What a perfect day for cricket. A long summers day in July. Temperatures pushing the high 20s, and a trip to Div 1 strugglers Billingborough. It would have been a perfect day, had the Baston side not been boasting an average age of 46, with 7 over 50s, and only about 2 mobile fielders. There were 3 late additions to the Baston side; Timberland legend IAN MICKELBURGH had been waiting patiently by the phone for 4 years in the hope his favourite man Ben might ask him to play. Peter Coulson made the long trip, boasting just one shoulder, but three knees. Tim Dyer took a break from his new hobby of upskirting for the afternoon and made his first appearance since 2019.
Peter showing off his extra knee
About the only consistent part of the Baston season has been Ben losing the toss, and he continued that fine run as Billingborough opted to bat. With a flat pitch and a rapid outfield, they got off to a decent start with both openers finding the boundary early on.
Buzz broke through removing both openers, Gale (6) finally connecting with a big swing, but only to drag on to his stumps, and then Gray (14) dollied one up into the covers. With no other credible options, Roffy shared the new ball and surprised everyone with some tidy swing. Tickler’s gardener Spinks (1) batted at a similar pace to his employer, before he picked out county player Lamin at mid-on, and then Roffe bowled a 13-year-old through the gate, leaving the home side 23-4. It could have been better for Baston, but Jonny couldn’t gather Ben’s laser through from cover for an easy run out on the stroke of drinks.
Well done Roffy, he's 13
Late addition to the home side, Callum Scott played nicely, and started to build a partnership with Sadler (5) before the latter spooned a caught and bowled back to Roffe, who finished with an impressive 3-29 from his 12 overs, as did Buzz with 2-23 from his 12. Another run out chance in the next over was a lot more comfortable, as Martyn had time to do a 360 degree turn at point before gently lobbing the ball to JWH, who removed the bails and ex rockstar skipper Turner (0) was out by half a pitch. Both Turner Jnr (6) and Pilgrim (7) provided good support to Scott (37), but all 3 fell victim to Baston legend Dyer, who inevitably was back in the wickets. Clean bowling Turner Jnr, and then 2 plum LBWs given by top ump White.
Roffe and Tim celebrate their 3 wickets apiece.
County player Lamin took the final wicket as Billingborough finished 82 all out in the 34th over. A fantastic bowling and fielding effort considering the conditions. Special mention to three knee Peter, and Ian Mickelburgh who put their bodies on the line regularly.
Just the 2 wickets for Buzz this week
The home team’s total looked very short as Ben came out firing, finding the boundary three times in the first 2 overs. There was a dubious moment at the start of his innings, where a ball hit him near his hip, going down leg. A big appeal from the bowler was amazingly turned down by the umpire, shocking everyone in local cricket.
Billingborough made a breakthrough as form bat Ant missed the only ball of the day that misbehaved (apparently) walking off for 1 scored, and the score on 18/1. Martyn walked out talking about being calm and playing each ball on merit, but then biffed his first ball for four over midwicket.
From this point it was carnage. Left armer Richardson was getting the treatment, particularly from Ben, who ignored the heavy offside field, and still found the gaps between the 4 fielders in the covers.
Ben and Martyn
At the start of the 12th over, Ben made it all about him, as he told Martyn to stop scoring runs as he needed the remaining runs to make his 50. Martyn acted the perfect gentleman by blocking some of the worst bowling in cricket history, to allow Ben the strike in the next over.
Ben continued his selfish way, as he turned down singles hit to boundary riders either side of the wicket, confusing the simple folk of Billingborough, before getting a lovely short ball down leg which he pulled to the fence for his first 50 of the year, ending 52 not out. Martyn played with typical class for his 27*, with neither player giving a chance in their partnership.
The boys had an early finish and stayed in Billingborough for a beer, before returning to Baston for a big night on the booze. Jonny went home for a shower.
The afternoon/evening seemed to drag on forever in the beer garden, which may have had something to do with Teddy regaling everyone with the story about how he became known as Teddy.
Scorecard - https://baston.play-cricket.com/website/results/5175415