Cricket as theatre

Evening cricket fans, I shall begin with an apology, as this match report will be rather brief, rather short on facts, and pretty much a vague recollection at best of a cricket match. Or perhaps that's a mercy. Either way the Mighty Bodley this evening played the OU Engineering dept in our first Jack Cox t20 at Mansfield rd. Fielding an experimental development side we won the toss and batted in gentle sunshine. Shackleton and Milner got a good start but Milner gave a hard chance that was caught well. Shaw then struck a few blows before another sharp chance was snaffled. Engineering were evidently a tidy outfit, well led, and with a bank of decent bowlers (this is a key point). At this point your author walked out a little higher up the order than usual. Impartiality permits only a brief account of what followed. Shackleton moved serenely to 30 and retired, at which point a succession of wickets every few overs saw us about 7 or 8 down at stumps, for (I think) 78 hard fought runs. At the end of all this Bodley's new (and I expect, old) number 4 remained not out, having seen off all the good bowlers. Spectators commented on the boycott-like qualities exhibited. Anyway, moving swiftly on. Our fielding innings was equally engrossing. First ball sent down resulted in 'bowled Shaw, caught Paton'. 0-1 from 0.1. Alec's first bodley catch, excellently taken and held. Another wicket followed shortly after, bowled. Shaw finished with figures of 3-3-3, with 2 maidens. Superb bowling. Shackleton, Marsh and Milner all continued to bowl excellently, keeping the run rate down, and only by the closing quarter of a thoroughly enjoyable game did the (hard done by) closing bowlers get hit for the winning runs. So all in all a good effort by all, and onto the next game. New player Luke sadly pulled a hammy with a stinking good feet first dive on the boundary - hope that heals soon, it was a fine dive though. It was strange to enjoy a loss so much but the opposition were likeable, the evening pleasant and the attitude of all involved just as it should be. The result was not perhaps quite as we'd hoped, but hats off to the better team on the day. We move on to a friendly Sunday match this weekend before another Jack Cox on Thursday next week. places still up for grabs so do get in touch if you fancy a game. Cheers all.  GJ

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