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
Sunday 7th April
"Come on boys. Let's get some wickets."
The team were fired up as we jogged out onto the ground. The sky now looked ominously black and you could feel the rian in the air. I really wanted a chance to get revenge on Gloucestershire for the first innings. I felt I could get some really quick wickets on sheer adrenalin. However the first over belonged to the senior player, Andy. He was pacing his run up out, when all of a sudden a drop of rain landed on my cheek. Uh oh, I thought, this doesn't look good. Andy slowly looked upwards and then the rain began to fall even more heavily. The umpires looked at each other and nodded. They signalled for the covers to be brought on.
"Damn it. I really wanted a crack at 'em!"
Andy replied,
"Well your just going to have to wait. Just keep yourself loose just in case we come back out."
However play did not look at all likely. It was 2:15 and the rain looked to be here for a long time. We switched on the BBC and went on to Teletext Weather. According to them the rain would be here for the rest of the day.
For the next two hours we spent our time playing cards and I taught Cooky how to play chess. It was bloody boring, we all wanted to get out there and have a crack at the Gloucester batsmen and I was sure they were thinking the same. We eventually took an early tea at 4, with the spirit at the table light hearted. We analysed our first innings during that tea. We went through everyone's dismissal. We arrived at me.
Graham started speaking,
"Right Tom. You had made a good start to your innings. You had hit some good shots and I think with you it was just a simple matter of losing your concentration. Look at your footwork. Oh wait you can't. That is because there wasn't any. I'm pretty sure you have noticed a lot more concentration is required in First Class cricket then in One-Dayers. This is a mind thing you have to work on and nothing technical, which is good. Now Andy..."
The coach moved on. It was some useful advice. I could blame the pitch but it wouldn't help me improve. I would need to talk to one of our sports psych's.
Eventually at 4:30 the rain stopped. The umpires came up and said that from their pitch inspection they estimated play could resume at about 5' O clock. The dressing room transformed into a hive of activity. Myself and Andy started doing some rigorous stretching trying to warm up our cold muscles. The team started speaking a lot louder and you could almost taste the atmosphere in the air. We wanted to get out there. Eventually 5' O Clock Arrived.
Andy did not need to measure his run up again and so he waited patiently while Weston at the other end, settled himself down. We all cheered Andy on trying to boost him. His first four deliveries were all left alone
His fifth one got a wicket
:happy
A yorker by Andy, it swung right into Weston striking him on the foot. We all went up. Even from second slip I could see it was out. Weston was walking before the umpire even raised his finger. We were all running around celebrating, cheering and hugging Andy. It was the perfect start. Not a run scored and Gloucestershire had lost their first wicket. The final ball was a dot ball.
It was now my turn....
I measured my run-up and Andy at mid-on came over and gave me a few words of advice,
"These are excellent bowling conditions so use them to good effect. A good line and length is all you need and you'll find lots of wickets come to you."
My first two balls went for singles bringing Windows on strike. I had been slightly full so decided to bowl this one a bit shorter, on a good length. As it pitched it looked a bit wide. Windows already had begun to leave it. The ball however was not going on a straight line. It seamed massively, nipping right back in, striking Windows on the pad. Everyone in the slip cordon, plus myself went up. it looked a bit high and the umpire stood there for some time. Eventually he slowly raised his finger
:happy:happy:happy:happy:happy
Yes, this was the perfect start. The score was 2/2. Once again everyone came running in. I was lifted clean up into the air, by my cheering team. This was a great feeling to experince, and I felt truly happy.
With the team fired up and myself and Andy looking to be on fire, the balance of power had swung strongly towards Kent. We had to capitalise on this and make sure we picked up some more wickets. There was still 50 minues before the end of the day so hopefully the rain and bad light would stay away. This looked like it could be an exciting 50 minutes
"Come on boys. Let's get some wickets."
The team were fired up as we jogged out onto the ground. The sky now looked ominously black and you could feel the rian in the air. I really wanted a chance to get revenge on Gloucestershire for the first innings. I felt I could get some really quick wickets on sheer adrenalin. However the first over belonged to the senior player, Andy. He was pacing his run up out, when all of a sudden a drop of rain landed on my cheek. Uh oh, I thought, this doesn't look good. Andy slowly looked upwards and then the rain began to fall even more heavily. The umpires looked at each other and nodded. They signalled for the covers to be brought on.
"Damn it. I really wanted a crack at 'em!"
Andy replied,
"Well your just going to have to wait. Just keep yourself loose just in case we come back out."
However play did not look at all likely. It was 2:15 and the rain looked to be here for a long time. We switched on the BBC and went on to Teletext Weather. According to them the rain would be here for the rest of the day.
For the next two hours we spent our time playing cards and I taught Cooky how to play chess. It was bloody boring, we all wanted to get out there and have a crack at the Gloucester batsmen and I was sure they were thinking the same. We eventually took an early tea at 4, with the spirit at the table light hearted. We analysed our first innings during that tea. We went through everyone's dismissal. We arrived at me.
We look at my dismissal (animated)
Graham started speaking,
"Right Tom. You had made a good start to your innings. You had hit some good shots and I think with you it was just a simple matter of losing your concentration. Look at your footwork. Oh wait you can't. That is because there wasn't any. I'm pretty sure you have noticed a lot more concentration is required in First Class cricket then in One-Dayers. This is a mind thing you have to work on and nothing technical, which is good. Now Andy..."
The coach moved on. It was some useful advice. I could blame the pitch but it wouldn't help me improve. I would need to talk to one of our sports psych's.
Eventually at 4:30 the rain stopped. The umpires came up and said that from their pitch inspection they estimated play could resume at about 5' O clock. The dressing room transformed into a hive of activity. Myself and Andy started doing some rigorous stretching trying to warm up our cold muscles. The team started speaking a lot louder and you could almost taste the atmosphere in the air. We wanted to get out there. Eventually 5' O Clock Arrived.
Andy did not need to measure his run up again and so he waited patiently while Weston at the other end, settled himself down. We all cheered Andy on trying to boost him. His first four deliveries were all left alone
His fifth one got a wicket :happy
A yorker by Andy, it swung right into Weston striking him on the foot. We all went up. Even from second slip I could see it was out. Weston was walking before the umpire even raised his finger. We were all running around celebrating, cheering and hugging Andy. It was the perfect start. Not a run scored and Gloucestershire had lost their first wicket. The final ball was a dot ball.
It was now my turn....
I measured my run-up and Andy at mid-on came over and gave me a few words of advice,
"These are excellent bowling conditions so use them to good effect. A good line and length is all you need and you'll find lots of wickets come to you."
My first two balls went for singles bringing Windows on strike. I had been slightly full so decided to bowl this one a bit shorter, on a good length. As it pitched it looked a bit wide. Windows already had begun to leave it. The ball however was not going on a straight line. It seamed massively, nipping right back in, striking Windows on the pad. Everyone in the slip cordon, plus myself went up. it looked a bit high and the umpire stood there for some time. Eventually he slowly raised his finger
:happy:happy:happy:happy:happy
Yes, this was the perfect start. The score was 2/2. Once again everyone came running in. I was lifted clean up into the air, by my cheering team. This was a great feeling to experince, and I felt truly happy.
Animated dismissal of Windows
With the team fired up and myself and Andy looking to be on fire, the balance of power had swung strongly towards Kent. We had to capitalise on this and make sure we picked up some more wickets. There was still 50 minues before the end of the day so hopefully the rain and bad light would stay away. This looked like it could be an exciting 50 minutes
tonka998
Club Cricketer
Great start there! 2/2 is fantastic - lets hope u can get them ojut for underu104! That wuld be brilliant! Gr8 updates as always 
freddiw
Panel of Selectors
awesome work good to see you TRULY happy
Karachi Xpress
Chairman of Selectors
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2005
- Location
- Canada
Awesome bowling! That was a stupid leave:laugh
Great presentation yet again
Great presentation yet again
, keep the work up and take a few more
jarl
International Captain
Great start to the innings, hopefully you can keep it going..
Highlander999
ICC President
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
- Location
- London
Sunday 7th April
Chandana and Spearman were the two batsmen facing us now. Spearman had looked quite confident so far and had arguably been the batsman in the best form today. Chandana was new to the crease replacing Windows and was the strongest batsman in the Gloucester team. We would need his wicket. Myself, Andy, Jimmy and David had a little chat while Chandana walked out. David told us his plan:
"Ok guys. The plan is this. Andy you are going to bowl six overs and then be replaced by Jimmy who will bowl out till the end of the day in tandem with Tom. This is a crucial stage and I want one of these wickets before the end of the day. You got it?"
We all nodded. So there was a lot of resposibilty on my shoulders. I would be bowling till 6' O clock. It would be tiring but I was up for it.
Chandana proved how dangerous he was. I had been fired up after getting the early wicket of Windows and really wanted to add another International scalp to my name. Chandana no longer played for Sri Lanka but he was still a force to be reckoned with, and I learnt this at my expense. Two crushing boundaries brought me firmly back to earth. An overpitched delivery was beautifully driven back past me. The next ball was shorter and he rocked back and crashed it over square leg's head for four. It was a big shock for me. The final ball of the over he grabbed a single to keep him on strike. That had been a painful over and I did not plan on repeating it again. I now knew to treat him with respect. His wicket would be hard work to get.
However all that worry was for nothing as the old war horse, Andy, came through for us. Chandana had been looking to attack Andy as well. Andy is not easily intimidated and got the better of him when he got a ball to seam back slightly and hit Chandana plum in front. We all went up and Chandana was given his marching orders by the umpire.
"That's the stuff Andy!!!"
We all went running in and once again were celebrating. We had got the danger-man out for 9 and Gloucestershire were now 35/3. What a start we had made. We had a really good chance of bowling them out for a score in two figures. Taylor, the wicket-keeper was the new batsman. A decent player but I privately doubted he would be up for these conditions. Andy had now finished his spell. He had figures of 6 - 3 - 14 - 2. Bloody good in my opinion. I really did look up to him
I was soon bowling to Taylor he had yet to get of the mark. I was intrigued at this point. I was wondering what a really short ball would do on this pitch. Would it still comfortably carry over the batsman, would it hit him or would it just roll along the ground and make me look a fool? I decided I would try it out and see what happened.
It worked :happy
It bounced and Taylor started to duck. However there was not enough bounce on it. It rattled him on the helmet and then to my shock and I'm pretty sure everyone else's, the ball deflected onto the stumps. There was stunned silence and then Cooky cheered. This broke the silence and everyone started cheering. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or not. It had been a strange dismissal but a wicket was a wicket and this was my second one. David came running in:
"Terrific stuff Tom. That was a risk but it payed of. The sign of a truly good player."
I was so happy. I was making a big impact with the new ball and you never know, I might get given the vhance again when Martin returned? Gloucestershire were now 44/4 and Taylor was heading back with a great big 0 next to his name. Spearman was still out there and we would need his wicket soon.
David was still fiddling around with the slip cordon. We had, had a couple of edges but they had always seemed to miss the fielders. From 2 gully's and 3 slip's, we went to 1 gully and 4 slips. A big mistake. I managed to lure the danger-man, Spearman to edge a ball seaming away. My hands went up expectantly.
But no
It flew into the vacant gap. Gutted would summarise how I felt then. If I had got that wicket, I would have had a real chance for a fifer. Andy came over and patted me on the back
"It's the curse of us bowlers. The fielders are never where you want them. You'll get used to it with age."
I just had to grit my teeth and get on with the job now, although it was very annoying.
It had got to me however and I became a bit eratic. As the clock counted down towards the end of the day, I began to get more and more frustrated. Spearman was hogging the strike and was scoring plenty of runs. I could just not find an answer to him. Jimmy was keeping it tight at the other end but I really wanted to make a breakthrough. In my last over of the day, nothing spectacular happened. It was an ordinary over and I knew it. The team were gutted for me as they knew I deserved more than two wickets but cricket can be like that sometimes. Could Jimmy do something in his last over?
YES HE COULD
5 very solid dot balls meant that he was filled with confidence. Spearman had to only survive one more delivery. But a moment of madness gripped him. He stupidly tried to sweep Jimmy but on a pitch where there is little bounce the ball bounced strangely and caught the underside of his bat, knocking back his pegs!!! :happy
This WAS the wicket we wanted. As the two batsmen trudged of, we all stayed out there cheering, hugging and high-fiving Jimmy. We could not believe he had got a wicket with the last ball of the day. Gloucestershire ended the day on 48/5 still trailing us by 56 runs. I can tell you one thing. No one had thought this possible. Tomorrow Adshead and Hancock would have to bat really well.
Overall my figures were 7 - 1 - 21 - 2. I was really pleased with them, but it should have been 3 wickets. But I was being slightly selfish. The team were in an excellent position and everyone had put in the work and reaped something out of it. We all headed of to the hotel to celebrate and enjoy our expensive meals. I would be buying Andy his pint as he had got the first wicket but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Dinner this evening would be very enjoyable.
Chandana and Spearman were the two batsmen facing us now. Spearman had looked quite confident so far and had arguably been the batsman in the best form today. Chandana was new to the crease replacing Windows and was the strongest batsman in the Gloucester team. We would need his wicket. Myself, Andy, Jimmy and David had a little chat while Chandana walked out. David told us his plan:
"Ok guys. The plan is this. Andy you are going to bowl six overs and then be replaced by Jimmy who will bowl out till the end of the day in tandem with Tom. This is a crucial stage and I want one of these wickets before the end of the day. You got it?"
We all nodded. So there was a lot of resposibilty on my shoulders. I would be bowling till 6' O clock. It would be tiring but I was up for it.
Chandana proved how dangerous he was. I had been fired up after getting the early wicket of Windows and really wanted to add another International scalp to my name. Chandana no longer played for Sri Lanka but he was still a force to be reckoned with, and I learnt this at my expense. Two crushing boundaries brought me firmly back to earth. An overpitched delivery was beautifully driven back past me. The next ball was shorter and he rocked back and crashed it over square leg's head for four. It was a big shock for me. The final ball of the over he grabbed a single to keep him on strike. That had been a painful over and I did not plan on repeating it again. I now knew to treat him with respect. His wicket would be hard work to get.
A tricky customer
However all that worry was for nothing as the old war horse, Andy, came through for us. Chandana had been looking to attack Andy as well. Andy is not easily intimidated and got the better of him when he got a ball to seam back slightly and hit Chandana plum in front. We all went up and Chandana was given his marching orders by the umpire.
"That's the stuff Andy!!!"
We all went running in and once again were celebrating. We had got the danger-man out for 9 and Gloucestershire were now 35/3. What a start we had made. We had a really good chance of bowling them out for a score in two figures. Taylor, the wicket-keeper was the new batsman. A decent player but I privately doubted he would be up for these conditions. Andy had now finished his spell. He had figures of 6 - 3 - 14 - 2. Bloody good in my opinion. I really did look up to him
Two early wickets for Andy
I was soon bowling to Taylor he had yet to get of the mark. I was intrigued at this point. I was wondering what a really short ball would do on this pitch. Would it still comfortably carry over the batsman, would it hit him or would it just roll along the ground and make me look a fool? I decided I would try it out and see what happened.
It worked :happy
It bounced and Taylor started to duck. However there was not enough bounce on it. It rattled him on the helmet and then to my shock and I'm pretty sure everyone else's, the ball deflected onto the stumps. There was stunned silence and then Cooky cheered. This broke the silence and everyone started cheering. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or not. It had been a strange dismissal but a wicket was a wicket and this was my second one. David came running in:
"Terrific stuff Tom. That was a risk but it payed of. The sign of a truly good player."
I was so happy. I was making a big impact with the new ball and you never know, I might get given the vhance again when Martin returned?
Gloucestershire were now 44/4 and Taylor was heading back with a great big 0 next to his name. Spearman was still out there and we would need his wicket soon.Animated dismissal of Taylor
David was still fiddling around with the slip cordon. We had, had a couple of edges but they had always seemed to miss the fielders. From 2 gully's and 3 slip's, we went to 1 gully and 4 slips. A big mistake. I managed to lure the danger-man, Spearman to edge a ball seaming away. My hands went up expectantly.
But no
It flew into the vacant gap. Gutted would summarise how I felt then. If I had got that wicket, I would have had a real chance for a fifer. Andy came over and patted me on the back
"It's the curse of us bowlers. The fielders are never where you want them. You'll get used to it with age."
I just had to grit my teeth and get on with the job now, although it was very annoying.
Almost my third wicket (animated)
It had got to me however and I became a bit eratic. As the clock counted down towards the end of the day, I began to get more and more frustrated. Spearman was hogging the strike and was scoring plenty of runs. I could just not find an answer to him. Jimmy was keeping it tight at the other end but I really wanted to make a breakthrough. In my last over of the day, nothing spectacular happened. It was an ordinary over and I knew it. The team were gutted for me as they knew I deserved more than two wickets but cricket can be like that sometimes. Could Jimmy do something in his last over?
YES HE COULD
5 very solid dot balls meant that he was filled with confidence. Spearman had to only survive one more delivery. But a moment of madness gripped him. He stupidly tried to sweep Jimmy but on a pitch where there is little bounce the ball bounced strangely and caught the underside of his bat, knocking back his pegs!!! :happy
This WAS the wicket we wanted. As the two batsmen trudged of, we all stayed out there cheering, hugging and high-fiving Jimmy. We could not believe he had got a wicket with the last ball of the day. Gloucestershire ended the day on 48/5 still trailing us by 56 runs. I can tell you one thing. No one had thought this possible. Tomorrow Adshead and Hancock would have to bat really well.
Overall my figures were 7 - 1 - 21 - 2. I was really pleased with them, but it should have been 3 wickets. But I was being slightly selfish. The team were in an excellent position and everyone had put in the work and reaped something out of it. We all headed of to the hotel to celebrate and enjoy our expensive meals. I would be buying Andy his pint as he had got the first wicket but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Dinner this evening would be very enjoyable.
treva
ICC Chairman
Very low scoring game here, but Gloucestershire in the driving seat I reckon. Need to take these wickets and restrict them to a maximum of 120. Good start for yourself, and with two batsmen not yet off the mark, you could make early inroads tomorrow...
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