Mt Martha v Mt Eliza

Mt Eliza 150 (Davey 28, Shinkfield 23) was defeated by Mt Martha 8/152 (Shinkfield 5/19, Velandai 2/43, Scott 1/24)

We find ourselves third on the ladder, with a semi-final against YCW on Saturday. So far, so good.

But in an innings where almost every batsman got a start, we managed only 150 against a modest attack. CD got his eye in and Matt showed power.  Others chipped in. Another 20 runs would have seen us win, as the enemy passed our score 8 down.

After Scotty got their gun opener in his first over, it was another 70 runs before the next wicket fell. Then our bowlers got on top, with Matt excelling. His 5/19 was outstanding, supported by excellent fielding.  Sri twirled his way to a couple of wickets.  Dazza, CD and Joe all took great catches.  Tim Cooper did a great job behind the stumps.

Clive sadly tore a hamstring, and limped from the field. Luckily Macca was lurking, and he limped on to add experience and voice to our game. But the enemy hung on. And it made the other semi final, scrapping into the four by 0.02%.

Thanks to Joe for filling in and to Macca for subbing for us.

Round 17 | Somerville v Mt Eliza

Mt Eliza /2013 (Velandai 53, Shinkfield 26 n.o.) drew with Somerville 5/178 (Cooper 2/39, Scot 1/2, Davey 1/24, Shinkfield 1/45)

It was a game of three highlights.

Firstly, Tony Scott bowled 8 overs for 6 maidens and took 1/2.  Of the two runs, one was a miss-field, the other a dropped catch. And this was against quite reasonable batspeople. Arguably, the best opening spell we have seen.

Secondly, Sri and the Skipper put on 70 for the opening partnership, of which the latter scored, err, 8.  Sri cut and drove elegantly a delightful 53. He was especially harsh on their gun quick, carving the ball in an arc between third-person and point.

Thirdly, was the disgraceful unsportsmanship of the enemy. At drinks, we were 2/105 chasing 179: the enemy refused to play. The reason being that the “wicket was unsafe”. We needed 64 from the final 20 overs with Matt in fine form and Dazza fresh at the crease. But their skipper caved into pressure from his team and refused to go any further.  The slight rain had stopped.

Yes, their quick slipped and fell.  But that was a result of trying to bowl too fast on a slightly slippery pitch.  A smarter bowler, or captain, might have suggested a slower run up.  None of the other bowlers had a problem. I have been playing cricket on the Peninsula for over 50 years and have played in far worse conditions.  If rain came, fielding captain would use slow bowlers.

Our game was the only one on Saturday that was ‘washed-out.’ Even 300 metres away, at Somerville’s main ground, the game was uninterrupted. Somerville had their chance to bat for 40 overs and would not allow us to do the same. Their spineless, selfish and cowardly action stands condemned.

We find ourselves third on the ladder, assured of a place in the finals.  But which team we play remains open.  This week, we play Mt Martha, away.

Round 16 | Mt Eliza v Frankston YCW

Mt Eliza 74 (Velandai 13, Davey 13, Hough 11) was defeated by YCW 2/78 (Velandai 1/15, Davey 1/19)

Nalaka failed to appear and Anay Ashwin filled his place, for which many thanks. The Skipper lost the toss, and we were invited to bat.  The enemy fielded three quicks that would make any seconds team. So, we crumbled. Sri showed some elegance, Freddie guts, Houghie skill and CD some flair.  We were all back in the tent after 30 overs for 74.  The enemy got the runs without fuss.  CD nabbed an LBW, Liam bowled without luck, Ashwin daintily smashed the wickets over for a brilliant stumping and Scotty suffered at the hands of a slog-fest.

YCW have sounded a warning. Happily, their gun quick and tonking opening bat will not have played enough games to qualify for the finals. But, then there’s a lad named Hammill to come into their team. For us, Matt, Dazza and Ron should be back next week. We remain in their position on the ladder, one game ahead of a surging Baxter.

Round 15 | Carrum v Mt Eliza

Mt Eliza 6/202 (Shinkfield 76, Scott 52 n.o., Mullins 20 n.o.) defeated Carrum 110 (Velandai 4/23, Cooper 2/21, Scott 2/22, Bowler 1/16)

We ventured to northern climes to duel with Carrum.  A large crowd assembled in the shadows of their new pavilion to see the battle. Carrum was vying for a finals’ place and had defeated us before Christmas.  But our team had been strengthened by inclusion of two talented youngsters, whose places in their team were fully justified by their bowling and fielding.  Ashwin volunteered to take the keeping role on Ron’s rest day. The Skipper lost the toss, but we found ourselves batting first.

A new opening combination was tried: Ashwin and Sri. The only risk being a certain chance of both being run out from the same delivery. This didn’t happen, but both were gone by the time 15 runs had been scored.  But Matt was undaunted, and began a delightful innings of hooks, pulls and drives, interspersed with strolling singles. He put on 33 with Dazza, Dazza scoring 8; and 53 with the Skipper, the later adding a mere 15.  “Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, etc, etc.”

Only when an ageing hamstring began to protest did Matt’s scoring slow, and even then it took a dazzling catch to dismiss him. Matt’s 74 was his 18^th fifty for the club, The Skipper soon went, and then Houghie steadied the ship with a modest 20 partnership with Scotty.  Freddie (Jeff) joined Scotty and the fireworks started. The enemy’s chatter was up at 6/134 with 6 overs to go.  And when we closed at 6/202 the sound of silence was heard.

Scotty and Freddie carved the attack with powerful strokes and superb running between the wickets. Freddie’s 20 not out was his highest in senior cricket, surpassing last week’s 14.  Scotty scored all bar Freddie’s 20 in a stand of 68, and it was his 12^th 50 for the club, nice work

The enemy faced a twin bowling menace in uncle and nephew: CD and Tim Cooper. Each took a wicket in their opening spell (Tim a second in his second spell), and just as critically squeezed the run rates from 5 per over to 6 per over from 30 overs. Liam then came on to masterfully maintain the squeeze, his five overs costing just 16 runs (and he took a wicket in his second spell.

Scotty kept the pressure with 2/22 from his eight overs.  And it was up to the sub-continental wizard (Sri) to spin his way to 4 wickets. Ashwin was efficient, if not tidy, behind the stumps,  And made a brilliant stumping off Sri.

Man of the match was Scotty, for his blasting 52 not out and his two wickets, edging out Matt.

Round 14 | Pearcedale v Mt Eliza

Mt Eliza 4/68 (Velandai 25) defeated Pearcedale 61 (Davey 8/29)

The weather on Oval#3 was ideal: mid-20s, a gentle breeze, a cloudless sky. The large crowd appreciated the sunny conditions: ladies in brightly coloured sundresses, the gentlemen sporting crisp floral shirts and jaunty boaters.

The enemy was at not quite full strength. But it had defeated us before Christmas. And so, a tight contest was expected. Matt was stand-in skipper for the rotated Skipper, and successfully tossed the coin. With an eye to the weather, he invited the enemy to bat.

An early display of C4’s brilliant fielding capability was evident, as Dazza Bampton took a diving one-handed catch off CD. And then, like soft butter in a heated pan, the enemy melted. Chris took all eight wickets to fall, moving the ball prodigiously in unhelpful conditions. Only ten bowlers in Mt Eliza’s history have taken more wickets in an innings. And none of those, I’m aware, was in a 40-over game. CD’s 8/29 was a performance for the times.

At the other end, Tim Cooper, CD’s nephew, kept the lid tight, allowing the enemy no respite. Matt bowled two overs to keep himself warm.

Freddie opened with Sri and made his highest ever score in senior cricket: 14. Sri made an elegant 25. We made the necessary runs in 16 overs.

Man of the match was CD for his 8 wickets. We retain third place, one game behind second, but with a better percentage.

Round 13 | Mt Eliza v Tyabb

Mt Eliza 177 (Bampton 78, Velandai 34, Subramaniam 29) was defeated by Tyabb 2/186 (Shinkfield 1/30, Subramaniam 1/49)

The threat of another roasting day was made easier by the Skipper winning the toss.  Tick one.  But we were playing Tyabb, by far the strongest team in the grade. Cross one.

And we welcomed back Ashwin (albeit jet-lagged), Sri (sporting a jaunty 1920’s moustache), Dazza and Nalaka (still sleek in a buttoned shirt). Tick two.   But we were playing Tyabb, by far the strongest team in the grade. Cross two.

Tyabb were two, then one, then two short as both exongenous and endogenous events took their toll.  Tick three.  But we were playing Tyabb, by far the strongest team in the grade. Cross three.

We made 177, a strong score against a tight and talented attack; Dazza Bampton stroked a brilliant 78, with on-driving reminiscent of Majid Khan, Sri batted with aplomb for 34 and Ashwin belted a rapid 29. Ron hit a sensational 4 and ran a 2, bringing the massive crowd to its feet.  Tick four. But we were playing Tyabb, by far the strongest team in the grade. Cross four.

Matt made an early breakthrough, getting one of the enemy’s six gun batsmen. Tick Five. But we were playing Tyabb, by far the strongest team in the grade. Cross five.

We were still in the hunt with six overs left.  Sri and Nalaka had squeezed the pip so much that the enemy still needed 38 runs.  Ashwin then tempted one of the enemy’s six gun batsmen to loft to Matt in the deep.  The dying fire had been stoked.  The crowd nervously cheered.  Tick six.  But we were playing Tyabb, by far the strongest team in the grade. Cross six.

And it came to pass that the incoming next of the enemy’s six gun batsmen smote the ball to the four winds. Game over. Sri, Nalaka and Tim bowled meanly with control and skill.  And Ron’s keeping was almost flawless in trying conditions.  And the ground fielding was excellent from all players.

Man of the match was Dazza for his elegant 78.

Round 12 | Baxter v Mt Eliza

Mt Eliza 8/210 (Shinkfield 93, Scott 30, H. Starkins 23) defeated Baxter 113 (Shinkfield 4/18, Cooper 3/22, Conway 1/5, Mullins 1/18, Davey 1/29)

Plan B worked.  Our interchange bench of keen and young players (Tim Cooper, Chris Davey (CD), Henry Starkins, Joe Conway), assisted by an older Matt Shinkfield, pulled us to victory and second place on the ladder.

The Skipper lost the toss, but we found ourselves first at the crease.  Freddie and Skipper soon went, paving the way for two large partnerships. Matt put on 90 with Scotty, the latter showing excellent touch until unaccountably leaving a ball that knocked over the stumps; and then 60 with Henry Starkins. Henry showed significantly better judgement and running between the wickets than his ageing father.

Matt’s innings of 93 was a blend of delicate dabs to third man and powerful sixes over distant boundaries. Only weariness saw him miscue another dab, the ball going into slip’s hands rather than trickling down to third man. Houghie and Chris Davey added valuable runs to get us past 200, Clive gave his wicket away going for an even bigger score, and young Tim Cooper and youthful Joe played out the last over.

Amazingly tight bowling from Scotty and CD tied up the batsmen to the extent that every over saw the run rate increasingly climb. Matt took a high catch off CD and then Tim Cooper took his first senior wicket with a delightful outswinger that forced a catch to Scotty. Ron had an elegant stumping off Freddie.  Freddie then took an amazing leaping one handed catch off Matt and the rot was well set.

Matt bowled 7 overs with 3 maidens for 4/18, including their gun bat. Tim Cooper wrapped up the tail.  And Joe came on to take the final wicket. Man of the match was Matt for his 93, 4/18 and 3 catches. A terrific all-round performance.  Thanks to CD and Joe for helping out.

This week we play top team Tyabb at home.  We should have Nalaka, Dazza, Sri, and Ashwin back.  Scotty, Russ, Macca and Liam are unavailable.

The first selection priority over the next few weeks is to get Nalaka, Henry, Liam and Tim all qualified. Russ cannot qualify for finals, Macca is probably not going to recover in time, and CD’s availability is uncertain; so another bowler is desirable.  I am concerned to ensure that we have the best possible list available for selection, knowing the ever-lurking possibility of injury, wifely demands requests or work commitments.

Keep loose! Be excited!

Round 11 | Mt Eliza v Mt Martha

Mt Eliza 118 (Starkins 50, extras 19) was defeated by Mt Martha 220 (Mullins 4/38, Scott 2/29, De Silva 1/26, Bampton 1/34, Hammill 1/50)

The target of 220 didn’t seem out of reach.  The outfield, aided by a dufus in the council deciding not to water it, was as fast as the Nepean Highway.  We had a good batting line up.  And the enemy would be tired after their stint at the crease.

In weather similar to that enjoyed by a bug in the armpit of a boxer after 13 rounds in mid-summer bout in Zaire, our bowlers had toiled manfully.  Scotty, Kush and Ashwin bowled parsimoniously and sensibly.  Which gave part-timers Freddie and Dazza the opportunity to shine.  Freddie astounded himself in taking four wickets and Dazza astounded no-one by finishing an otherwise tight spell by bowling three consecutive wides.  Russ Hammill returned to the club to bowl economically, especially as he paired with a stoic Scotty to bowl the last eight overs as the mercury soared past 40 degrees.  The success in taking 10 wickets under such conditions was most pleasing.

Our outfielding was excellent, with Houghie, Dazza, Ashwin, Kush and Freddie showing admirable energy in chasing everything possible.  Sadly, our infielding leaked some 40 runs and catches were missed or dropped. Ron was outstanding in the heat: a catch and a stumping taking him to 150 wickets for the club.

After Ashwin was run-out in a mix-up of which Geoff Boycott would have been proud, only the Skipper and Clive dug in against a modest attack. Person of the match was Ron.  In oppressive heat, he kept energetically and faultlessly. The Hayden Jarrett fielding award winner was Clive, who still misses the verdant and lush playing fields of England.

We now find ourselves 3^rd on the ladder, on percentage from YCW.  Next game is away at Baxter (#2).

Round 10 | Mt Eliza v Somerville

Mt Eliza 6/302 (Subramaniam 138 n.o., Shinkfield 66, Starkins 27) defeated Somerville 8/93 (Bampton 2/13, Mortimer 2/19, Shinkfield 1/1, Velandai 1/7, Scott 1/15)

The Skipper again won the toss and chose to bat, notwithstanding the gale-like easterly wind that did nothing other than keep away the flies.  Against a bowling attack that lacked talent (48 extras) and a fielding team that was one short, the going was, well, gentle.

The big man Ashwin took full toll.  The biblical word ‘smote’ was never more aptly applied than to his innings as he smote the bowling to the four winds.  Always willing take chances, he put on 111 with the Skipper and then 143 with Matt (66 powerful runs).  His 138 n.o. was his highest score for the club. Quick wickets were lost as the middle order strove to reach 300, which was achieved.

The enemy was never in the chase. Macca and Scotty were parsimonious, Sri challenging (1/7), Josh (making full use of Isaac Newton’s first law of gravity) looped mysteriously (2/19), Matt twirled away (1/1), Freddie was tight and Dazza never in doubt with his complex left-arm deliveries (2/13).

Ashwin, keeping in Ron’s stead and always keen to stay in the game, took a great legside catch.  Macca’s bullet-like throw from short fine leg to Ashwin, who then threw to Josh at the bowler’s end, caused the runout of the season. Person of the match was Ashwin. Hayden Jarrett fielding award winner was Macca.

We find ourselves 2^nd on the ladder.  Next game is at home versus Mt Martha. More selection stuff later, but, so far, I have only three unavailable for the 14^th January game: Dazza, Matt and Sri.  Please let me know of others, or changes.

And no matter what child of Abraham you are, may Christ’s blessing of peace and goodwill be with you and your family this Christmas.

Round 9 | Frankston YCW v Mt Eliza

Mt Eliza 133 (Bampton 45, Subramaniam 27, Starkins 24) was defeated by Frankston YCW 6/136 (Valendai 3/34, Shinkfield 1/7, N De Silva 1/24)

At 0/40 and even 2/116 we were looking for a score of over 200.  It was a fast outfield and a very good quick attack had been pacified.  Ashwin (smoting the regular short delivery to the boundary) and the Skipper (snicking the regular short delivery to the boundary) had done their job and then Ashwin and Dazza (driving elegantly) were well in command.

And then we lost 8/13. Sigh. It was a flock of ducks that must be record.

But then some true bowling grit emerged.  Sensational catches by Dazza and Liam augmented parsimonious bowling by, especially, Nalaka, Scotty, Sri and Matt.  The enemy passed us with only two overs to spare.  More sensible batting and sharper captaincy would have made a difference.

Ron stumped brilliantly, Houghie covered great distance in the deep and Kush marshalled the infield. Next week we play Somerville at home.

Meanwhile, the farce of Tyabb being in C4 continues.  It scored 4/381 on Saturday.  This follows its 6/326 against Somerville in round 5 (having had washouts and forfeits in rounds 1-4); a loss to us on forfeit; and then 2/233 against Baxter.  I guess last week’s 8/219 was an aberration.

Really, what is the point of encouraging juniors and casual cricketers to play when this sort of trophy hunting goes on?  This Tyabb team should be in C2 at least.

It’s a farce.

Round 8 | Mt Eliza v Carrum

Mt Eliza 1/79 (Subramaniam 37) defeated Carrum 77 (Bowler 4/24, Mortimer 2/7, Subramaniam 2/22, Shinkfield 1/10)

For the first time since March the sun was shining on Emil Madsen #3.  And Joe had arrived in his subtly coloured bright yellow car.  And Macca was, explicably, late.  The omens were good.

The enemy surrender after 28 overs.  Thirteen-year-old Liam Bowler stunned them with 4/24 from 5 overs., including the first three batsmen.  All his victims were bowled with late in-swinging Yorkers. Ashwin twirled away for a couple wickets, Josh’s loops confused the batsmen, including one giving a catch to Macca, who ran great distances with the flight of the ball to take the catch of the season.

Matt and Macca were parsimonious, as usual, bowling ten overs between them for just 24 runs.  Houghie and Dazza patrolled the deep with sureness; Anay (generously coming in the replace the covid-suffering Sri) and Freddie the same in the infield.  And Ron kept with legendary efficiency.

We knocked off the runs for the loss of the Skipper’s wicket in just 14 overs.  Ashwin settled after a couple of overs to smote the ball with great energy. Thanks to Joe for scoring, and to Deb for the afternoon tea.

Round 7 | Mt Eliza v Pearcedale

Mt Eliza 9/93 (McWilliams 15, Starkins 12, De Silva K 11)
was defeated by Pearcedale 4/97 (De Silva N 4/3)

The enemy had dropped down from B2 to join C4 (replacing the absent Moorooduc), so we expected a battle. We were missing numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 from our batting line-up but we were hopeful with young talent, welcoming Liam Bowler, and older talent, welcoming Josh Mortimer also for his debut. Nalaka De Silva joined his son to maintain our sub-continental quota. Tony Scott was back for his first game of the year, maintaining our quota of Brits.

The Skipper won the toss. And that was as good as it got.  Against a youthful and gentle attack, he soon departed, missing a straight delivery. As did Clive and Freddie, each when well set. Macca held up an end, as it were, batting at number three as Nalaka had left his boots at home.  And top scored with an elegant 15 runs made at Chris Tavaré pace with Rudolph Nureyev grace running between the wickets.

It was up to the colts to show some spine. Anay, Kush and Liam each batted with the patience and wisdom that all other batsmen should have employed. That is the measure of their success, not runs scored. After all of that, we somehow made 93 runs. Which the enemy made in 23 overs. There were three highlights to keep us interested.

Firstly, Tony Scott went down in the field, much like Mazza; as though shot from the grassy knoll, and was unable to bowl.

Secondly, Macca fielded in the manner of Hayden Jarrett, diving to field a ball that some seconds earlier had passed by.

Thirdly, the bowling of Nalaka, who took 4/3 from eight overs, with five maidens. The in-swinging yorker was his chosen weapon, which deployed with great effectiveness.

Josh’s looping leggies caused discomfort for the batsmen and excitement for Ron.  Sadly, he ripped the ball too much for the batsmen.

Nalaka ties for the player of the match with Liam Bowler.  Liam remained 9 not out (including a cover drive the style of which was in the Walter Hammond class) and bowled three tight overs.

Round 6 | Tyabb v Mt Eliza

Win – Tyabb forfeit

Round 5 | Mt Eliza v Baxter

Mt Eliza 10/191 (Subramaniam 80, A Ashwin 26) defeated Baxter 10/114 (McWilliams 3/18, de Silva 3/25, Subramaniam 2/27, Shinkfield 1/25)

Against a strong Baxter team, we were saved by father and son Ashwin and Anay.  The dad scored 80 powerful runs, and was well set for a ton when he unaccountably edged a long-hop to a surprised keeper.

He put on 37 with the Skipper, the latter adding 6 vital runs; 30 with measured Matt, and 40 with elegant Sri before succumbing.  He scored 80 of 129 runs.  But he sadly didn’t have the chance of batting with son Anay. Anay made 26, adding 30 with stoic Clive and 21 with crafty Houghie.  Our 4-man tail wagged to the extent of Freddie’s 4 runs, but otherwise failed to trouble the scorers

191 was a good score on a slow ground.  And when two wickets fell in the first two overs, the enemy was always going to struggle.  Macca was using his slower ball every ball to great effect and Kush’s run-up from the sightscreen exhausted the batsmen.  The spin triplets of Sri, Matt and Ashwin then played havoc before Kush returned to wrap up the innings.

Ron was outstanding, with a brilliant legside catch from Macca and a great stumping from Ashwin.  Unfair comments were made about Ron destroying the stumps each time, rather than just tipping one bail. So rude!

Houghie was great in the deep and Freddie in close.  Clive took his first catch for the club – a stunning two hander off Kush. Person of the match was Ashwin for his superb knock.  (By the way, person of the match for round 1 was Henry Starkins for his slashing innings.)

Next week we play Tyabb, at the MPCA ground in Graydens Road.  Houghie and Sri are not available, but Tony Scott should return.

Round 4 | Balnarring v Mt Eliza

Win – Balnarring forfeit

Round 3 | Somerville v Mt Eliza

Washed out.

Round 2 | Frankston YCW v Mt Eliza

Washed out.