Wednesday xi vs BBC - by Matty

Wait all week for a report, then two come along... here's the perfect opportunity to see how Wick captains, old and young, view the same game!

Wednesday match report v BBC Sport

The BBC Sport CC massive rolled The Wick way last Wednesday to contribute to what was a very fine game of cricket enjoyed by all. The Bushy Park Massive was out in its resplendent glory and the Star upon which our home planet orbits was as bright and hot as it has ever been.

A 40 over game, Sisso promptly called correctly and decided to bat bat bat. A wise choice as he and Amore tucked in to some decent but ultimately harmless bowling. The fielding whilst enthusiastic was hindered by Monty Panesaritis as despite what the name sheet may suggest, the athletic prowess of a number of fielders fell short of the qualifying standard. Amore’s departure was followed closely by the returning McCarthy, who promptly dollied a slow full toss straight back at the bowler. He commented post game that he knew exactly what he wanted to do, it's just his body wasn’t up to the challenge and followed behind thus turning an off drive into an on-swipe. Experience.

Adamson scored a few before the Wednesday specialist Mr Crane joined and brought some hockey prowess to proceedings. He slugged a very powerful 37. Sisso had in the meantime tired somewhat following a typically uncompromising attacking start. He scored just shy of 50.

The Saturday 1s pair of Mackie and Davies were then at the crease, inevitably receiving the sledge from the opposition. Davies decided he was here for a good time, but not necessarily a long time. Having cleared the long on boundary, he then middled another vertically. In contrast Mackie showed all how it should be done. He hudged,(he what? Ed) hussled and at times mowed his way to a classy 50*, ably assisted by Dutchy (playing at Old Paulines… SPIT!), leaving a total of 217-6 from 40 overs.

DBW teas. Well all I will say is I filled my boots.

Sisso had commented on the similarity between this and the 2006 fixture, with the Wick being confident having scored over 200, only to be pegged back by a decent couple of BBC bats, and then once the tail began the game was over, and BBC Sport collapsed to c160. The story was similar this time.

The opening pair were decent. Whinny bowled erratically and they took advantage, whilst Joey’s express pace meant gully and behind square were favourite areas. The score was progressing nicely, before MC and Davies came on to slow things down. Davies started the rot with a lovely Yorker, before MC bowled a beautiful lollipop, which bamboozled the bat and bowling him through the gate. Credit to Joey for some typical sledging as well.

Mackie then had a go and found swing where others had failed, picking up 3 wickets in 4 overs, including a pearler to dismiss the #4 who had some classy shots. Crane also found some decent areas, being rewarded with 2 wickets of his own. Whinny returned towards the end to mop up the tail, and coupled with some run outs, left Joey as the only wicketless bowler, although it's fair to say he bowled with somewhat ‘attacking’ fields.

MOM – Mackie. Excellent innings and 3 wickets.
Prat of match – I would say McCarthey, but he fielded excellently at gully, so I’ll give it to Joey, despite his bowling and diving catch. Harsh but fair.

Wednesday xi vs BBC - by Bobby

It was a beautiful day and the toss was won. It took all of half a millisecond to decide on batting first. I hardly even considered that was a 40 over game and we needed five bowlers...

The old partnership of Sisso and Mooray was reunited and runs flowed... amazingly a number of threes were run and several boundaries struck and 50 was posted in even time. There weren't that many singles funnily enough! It wasn't until the oppo took pace off the ball that Mooray was undone by sweeping to square leg for 28.

McCarthy strode to the wicket and unfortunately struck a full toss back to the same pace-off bowler before he had settled. Adam Crane however was the answer as he bludgeoned Mr Lack of Pace for several brutal fours... much to the skippers relief I might say as was very tired by then on hot day. Drinks were taken after 20 at 97 - 2, so Wick in very fine position. Somebody helpfully put 44 on board for myself, so obviously went down the track first ball after drinks break to get to 50 quickly... 97 - 3! Oops.

Things then didn't go according to plan as Cransey hit to square leg when in twenties, Adamson was stumped after hitting three boundaries and Matty Davies struck a nice three and six and then hit one up in the air... 140 - 6 now of some concern with last week's pratt of the match and Dutchy Holland in residence!

Luckily we had got down to the boys who can run, so all of a sudden the Wick started taking a run a ball, which was simply something none of the experienced players even considered! I am not sure if Cransey is experienced, but he certainly doesn't run!!! Obviously old before his time, or rather he smites it miles instead!!! There were a few run out scares, but Mackie managed a fine 50* abley supported by Mark Holland, who surprised us all in comeback game after four years by still not being able to time the ball... 28* or so though... not bad for a t*sser from Old Paulines..."up the Wick".

218 for BBC to win..

Joe Ewen and Shaun Whinney opened up for the Wick, but despite Joey particularly generating good pace and bounce no breakthrough came. Aware that under trades description act there were only three bowlers in the team a decision was taken to get the spinner on (Collier) and one of the batsmen (so called)... Matty D was the choice. I will dedicate a chapter later to the glove that one of the openers which Dutchy decided to throw "downwards" rather than "upwards" in course of celebration of catch (or not!) Maybe thats how they do it at Old Paulines? Collier settled into a good line and Matty D same... in fact it was Matty D who earned us the breakthrough when opener hit across a straight one. Collier then did for the number three (Sunil), who was beaten by one that was held back... well sledged Joey!!! The other opener however who had also got 50 in previous game still looked good.

After 20 overs BBC still in the game, although at 78 - 2 were 19 behind where Wick were at same stage. It was however time for decisions... should I try and get a wicket by bringing Joey back or should I shuffle the pack and get the batsmen on? I opted for plan B and Cransey was called for... Matty D was tired after 6 overs... then it was last week's POM and this week's jug batsman (Mackie). It looked a good call when Cransey snaffled the nuber four, but then five and one (sounds like a forecast at Wimbledon dogs) tucked, firstly into Collier's last over, had a bit of Crane's and a lot of Mackie... oh dear.

To the cry of "Get in" however Mackie bowled the freeflowing five with a beautiful inswinging yorker more reminiscent of Ryan Sidebottom, Zaheer Khan or R Singh... well done we all said. He then followed up with a beaut that butterfingers Holland snaffled to whip the bails off for stumping and then the "coup de grace" when he repeated ball that got rid of five to nail the very good opener... Zaheer Mackie!!! It was all over and after 32 overs Whinney and Ewen were recalled to finish the job. Saffer Whinney obliged by bowling two of the oppo and then Joe cranked up his pace after we all kindly reminded him that he was the only wicketless bowler. Graham Adamson almost pulled off the catch of the season off Joey, Shaun from PE dropped a skier off Joey... bit of a trend here for our tall wicketless bowler... that will teach him for not bowling at the timber I say!!!!

The last piece of fun was the oppo number 10, who was delighted that we were all winding Joey up as his life insurance wasn't up to date! Never mind, he ran himself out before Joey could finish him off! All out 170ish, Wick win and in bar on time.

Special mention to fantastic fielding by Joey, Matty D, Graham Adamson, Mackie, Tom Mccarthy and the usual crap fielding from the skipper... no change there then!

Man of Match: Mark Mackie
Pratt of Match: Marc Holland. He knows why!!! Welcome back to the Wick Dutchy!

Drunk of the day: Matt Davies. It would have been me, but he refused to drink with me any more as found some bird with name beginning with H better company!!! I had to go home and drink red wine on my own... boo hoo. Thank goodness Mr Culham is back for the next game, which is Stock Exchange.

Spectator of day: AJ (12th man) as not old enough to get into Wick wednesday top order!!!!