers to be brought on, from whom we finally managed to pinch a few runs. They very kindly gave us 33 runs in extras, which made a huge difference, and we just crept home, at 74-7.

Never mind, a win is a win.

Next week we’re off to Sri Lanka.

WORLD TOUR – Match 13

We played Bangladesh, at full International level.

I’d realised, as we arrived in India, that I haven’t used Medusa in the team very much this tour, so I asked her to open the batting, as I suspected the playing conditions might suit her. I think the result justified my decision – she was our top scorer, with 31. Apart from a few starts higher up the order, which we unable to convert into a decent score, we suffered our usual middle-order collapse. A slight fight-back by the tail took us to a grand total of 127 – nowhere near good enough, we all felt.

Tea was a very subdued affair. I’m sorry, I have no idea what I ate. It was ashes in my mouth, as I sat there with my head in my hands – I couldn’t see how we could possible contain an international side to such a low score.

I hadn’t realised what a hard wicket we were playing on, until Tom thundered in, and with his first over dispatched three of their batsmen.

I knew, from having seen their bowlers, that the wicket was also taking spin, so I tried my hand.

Amazingly, Tom and I were all that was needed, as we ripped through them, with a five-fer each. All out for just 18 runs! We win!

Next week’s match, against Pakistan, will, I suspect, be considerably harder.

WORLD TOUR – Match 12

A full international match against India.

They won the toss and elected to bat. Our defensive play was hindered by a terrible display in the field. In all, twelve catches were dropped. Seven of them came off my bowling – I was particularly annoyed by one over, in which I tempted them to hit the ball in the air – the first four flew straight to fielders, and were dropped; the next two flew over the boundary rope, and rather mucked-up my figures.

We all struggled in the heat, but nevertheless, six catches were finally held, and I polished off the tail (being fed-up at seeing so many dropped catches, I bowled them out). We were lucky, frankly, to get them out for as little as 175.

We enjoyed the many dishes we tasted for tea, although I fear some of you may have overdone things.

Our batting, frankly, in the last few weeks has been letting us down. One or two individuals may shine, but the majority surrender their wickets far too readily.

So they bowled us out for 67, and we lost another match.

Next week we play Bangladesh.

WORLD TOUR – Match 11

We arrived in India somewhat subdued after last week’s defeat. Then several key players complained of upset tummies. I persuaded our hosts to delay the international match to next week, and play us at county level this week. With only four players indicating they felt up to batting a long innings, those of us who were still fit really had to stay at the crease as long as we could.

I felt I had no choice but to open the batting (well, it was my birthday) and I did my best to stay in. I’m sorry that I managed such a derisory score before being bowled, particularly as once Frangelita was out (magnificent 85 by the way – well done!) our tail collapsed – it was quite obvious that you felt more comfortable in the pavilion than outside. Fortunately our local player hadn’t been affected by the bug, so Mincat and Lisa managed to see out our 50 overs, and we posted a magnificent total of 411-9.

Most of you hardly touched the tea. I do hope our hosts weren’t offended.

Bowling was going to be a problem. Very few bowlers managed more than one over before having to hurry from the pitch, so short spells were all we could put together.

I bowled straight through my ten overs, being reasonably economical, and knocking-off another five wicket haul. The rest of you did what you could, and we eventually bowled them out for 159, and won.

Next week we shall be playing them at International level, and things will not be so smooth.

WORLD TOUR – Match 10

Unlike last week, this was an International level match against New Zealand.

They won the toss, and decided to bat. The wicket was playing very oddly, and we managed to contain them to a mere 79 all out (with another five wicket haul for me – it could have been more, had not six catches been dropped off my bowling). Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of our full bowling figures. The summary, however, shows that our three best bowlers were me (5-14), Tom (3-7) and Vicus (2-17).

Kiwi soup made an interesting variation at tea-time.

We felt reasonably confident, with a target of just 80 to win.

We soon found that confidence to be misplaced. They skittled us out. Three ducks, three players scoring just one run each, and my miserable 14 being the only double-figure score for our side.

We finished all out for 43, and so leave the Antipodes with a rather mixed record.

Our ship sails tonight for the Indian sub-continent.

WORLD TOUR – Match 9

Having played such a tough series in Australia, I asked our hosts in New Zealand if we could play a county side, for a bit of relaxation. I am concerned that we never manage to bat through our entire allowance of 40 overs, so I did suggest that we try to play ourselves in this time, not go for wild and rash shots.

You may note I’ve been putting myself down the batting order recently, as my reflexes are a bit shot at the moment. Today I decided I’d try opening again – and was moderately successful.

We used up all our 40 overs (I had at least managed to stay in for the entire innings) scoring a magnificent 284-9.

Tea was another inspiring choice by our hosts. It’s amazing what you can do with a kiwi.

With such a decent target to play with, I let you all have one over to bowl, just in case any new stars appeared, and then I concentrated on our main bowlers, particularly giving them a chance to try out a few tricks, like reverse swing.

We skittled them out, eventually, for 75, and so we won – oh, and a hat trick with the last three balls of the match rather rounded off the game for me.

Next week we’ll play them at international level, which I suspect will be somewhat harder.

WORLD TOUR – Match 8

Well, we won the toss, and I decided to bat. They really are a good side, and none of us managed to score freely, but we did manage to knock up a few more runs than last week, finishing all out for 97.

Tea was delightful. Cucumber sandwiches (with the edges cut off) and china cups of tea, followed by fairy cakes. I think our hosts were trying to make a special effort to make us feel at home.

I could see that keeping them, over a whole 40 overs, to below 98 was going to be a real problem - if our bowlers could contain them to just 2 runs an over, we’d win. 2½ runs, however, and we’d lose. I kept a very careful eye on the bowling figures (which you too can see at the foot of this post) and took bowlers off as soon as they started to become expensive.

Fortunately, most of you managed to stick to game-plan, although it was getting very tight towards the end – they had reached 89-4 with four overs still to be bowled, and the match looked lost. Vicus and I bowled three tight overs, however…

…and so we reached the last over of the match, with everything still in the balance. They needed just 4 runs to win. Rather than any of you having to take the blame for allowing them to beat us, I decided to bowl the over myself. 5 dot balls followed. I knew they’d go for a big hit on the last ball of the match – one boundary and they would win - so I set the field back a bit, spun the ball, and allowed it to drift slightly – just enough to catch an edge – the ball flew up…

…straight into Phil’s hands.

And straight out again. Still, they didn’t score a run, and so we won the match (and the 3 match mini-series) by 3 runs!!

And now we pop over to New Zealand, for the next leg of our world tour.

WORLD TOUR – Match 7

Thrashed, is, I think a suitable word to describe this match.

Knowing we were playing the full Australian team at international level, I packed our team with batsmen, to ensure that we would at least get a few runs on the board.

We scored a magnificent 44 – and they kindly gave us an extra 10 in no-balls and wides. Most of our runs came off accidental nicks – their bowling was so fast that the tiniest edge sent the ball flying to the boundary, or (more often) into a fielder’s waiting hands.

Only as the match wore on did I manage to persuade some players to try blocking, or indeed leaving, and wait for an easier ball. As you will see, I (for instance) managed to last 40 balls before being out.

Tea was interesting. Kangaroo sandwiches. I’ll say no more.

It seemed unlikely that we would be able to defend such a low score. I tried out most bowling styles, to see which was having most effect. Spin bowling seemed to be the best option – we were at least beating the bat occasionally, and being reasonably economic. Sadly, in the end, nothing we could do was enough, and with the only smile being raised by my heavily flighted ball drifting very slightly (a new trick, I’ve just learned) and managing to fool an opener into playing outside the line (Richard kindly took this photo of the moment) they cantered past our score.

So, the series stands at 1-1, with the final match being played next week. It will be another international level game, so stand by for a similar result, unless our batsmen spend a lot of time in the nets this week.

WORLD TOUR – Match 6

The first of a three-match series against Australia. This was against a sub-strength team (i.e. we played them at county standard) – the next two will be harder (i.e. full international).

I won the toss and decided to bat. I knew their bowling and fielding would be tough, so Richard and I tried to stay in for as long as we could, without worrying too much about the runs. Sadly, after we were out, the usual collapse followed, only Fran and Medusa getting into double figures.

We ended up with a very modest 101 all out.

Tea was a very pleasant barbie (is that how Australians spell it?).

I was very conscious that the Australians might well bat within themselves, and then, as they would probably have plenty of wickets in hand, go for a real slog at the end; playing a hunch I decided to reserve spin for the end, in the hope that this might surprise and contain them.

Tom did his usual trick of getting a caught and bowled in the first over; thereafter they played more defensively, as I had predicted, with their numbers 2 and 3 between them facing 16 overs before Tom and Doc managed to winkle them out.

Vicus and Mincat bowled reasonably tightly, before Phil and I came on to bowl the last 11 overs (yes, I’d miscounted, so didn’t get my full potential spell of 6 overs). Phil played his part, only costing us 16 runs from his 6 overs, but it was, I have to admit, my bowling which really frustrated them – two runs came off the first over, and then I bowled four maiden overs.

Their annoyance showed towards the end, when they tried to hit me out of the ground, and four of them fell to my crafty slower balls. I was particularly pleased with the wicket of Shane Worde, probably the best spin bowler in the world, who was himself deceived by my spin, out for a duck on his second ball.

In the end we restricted them to just 46-8, and so we won.

We go one up in the three match mini-series. Having three matches, I will be able to ensure that every player in the squad gets at least one game against Australia.

Next week will be harder.

WORLD TOUR – Match 5

Our final match in Africa was against Namibia.

This international level cricket is tough. We won the toss and batted, and saw Richard bowled first ball. I’m sorry Richard, but I’m not sure the experiment of an opening-bat-wicket-keeper has paid off. We’ll give it one more try next week, but if you don’t get at least a half-century, I think we’ll have to consider a move to no. 7.

Mind you, the rest of us did little better, on a very interesting wicket. With Lisa and Steg also bowled for ducks, we had scored an impressive total of just 2 runs for the loss of 3 wickets when I arrived at the crease.

A couple of quick boundaries from me soon multiplied our total by 5, before my wicket too fell.

Fran and Doc made a bit of a stand (10 whole runs) but when Doc’s wicket fell we were standing at a dismal 20-6.

Phil managed to hit the ball twice – but both times the ball ran to the boundary (his 8 runs made him, with me, our top scorers).

We were all out for 35, which seemed an impossibly low target to defend.

Tea was very pleasant. ILTV had brought us some pastries back from France. Vicus seemed quite disappointed to discover the French tarts he’d been promised were in fact filled with apricot.

The wicket had been taking spin quite well, and I thought that we could perhaps stop them scoring too fast by using our slower bowlers, so I decided to open with Phil and myself for the first spell, and review the situation after that.

The wicket did indeed suit my style of bowling, something the Namibians had clearly never met before. At the end of our spell their score stood at a mere 23 runs, but more importantly, they had also lost 8 wickets.

Three of Fran’s slow balls polished-off the tail, and they were all out for 23, and so we won again.

So it’s off to Australasia, for the next leg of our tour.

WORLD TOUR – Match 4

So, a visit to South Africa.

I should explain that, in this version of this game, each bowler can only bowl a maximum of 20% of the total overs in a match – so we always need at least 5 bowlers. Realdoc and I are both all-rounders, but for safety’s sake I usually pick four specialist bowlers too.

However, this time I ran the risk of only picking three, so that two people who didn’t play last time, who are both classed as batspersons, could have a game – and to give us a bit of strength-in-depth on the batting front. For some reason I put Lisa (a batswoman) down at no. 11, where one of our bowlers would normally play – I thought we might need her if we collapsed.

They won the toss, and decided to bat. Tom made a breakthrough fairly early on, after only five runs had been scored. The next pair, however, proved almost impossible to get out. Every bowler we had tried, and failed. I gave Ivy 4 overs, as she’d been complaining of being under-used, but she was no more successful than anyone else.

Eventually I reluctantly decided that I’d have to bowl myself - and two of you dropped catches off my tempting slower off-break. I won’t name names, we’ve all done it. You know who you are. Anyway, it’s your birthday.

Finally, after 105 runs had been scored, I felt I had to lead from the front, and I held a catch off Vicus’ bowling.

We had now reached the stage where their 30 overs were nearly up, and as a result they were slogging the ball all over the place; I decided to keep myself on, and allow them to muck my figures up, rather than embarrass too many of you; finally Ivy held a catch off my bowling, and then in the final over Vicus returned the complement and held another catch. They scored 138-4 off their 30 overs – not an unreasonable target for us to chase, I felt.

Tea was rather sumptuous; ostrich-egg-and-cress sandwiches feature, I recall. Oh, and a special birthday cake for Phil, of course. He seemed to eat most of it.

I was concerned at my own batting ability against their attack. I’ve never been very good against fast bowling (I don’t have the reactions nowadays) and the game faithfully reflects that – you international players are given greater reaction times by the computer. As a result, I decided to drop myself down the order.

As it happens, that decision didn’t help me much, as our openers were skittled out very quickly, and I had to come in, with the score only having reached 15-2. I did my best to stay in, and pushed the score on a bit, but once I was out there was a general collapse, our Vice-Captain being the only other player to reach double figures.

We were on 72-9 – only about halfway to our target – when our final pair (Tom and Lisa) came together. Tom has, in previous tour matches, been out very quickly, but I begged him to block, and stay in, allowing Lisa, who is a recognised batsman, to score.

We were very lucky. They bowled a number of no-balls, which Tom was quick to spot, hitting three of them for 6’s. Bearing those 18 runs in mind, one can see that he did indeed block (or, to be honest, simply miss) a lot of balls – given that he faced in total 40 balls for his score of 24.

Gradually we crept closer to their score – but knowing that one more wicket, and we would be all out. It was very exciting, I can tell you.

When Lisa knocked the ball past the waiting fielder and made the winning run, I punched the air and cheered. We scored 139-9 and won.