Batsmen in Bother but Burman Bursts Brondesbury Bubble

The forecast rain was nowhere to be seen as the 4^th XI assembled at a resplendent Broom Road on Saturday to face visitors Brondesbury in a fixture the skipper felt was pivotal in the 4’s season. Unable to field the chosen side due to late changes in the higher XI’s, T’s strength in depth was to be tested by the premier league club’s 4^th string but to be in the mix you have to be the best 4^th team and then worry about the 3^rd teams and this would therefore be key to the team’s higher aspirations. With Tony gaining a late call up to face North Middlesex, Rand lacked his Bothamesque pitch guru but no decision was required as Dave, the Brondesbury skipper, showing no discernible knowledge of the skipper’s 6 year old daughter’s coin theory (discovered, somewhat controversially, later in the weekend to be at odds with that of Professor Hough – no doubt that debate will run and run) correctly called heads and after some consultation with the rest of the team invited Twickenham to bat first.

Walder and skipper Rand opened against the tight opening attack of Rizwan and Savage. The former showed great variation and breezy pace which did for Rand early on and only Walder showed any resistance, playing his usual stoic innings as things went distinctly pear shaped and at 50 for 6, the team were contemplating an afternoon on the verandah sipping Pimms and watching the twos. Step forward the formerly flowing locks of Richie Payne. Rationed to one game a fortnight he is always keen to enjoy it and demonstrated that it was not the wicket that was causing the problems by playing some delightful shots and running positively to tick the scoreboard past the 90 mark, ensuring 4 points for the T’s. Wright and Bowman went cheaply, the former to a beautiful Yorker from Savage but not before his trusty willow, which legend has it has been in the family for 6 generations and was carved from an old shillelagh, finally gave up the ghost. Saurav Burman on his season’s 4^th team debut joined the flourishing Payne, having assured his skipper that he could indeed bat and proceeded to demonstrate just that, raising the skipper’s hopes that the 120 that the groundsman assures me fortnightly “is a winning score on Broom Road” could be achieved. However at 108 with 2 overs remaining Richie was the 4^th lbw victim of the day, the rest, with the exception of Rand, all bowled.

Tea was taken and due to some confusion over the grading systems in operation and possible copyright infringements no grade can yet be awarded but suffice to say it was very pleasant, fortifying both sides as they prepared to lock horns for an interesting 2^nd session. As they did, skipper Rand reflected on the game against Wembley 2 weeks earlier, where chasing 99 required great application and wondered aloud whether the Brondesbury boys were made of such stern stuff.

The answer appeared to be that they didn’t need to be as they started in positive manner against Payne, bowling into a burgeoning breeze, and Burman. It was Payne who made the breakthrough as a wide half volley was hit hard to point where JP Bowman pouched a great catch but despite this the ruthless captain replaced him with Wright to try and take advantage of the breeze now blowing towards the river. However it was Burman that got the breakthrough as the other opener, having previously shown good judgement of the position of his off stump was undone by movement of the seam, losing aforesaid upright. The 3 was never convincing and after being given caught behind, was reprieved as in a gesture rarely seen at this level and commensurate with the great spirit both sides showed throughout the game, keeper Rand withdrew the appeal as he was unsure that the ball had carried. He was palpably lbw shortly afterwards to Burman and when the dangerous looking Rizwan was lbw to Wright sweeping and Burman bowled the no.6 to make it 35 for 5, the T’s were in the driving seat. The B’s captain however was not going to give up yet, realising that with plenty of time left in the game, occupation of the crease was paramount and would in all likelihood see the visitor’s home. Eking out every run it was a case of who would blink first as an absorbing game of cat and mouse developed, with men round the bat and patrollers in the deep for the big shot when it came. However Burman made the breakthrough, trapping the B’s skipper in front. That brought the veteran Botterill to the crease and he continued to marshall the young 5 through to drinks with 20 overs to go and Brondesbury having progressed to 65 for 6. As is so often the case drinks, despite the skipper’s advice to the batsmen, proved decisive as the 5 batsman could no longer resist and charged down the wicket  - bowled Burman and that was his 5 for! Shortly after Bill turned one to take the off stump of Botterill and when Burman saw off the 9 in short order the last pair were at the crease and still 40 were needed to win. With both bowlers fatigued by their long effort and the T’s tensing up as the finish line approached the score started to tick as the last pair defended stoutly, daring the odd flourish and picking up runs from the edge. As Rand looked to change the attack, Wright forced Savage into a mistake, the ball flew to mid on, Phillip’s grasped at it, dropped, a single and the runs needed were 27 off the last 10. Sourav stood at the start of his run up commencing his 18^th over and suddenly his work was one as once more off stump was knocked back. T’s had won a great game of cricket!

Back at the Green, the Groundsman apologised as due to the demands of 20:20 and an early meet on Saturday morning he’d been unable to cut a new strip and so we had an old one – hence the difficulty encountered by all (except Richie whose innings of 27 proved to be the winning margin!). A great game of cricket and the skipper smiled all through Saturday night with tales of his Brearley like prowess and waits anxiously to see the league table. Ally Pally next week followed by the 2 leaders as of last week and with (famous last words) selection looking up there will be hard decisions to make to try and keep what can now officially be called the promotion dream alive.

Wilf