Match
reports
Sunday July 9th 2006, Malvern CC v The Harpenden Cavaliers
CC
The Cavs took their biggest tour squad ever to Malvern
CC. Equipped with hacky sacks, tennis balls, footballs,
playing cards, newspapers, hangovers and cricket gear the
boys were set up nicely for the final game of the 2006 tour.
Malvern CC, a quality set up with great facilities and
views of the Worcestershire hills, were to prove a great
club both on and off the field.
Stand in skipper Jimmy Hat won the manufactured toss and
was duly told to bat. Brindo and Terry negotiated the first
few overs without a hitch before Tant (umpire) fingered
Brindo for possibly the worst lbw decision ever. Quote the
first slip; “me and the keeper never even bothered
to appeal, as it was never out – even the Judge wouldn’t
have given that” after their skipper turned his presumptuous
appeal into a wicket.
Handford came to the wicket in need of runs and made a
positive start, unfortunately Terry and newly pushed-up-the-order
Foster (T) were unable to hang around at the other end and
soon departed for 4 and 1 respectively. In came senior Foster
to steady the ship and the pair were soon into their stride
with some positive attacking shots. Drinks came at the wrong
time for Handford as he was soon back in the hutch for 48
having pulled one down square leg’s throat. Foster
duly stuck around for what would be the highest knock of
the tour before falling, again caught, for a splendid 77.
Uncharacteristically LBC (9) and Lloyd (6) were unable to
get amongst the runs before, coming in at eight, Baines
scored an excellent 39 not out off only a handful of overs.
Baines’s Twenty20 style knock included a couple of
audacious reverse sweeps and some hefty cover drives to
boot. Firmin meanwhile backed up his attacking partner for
a very well earned 4 not out. Cavs 215 / 7 off 40 overs.
Given the tea (superb in flavour, variety and quantity),
the warm conditions and three nights of having it, the Cavs
fielded well and took all - but for one drop (Terry) - of
their chances (perhaps Toothy should offer 250/1 more often).
Tant and Timmy F opened the bowling and kept things tidy
and tight, suitably supported by LBC’s box of ‘allsorts’,
Brindo’s metronone line and length and Handford’s
slower ball. The Firminator may wish to forget his figures,
perhaps ‘being a fantastic lover’ was diverting
his attention with the ball. Despite a valiant bowling and
fielding effort Malvern’s quality batting line up
shone through and they, in the end, got home with five wickets
in hand and four overs to spare.
To conclude; Malvern sportingly allowed us a bat and in
doing so ensured we got a game out of this fixture but at
anytime, either with ball or bat, had the Cavaliers looked
like troubling them then I’m sure they would have
used all their heavy artillery. As it was we saw glimpses
of some very good quality cricketers in their side (rumour
has it some Worcestershire 2nd team no less…)
Possibly one of the finest days on tour with Malvern providing
a tough test on the field whilst being more than obliging
in giving us a game (drinking) off it with the stump game,
submarines and the spoon game all being enjoyed. Just a
shame we weren’t watching Zidane headbutt an England
player in the final in the bar that evening…. Maybe
in South Africa in 2010 eh boys!
Player of the Tour – Todd Baines
Joint second for Player of the Tour – Simon Foster
and Jim Handford
Allez les Cavs!
JAH 17/7/06
