Refusing to let rain stop play!

The tone was set for a casual game of cricket as the Captain for the oppo launched his iPhone in the air, replacing the more traditional coin.

The Flycatchers were put into bat and rightly so as runs were few and far between to start off with in a tricky pitch. The Flycatchers cricket couldn’t have been further away from Bazball and resembled closer to Marnus Labuschagne’s 9 off 82 in the 5th Ashes Test. The Flycatchers succumbed to 25 - 2 off 10 overs, with the first four of the innings coming in the 12th.

Fortunately, Tom Pearman decided to deal with this by dispatching ‘Brown Sugar” for 25 from his first over. This kickstarted a bit of a push on the run rate however stoppage was put to this by an unlikely source. Charlie Kitcat’s bowling, which consisted of launching the ball into the stratosphere, seemed to make the batman uneasy as he produced very decent figures of 3 - 28.

A final push by O Banks with 33 off 16 balls meant the Dell Boys required 159 from 30 overs.

Although the rain was expected unfortunately bowling some balls back at Dell Boys was looking unlikely. As the teas dragged on negotiations started to take place on how to best settle the score without cricket being played. As the beers flowed at lunch, murmurings were starting to spread around stopping the fixture and starting the BBQ at the Kitcat’s early and line-ups for a boat race were beginning to be discussed.

However, as the cricket so far was an enjoyable spectacle and the large crowd that had gathered to watch expected to see more. The decision was made, with little consultation from any groundsman, to play through the rain. A 3 times round negotiated DLS was set, requiring Dell Boys to get 78 from 10 overs.

Even though this target was controversial, a slippery ball meant that a few lifelines were handed to Dell Boys as a few early catches went down. Notably, what should have been a regulation catch off a skied ball from the opener, T Banks managed to let one slip. Made worse by the fact he was keeping so had the advantage of grippier hands.

Dell Boys worked their way to requiring 14 off the last two overs with 7 wickets remaining. 11 was required off the final over and J Baker took on the death bowling. It was not a great start as the first 3 balls went for 4, dot, 6. With only one required of the last 3, many would expect the match to be done and dusted.

However, with a tight field around the bat the pressure piled on. A dot balled was followed by O Banks wearing a cracking cover drive to the knee at silly mid. The cracking noise off the bat was only second to that made off the knee. The last ball was sent back to Baker who run out the batsman to leave the match tied.

Cricket being the winner, everyone headed to the Kitcat’s for a BBQ which was greatly received and appreciated.

Thanks to the Kitcat’s and Dell Boys for an eventful day, and we are looking forward as always to next year.