Pakistan Revisited

Fantastic work by Tinno, Bobby, Tuckers and Leggy meant that we were able to field 22 players for the weekend, but both sides were weakened through injuries and holidays.

After a week at the Salman Butt school of captaincy, Tinno had prepared for the game in typical Keyworth fashion, spending Friday night in the 5 star accommodation of his Vauxhall Corsa. This had clearly affected his thinking at the toss; as the strategy of bat-first-Keyworth was lacking one major factor..... Iggy. Not that Bomber would have fancied opening up on a damp, green pitch that seamed from the off.

At 3-3 after 3 overs the plan had badly backfired with Tinno (0), Bailey (1) and Rocket (0) all back in the hutch. We lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter; Drurs (4), Bobby (2), Beakey (11). Tuckers (11) was most unlucky to be run out at the non striker's end, and Duncan (5) couldn't repeat his heroics of last week.

We were struggling to beat Pakistan's dismal 72 until Kitcho bought some relief at no.10, smashing 3 x 4's and a massive six into the gardens, in a quickfire 18.

Amid all the carnage Jay Vickers had batted beautifully, facing 117 balls in nearly 3 hours, his 34 being worth at least double. He was last man out, with Day Hiller 6 n/o as we limped to 118 all out in the 40th over.

Tea was better than expected; highlights being 3 types of melon, the rare use of brown bread north of the river, and old skool chocolate marshmallows.

In reply the pitch had dried and flattened out from a combination of the sun and light roller. Rocket seamed the ball beautifully but couldn't find the edge, while Kitch pitched a bit short, and the visitors reached 50 without loss.

Spin twins Baker and Hiller bowled very tightly and with 50 more runs might have made a game of it. Rob returned great figures of 4-28 off 15 overs, Day 1-19 off 8. But the scoreboard was never under pressure with less than 2 an over required throughout and Kimberley eased home for the loss of 6 wickets.

Our fielding was splendid and heads never went down; Tuckers demonstrated an exemplary long barrier, but Bails took the fielding point for a great diving stop on the boundary that almost sliced him in half as he crashed into plastic chairs.