The Ashes 2008 
Captain Paddy Mcguirk either lost or won the toss and we were put into bat with Austin and Tubby opening the order.
The Aussies had a very quick opening pair of bowlers and it was only in the second over that Austin looped an easy catch to long on having scored 1 run. Paddy arrived at the crease, with a determined brow and a steady nerve trying to placate the early wicket. But 3 over’s later saw 2 more strollers head back early with both Tubby and then 2 balls later Tom the “Weasel” being clean bowled. Celebrations from the Aussies were slightly muted as the score stood at 8 for 3 and there was the real prospect (with so many having flown half way around the world) that the game would finish within an hour!
Luke joined Paddy in the middle and The Strollers needed to regroup. The run rate was slow, but the haemorrhaging wickets had stopped for a while as score reached 36 for 3. Having seen off the first change of bowler, Paddy then clumsily tried to pull a short ball, for it to only loop up behind the wicket for an easy catch.
The Strollers were in real trouble but with Luke growing in confidence and playing some fine shots, he was delighted to see the ever dependable Ed Duffus take centre stage. The tactics seemed clear, hang around and let Luke score the runs.
However after a scorching cover drive from Ed, and the consequent rush of blood to the head, he was bowled by an in-swinging delivery clocked at a speedy 68 miles per hour. The score was still only 58 for 5 with very few recognised batsmen remaining.
Youngy who is surprisingly agile for a big man, strode to the crease with confidence and early season form behind him. Having spent the first 3 over’s playing with his pads rather than the bat, was relieved to see Luke still playing some exquisite shots from the other end, and a surprising drinks break was called at 71 for 5.
Youngy had decided that the bat might make a better weapon and started to open the shoulders with a fine array of golfing shots, and the pair sensed a recovery as the run rate increased. Luke reached his 50 with a huge 6, and took the appropriate applause from a relieved Strollers team on the side lines. He was then brilliantly caught at long off having driven on the up, and ended as Strollers top scorer with 53, with the score line at 102 for 6.
That soon became 102 for 7 as the nervous Macca bouncing to the middle only survived 3 balls before attempting a square pull shot which clipped the top edge and was easily caught at mid wicket.
Big Gaz then joined Youngy who had decided to take the lead role and continued to display some big hitting, including 16 from 1 over. Gaz had chipped in for 1 run before being bowled by a straight one and the score was 128 for 8.
Old Man Dan Harvey then joined Young at the middle and both seemed determined to edge the Strollers towards the 150 mark. But after some vicious deliveries from Carey, Young’s resistance fell as he was clean bowled for 29.
The final pair of Harvey and Bristow lasted another couple of over’s which included some hostile bouncers and The Strollers were all out for 135 runs. A target yes, but a small one !
The WAGs made sandwiches and cakes were a welcome rest for a Strollers side that lacked batting depth and any real resistance apart from Luke Fletcher.
But with typical Strollers enthusiasm, set about knocking off the 10 wickets required. 12 over later and 2 changes of bowling, the Aussies retired both opening batsmen to allow others to contribute! Could this be a 10 wicket loss?
Chances were rare, and the fielding generally sharp. Rick Bristow was the only bowler to trouble the batsmen, and finished with 2 wickets (celebrated wildly)….and was unlucky not to get a 3rd as a dropped sitter almost drew out his bottom lip!
By the end of the day, the Aussies rushed through the required runs, only losing 2 wickets and soundly beating The Strollers.
The evening banter was jovial, the food scrumptious and the atmosphere friendly (even though Paddy was still drinking). And this is where the player ratings were discussed:
Paddy (Captain) – Coveted controversy before the game started with his batting order. Flattered to deceive with only 11 runs, carelessly giving his wicket away! Bowled the strollers most expensive over ever while gifting his opposing captain his first ever 6! Lost half a point for dodgy language at the dinner table. Drew comments after the game including “Its one thing to fail as a man…it’s another thing to fail as a leader” and “I am disappointed in my skipper today” – A fortunate 3
Luke – Came in at a critical time when the Strollers were 8 for 3, then produced his knock of the season with a classy 53. Good aggressive bowling with a tight line and length unlucky not to pick up a wicket. Voice of calm while Paddy was his usual chopsey self….Big shout for Man of the Match! Unlucky not to be more….8.5
Macca – Hung around for 3 balls frustrating the bowlers, scoring 0 runs. Excellent slide to stop the ball, after the ball had already stopped before the boundary. Accepted 3rd choice keeper position magnanimously. Lost his only point for convincing 1st choice wicket keeper to buy more gloves because he didn’t want to share his. 9 and Man of the Match
Youngy –Decided to kick the ball away far too many times before adopting a fine golf swing on the way to a bottom handed 29 runs, 2nd top score for the day. Missed “obvious” stumping but caught 1st ever wicket-keeper catch. Very poor WAG banter….WAG obviously meaning not available!!! Appealed on almost every delivery causing umpire to switch off! Solid 7
Rick Bristow – His best knock of the season despite his bottom lip hit the floor after coming in at eleven, scored 2 runs. Failed to carry his own bat after breaking it with a swipe of aggression. Hostile bowling display of accurate line and length (claiming all the Strollers wickets), dismissing the opposing skipper with his best ball of the season. Spoilt the moment with a “childlike, infantile, purile” celebration. Lost many points for unsportsmanlike behaviour on the pitch and failing to appear for even 1 beer. A lucky 4
Austin – Only scored 1 run after being introduced to the strollers as a “ringer”. Excellent on the field chat with his Luke Skywalker banter, and showed tremendous commitment by stopping the ball with his knee cap. Encouraging strollers debut – 4
The Enigma Gaz – Disappointing display with the bat scoring 1 run, and followed similar form in the field while dropping the world’s simplest catch (luckily only off Rick’s bowling). Also a poor post match display, needs a long hard look in the mirror. – 3.5
Tubby – Looked pretty grumpy throughout the day, came into bat and left quite quickly. Didn’t even come for a beer! Generous 5
Dan Harvey – Started because he was the hardest tackling fly-half in rugby, and despite looking in his 50’s is actually in his 30’s!! Energetic fielding display and showed some potential with the bat. Had a couple of erratic and expensive over’s - 4
Ed Duffus – Looked threatening from all aspects, although has receded significantly over the past 12 months….prompting comments from his skipper “more Jim Duffus than Ed Duffus”. Excellent cover drive for his only boundary, then after a rush of blood gave his wicket away the following ball - scored 4 runs. Next weeks strollers captain - 5
The Weasel – Some very good swing bowling, unfortunately at a pace that could easily be followed. Second ball duck after being bowled through the gate, but an excellent Strollers morale builder as chants of “weasel” rang out around the park! A welcome return – 3.5
SY