Derwent Globe Trotters 24/07/21

The corresponding fixture last year was the first since Covid had stopped cricket altogether and was rained off! This year, overnight rain fell after a blisteringly hot week, followed by a rain shower at 12:15 that caused the start to be delayed to give the pitch time to dry.  The Wanderers were put into bat by Fred on a pitch that favoured batting second.  It was only the second over when the ball sped off Big Dog’s pad down to third man.  A combination of the LBW appeal, hesitation and lack of calling left David (1) a foot out as the ball broke the stumps.  Big Dog and Tommy set about maintaining momentum in tricky conditions despite the obvious chirping from the fielding team at Tommy.  Big Dog was caught bringing Tom to partner Tommy.  Tom (29) punished some half-trackers with some fierce pulling including a big six towards the pavilion, until he was unfortunate to glove the ball down leg-side and walked.  Skipper got off the mark third ball with a six to long-on and followed it up with a four to the same part of the ground.  He then hit a no-ball six (2 bounces) to long-on and square-leg (head high). Tommy fell to Marsh again who seems to have a mental hold over him.  Another six from the Skipper (43) peppered the thatched-roof house before Fred got him trying to force the pace to a straight delivery.  By now Hassan was finding his rhythm and it was Stuart who was caught out next for no score.  James (on debut) starting smashing balls all around the ground and hit his 20 from 5 overs.  Hassan (23) was eventually bowled after anchoring the late order leaving Mike M and Luke to see out the innings. 164-8 from 35 overs.

Tea was provided by Simon and Carol which was most welcome before the task of taking the DGT wickets began.  Luke opened the bowling down the slope and got the first ball to lift off a length, hitting the top of the handle, and the catch floated up to Big Dog at slip for the opening wicket.  A similar event happened when the big hitting Marsh edged to slip, this time Big Dog had to dive to his right and couldn’t hold on.  At the other end David was finding a good line and length bowling up the hill and it was David that claimed the key wicket when Marsh got a leading edge to a low full-toss that floated up nicely to Tom at mid-on.  In his next over he got an LBW decision which was probably correct given nothing much had bounced high at this end.  Stuart replaced Luke (1-18 from 4) from the top of the hill and he got a wicket when a drive went towards Tom at mid-off.  Tom leisurely came in and then dived one handed to his left.  By this stage PW was in the attack looking to claim the wicket of Fred, who seemed to have difficulty deciding whether to come forward or play back.  At one point PW delivered a leg-spinning delivery that missed Fred’s leg stump by a hair’s breadth.  Cries of “did you really score 200 on this ground” could be heard!  As black clouds started to gather around the ground, the decisive moment came.  PW flighted a delivery on off-stump that turned with Goss darting down the wicket.  Skipper had the bails off and the finger was raised – just as the heavens opened.  Within minutes the pitch was underwater and it was clear that there wouldn’t be any more cricket.  Had that last ball been a scoring shot, DGT would have won on D/L.  However, the wicket meant that the Wanderers won by 20 runs under D/L.  It was a shame to finish this way, especially as cheque-book Tommy didn’t get a chance to bowl at Fred.

MOM: Simon

Catch of the day: Tom diving at mid-off

Quote of the day: As Hassan stopped a rocket at point with his calf, Big Dog cried “Did I miss the fielding masterclass from David?”