mattfb
Chairman of Selectors
Great start mate. Nice to see you get a 2 first ball. Nice strike rate there 
Great graphics and a really good read.
Great graphics and a really good read.
Story Three Lions on the Shirt? - Match Day: Northamptonshire fight back!!!
- Thread starter Highlander999
- Start date
Highlander999
ICC President
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
- Location
- London
Just to get it on the next page. Thanks for commenting Matt, it means a lot 
Thursday 22nd March: Facing my First Ball
So there I was. Standing in the middle with Martin at the non strikers end. My team were in a lot of trouble with the top order collapsing. However that didn't bother me. What I was concerned about was just getting my first runs in professional cricket and try and avoid a duck. I was facing the left-armer Kevin Dean who had caused all sorts of trouble with his in-swing to the right-hander. His started his run. As he got closer I got more and more nervous he released the ball......
it looked full. It was. I shuffled around and clipped it of my legs for two runs.
So I had opened my account. That was a massive weight of my shoulders. I began to grow in confidence and started to rotate the strike with Martin. I was now facing Lungley. He gave me a slightly over pitched delivery, I attempted to drive it and made perfect connection with it. It went all the way to the rope. My first ever boundary for Kent :happy
Things just seemed to get better for Martin and I. He looked to be in excellent touch with some really agressive shots over the fielders. I however was nurdling it around taking one's and two's. The Derbyshire bowling attack seemed to be becoming more disorganised. They looked ragged. They started to bowl a few no-balls which meant "free hits" :happy. The first one was to Martin. He didn't time it though and we only got a single. The second one was for me. I tried to go over the top and skied it to a fielder who dropped it but it didn't matter. That was a waste, but it was worth a go.
The partnership however between myself and Martin looked to be in full swing. They just could not dislodge us. There were a few close calls, and I nearly ran Martin out but he managed to get back in time :o. I also nicked one of Dean, but Di Venuto had removed all the slips so it ran down to third man. Derbyshire were becoming annoyed at our resistance and not only that we were dramatically increasing the run-rate. Eventually we reached the 50 partnership. We met in the middle:
"Well done Tom. You have batted like someone with a lot of experience"
"Cheers Martin. You've had some nice shots as well."
Yeah we are doing well. We both need to convert our starts into half-centuries. Keep it up Tom."
OK Martin. Let's get 'em"
So the 50 partnership had been reached and we had taken the score to 126/5 of 23 overs. Things were looking bright. We still had 23 overs to go and we definetly had a chance of posting a big score. The scoreboard kept on ticking over. We were both nearing our half-centuries. In an attempt Di Venuto brought on the left-arm spinner Botha to slow down the run-rate. He did cause a bit of trouble to begin with for me, with a few swing and misses by me. Eventually I managed to get of strike and Martin was facing now. He tried to play across the line, missed and was adjudged LBW. He had to go on 42. He was not pleased. I had thought he was hit outside the line. That meant my new partner was Darren Stevens. This guy has a lot of potential and I feel he could play for England one day soon.
So I had to rebuild the partnership with Darren. He started of with some very nice shots which got him a couple of boundaries. Meanwhile I was closing on my 50. Could I make this milestone in my first ever game. I was on 49 of 44 balls. I was really excited, not that nervous which surprised me.
Can I make my First 50?
Thursday 22nd March: Facing my First Ball
So there I was. Standing in the middle with Martin at the non strikers end. My team were in a lot of trouble with the top order collapsing. However that didn't bother me. What I was concerned about was just getting my first runs in professional cricket and try and avoid a duck. I was facing the left-armer Kevin Dean who had caused all sorts of trouble with his in-swing to the right-hander. His started his run. As he got closer I got more and more nervous he released the ball......
it looked full. It was. I shuffled around and clipped it of my legs for two runs.
So I had opened my account. That was a massive weight of my shoulders. I began to grow in confidence and started to rotate the strike with Martin. I was now facing Lungley. He gave me a slightly over pitched delivery, I attempted to drive it and made perfect connection with it. It went all the way to the rope. My first ever boundary for Kent :happy
Things just seemed to get better for Martin and I. He looked to be in excellent touch with some really agressive shots over the fielders. I however was nurdling it around taking one's and two's. The Derbyshire bowling attack seemed to be becoming more disorganised. They looked ragged. They started to bowl a few no-balls which meant "free hits" :happy. The first one was to Martin. He didn't time it though and we only got a single. The second one was for me. I tried to go over the top and skied it to a fielder who dropped it but it didn't matter. That was a waste, but it was worth a go.
The partnership however between myself and Martin looked to be in full swing. They just could not dislodge us. There were a few close calls, and I nearly ran Martin out but he managed to get back in time :o. I also nicked one of Dean, but Di Venuto had removed all the slips so it ran down to third man. Derbyshire were becoming annoyed at our resistance and not only that we were dramatically increasing the run-rate. Eventually we reached the 50 partnership. We met in the middle:
"Well done Tom. You have batted like someone with a lot of experience"
"Cheers Martin. You've had some nice shots as well."
Yeah we are doing well. We both need to convert our starts into half-centuries. Keep it up Tom."
OK Martin. Let's get 'em"
So the 50 partnership had been reached and we had taken the score to 126/5 of 23 overs. Things were looking bright. We still had 23 overs to go and we definetly had a chance of posting a big score. The scoreboard kept on ticking over. We were both nearing our half-centuries. In an attempt Di Venuto brought on the left-arm spinner Botha to slow down the run-rate. He did cause a bit of trouble to begin with for me, with a few swing and misses by me. Eventually I managed to get of strike and Martin was facing now. He tried to play across the line, missed and was adjudged LBW. He had to go on 42. He was not pleased. I had thought he was hit outside the line. That meant my new partner was Darren Stevens. This guy has a lot of potential and I feel he could play for England one day soon.
So I had to rebuild the partnership with Darren. He started of with some very nice shots which got him a couple of boundaries. Meanwhile I was closing on my 50. Could I make this milestone in my first ever game. I was on 49 of 44 balls. I was really excited, not that nervous which surprised me.
Can I make my First 50?
GrayNicolls
School Cricketer
Yeah, so he could get it on the next page, so people don't have to keep looking back when commenting.
Good presentation, mate. Bit of an odd collapse, but good luck.
Pakistani Army
Panel of Selectors
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2006
- Location
- Sheffield, England
- Online Cricket Games Owned
- Don Bradman Cricket 14 - PS3
Great works Tom. Keep up the great works. I think that you will make 70 runs before getting out though. Nice debut so far.
Jaztheman
Chairman of Selectors
Nice debut so far as Arslaan said and the pres is great. Hope you get a double ton at least! 
Yeah, so he could get it on the next page, so people don't have to keep looking back when commenting.
Good presentation, mate. Bit of an odd collapse, but good luck.
Oh, its just its on the same page for me
Highlander999
ICC President
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
- Location
- London
Thursday 22nd March
So there I was. On 49 not out on the verge of my half-century. I really wanted to make this milestone and cement my place in the team plus help beat Derbyshire. Lungley started his run. I was so confident that I saw the moment he released it that it was too short. I rocked back into my crease and just punched it back past him. I quickly jogged through, grounded my bat in the crease. I had done in it. I raised my bat to the pavillion and then to the small contingent of Kent fans who had travelled to watch the match (I think I saw Kev) Darren came down and shook my hand, and then much to my surprise so did Di Venuto
"Watching you bat so far, I think you can go far and I hope you can play for England one day."
"Thanks Michael. I appreciate that"
That was a really great moment for me reaching my first 50. I realised now that I was in strong contention for Man of the Match. Man of the Match on my debut would be the icing on the cake.
The partnership between myself and Darren began to grow quite a bit now. Things did however go wrong for me as I neared 60. Darren called me through for a quick single. I was a bit slow on my feet and had to scarper. The throw came in but was a bit wild and hit me right in the ribs. I went flying. The physio came out and exclaimed when he saw the bruise. I asked for a runner and Matty came out as I was feeling a bit stiff. Moss came over and apologised to me. What a friendly game cricket is.
I think that blow affected me as I was beginning to hurt quite a bit from it and was having trouble swinging the bat. Friend capitalised on this when he bounced the ball in and I was to slow in trying to hook it. I ended up top edging it and losing all the distance on the shot. Botha got himself underneath it and took a comfortable catch. I was out for 61 with Kent now on 192/7. I was a bit gutted to have got out at this point, but I wanted to get some ice on my ribs. I was hoping I would be able to bowl. I received a large round of applause as I walked of which cheered me up.
As I arrived in the pavillion everyone shook my hand and I was congratulated on my great debut knock. I got out in the 34th over so there were still 10 overs which Darren had to bat with the tail. If we could last we were definetly in the position to score at least 225 which would be a good total. Cooky was out there batting and he can bat, and would normally be at eight except for us playing two all-rounders today.
However Cooky quickly perished of the bowling of Lungley, for only 1, when he spooned back a slower ball straight into his hands. We had a bit of a joke around back in the pavillion.
"I did that on purpose. I knew you had got the runs so I didn't see the point in me making a big score."
"Ok, I'll let you make the half-century next time and save me the hassle."
"Nah, your alright. I would much rather see you doing it. Well done Tom."
We now had Martin Saggers at the crease the retired England player, not famous for his batting skills. However he hit 2 crunching four's to take his score to 9*. We were very impressed. The score was now 220/8 of just 40 overs. With still 5 overs to go we could now make 250 which we hoped would easily be enough. With Darren there as well, if he could rotate the strike it could be a very nice finish to our innings.
Eventually Martin perished when he tried to go big again, and mis-timed it and was caught. However his 12 of 20 balls had provided much needed support. Meanwhile Darren's score was rocketing he was now in the mid-thrities, but was batting with Sheriy, who we all joke around and say is worse than Monty Panesar. He made us cheer though when he slog sept Botha for 4. Darren was now in the fourties. The big question was, could he make his half-century.
Unfortunately the answer was he couldn't. Although he hit a six in the last over he could only reach 47 not out. Sheriy managed to survive the last few balls. So we finished on 268/9 of 45 overs. That was a terrific score. Surely Derbyshire couldn't reach that total.
Once again the TV was on and an embarrising photo of me appeared on the screen as I listened to David Lloyd say how well I had batted and comment how I would be one to watch out for the future. My wagon wheel came up with a number of other stats. It really did show how strong I was behind square. 61 of 62 was a very nice strike rate as well. I like my averages now
So we had posted a very competitive score. I suddenly realised how hungry I was and was now looking forward to my favourite lunch of a jacket potato with prawns. I felt in such a good mood at that moment. My mates were at work or uni and I was playing cricket. :happy Life was good
So there I was. On 49 not out on the verge of my half-century. I really wanted to make this milestone and cement my place in the team plus help beat Derbyshire. Lungley started his run. I was so confident that I saw the moment he released it that it was too short. I rocked back into my crease and just punched it back past him. I quickly jogged through, grounded my bat in the crease. I had done in it. I raised my bat to the pavillion and then to the small contingent of Kent fans who had travelled to watch the match (I think I saw Kev
) Darren came down and shook my hand, and then much to my surprise so did Di Venuto"Watching you bat so far, I think you can go far and I hope you can play for England one day."
"Thanks Michael. I appreciate that"
That was a really great moment for me reaching my first 50. I realised now that I was in strong contention for Man of the Match. Man of the Match on my debut would be the icing on the cake.
The partnership between myself and Darren began to grow quite a bit now. Things did however go wrong for me as I neared 60. Darren called me through for a quick single. I was a bit slow on my feet and had to scarper. The throw came in but was a bit wild and hit me right in the ribs. I went flying. The physio came out and exclaimed when he saw the bruise. I asked for a runner and Matty came out as I was feeling a bit stiff. Moss came over and apologised to me. What a friendly game cricket is.
I think that blow affected me as I was beginning to hurt quite a bit from it and was having trouble swinging the bat. Friend capitalised on this when he bounced the ball in and I was to slow in trying to hook it. I ended up top edging it and losing all the distance on the shot. Botha got himself underneath it and took a comfortable catch. I was out for 61 with Kent now on 192/7. I was a bit gutted to have got out at this point, but I wanted to get some ice on my ribs. I was hoping I would be able to bowl. I received a large round of applause as I walked of which cheered me up.
As I arrived in the pavillion everyone shook my hand and I was congratulated on my great debut knock. I got out in the 34th over so there were still 10 overs which Darren had to bat with the tail. If we could last we were definetly in the position to score at least 225 which would be a good total. Cooky was out there batting and he can bat, and would normally be at eight except for us playing two all-rounders today.
However Cooky quickly perished of the bowling of Lungley, for only 1, when he spooned back a slower ball straight into his hands. We had a bit of a joke around back in the pavillion.
"I did that on purpose. I knew you had got the runs so I didn't see the point in me making a big score."
"Ok, I'll let you make the half-century next time and save me the hassle."
"Nah, your alright. I would much rather see you doing it. Well done Tom."
We now had Martin Saggers at the crease the retired England player, not famous for his batting skills. However he hit 2 crunching four's to take his score to 9*. We were very impressed. The score was now 220/8 of just 40 overs. With still 5 overs to go we could now make 250 which we hoped would easily be enough. With Darren there as well, if he could rotate the strike it could be a very nice finish to our innings.
Eventually Martin perished when he tried to go big again, and mis-timed it and was caught. However his 12 of 20 balls had provided much needed support. Meanwhile Darren's score was rocketing he was now in the mid-thrities, but was batting with Sheriy, who we all joke around and say is worse than Monty Panesar. He made us cheer though when he slog sept Botha for 4. Darren was now in the fourties. The big question was, could he make his half-century.
Unfortunately the answer was he couldn't. Although he hit a six in the last over he could only reach 47 not out. Sheriy managed to survive the last few balls. So we finished on 268/9 of 45 overs. That was a terrific score. Surely Derbyshire couldn't reach that total.
Once again the TV was on and an embarrising photo of me appeared on the screen as I listened to David Lloyd say how well I had batted and comment how I would be one to watch out for the future. My wagon wheel came up with a number of other stats. It really did show how strong I was behind square. 61 of 62 was a very nice strike rate as well. I like my averages now
So we had posted a very competitive score. I suddenly realised how hungry I was and was now looking forward to my favourite lunch of a jacket potato with prawns. I felt in such a good mood at that moment. My mates were at work or uni and I was playing cricket. :happy Life was good
LUMB_YORKSHIRE
Club Cricketer
well done with the runs there and Kent should win this game with the lack of quality derbyshire have with their batters good work
H0wZ4T!
Club Cricketer
OH NO!
He scored a 50 on debut, what's next? England?
Jokes, well played mate.
He scored a 50 on debut, what's next? England?
Jokes, well played mate.
mattfb
Chairman of Selectors
Nice work. Very well played for your 50 Kents in a good position here.
Really good read once again.
Kents in a good position here.Really good read once again.
freddiw
Panel of Selectors
solid knock what a start....good luck
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