For their first game of the long-awaited 2021 season, the Plastics headed to Battersea Park to play the impressively named Butterlords CC - a new opposition, albeit one that was in the fixtures calendar last season until COVID struck.
Captain Jerry won the toss and decided to bowl on a dry but grassy wicket, with one boundary noticeably shorter than the other. Jamie, opening the bowling, was soon to strike: he bowled one opener, before teasing their other out stumped thanks to sharp work by keeper Anthony. If that was the Plastics’ pinnacle, the next 15 overs were their nadir: Butterlords #3 + #4 put on a fantastic 100 partnership, leaving them ~110/2 at drinks. Post-drinks, the plastics showed that they are never shy to bounce back. A fierce spell by Phil saw him pick up both wickets of the dangermen in just three overs, partnered ably by TMG at the other end (who may have misunderstood the captains team talk as he sent down 4 overs of sweet chin music, whilst admittedly picking up one wicket). A very economical 6 overs from Iain (bowling with a broken hand), four teasing overs from Neil, and a devastating two from Joey (the best things often come in small sizes) brought the Butterlords to 140/6 after ~25 overs. Tom S-C kept it very tight at the death with three fantastic overs to go with his two from earlier on, but ultimately Butterlords rallied, with nos. 7 + 8 bringing them to 245/7 after 36 overs. Nevertheless, Jerry picked up the consolation prize of a wicket from the final ball of the innings, and so the Plastics (or at least, their captain) went to tea buoyant and full of optimism. That optimism lasted until ball no. 3 of the plastics’ innings, when Ant was on the receiving end of a ball that didn’t bounce, and hit the base of off stump. Liam (fresh from his heroics fielding at square leg all game, with all the bruises to show for it) followed soon after, caught at mid off on the twenty-fifth attempt. Plastics were 10/2. Meanwhile, Joey and Phil showed their mettle with Joey striking a fabulous 45 from ~25 balls (including a crowd-catch six), and Phil matching his intensity. At this point, Joey was hit quite hard in the box; this must have unsettled Phil who was bowled next over. Mike was next in but sadly followed suit soon after: a lucky respite for the Butterlords given his quick run-making whilst he was at the crease. Neil, TMG, and Tom S-C all also fell soon after. I would let you know what the score was here but wickets were falling so quickly that it seems the Plastics scorer stopped bothering to keep track of when. Dire times such as these call for heroes: Jamie answered the call, and provided a rock of an innings despite having retired from umpiring not 5 overs beforehand, due to dehydration. Jerry joined Jamie, scoring 25 mostly via edges through the slip cordon, before both were out. With Iain stranded on his way to his second century (0* (1)), plastics were all out for 123, and Butterlords won by 122. It was a thoroughly enjoyable match: many thanks for the Butterlords for hosting us. We hope to see them next year, and to provide some sterner opposition.
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THE TEAMFormed from a collection of players who met on the internet via social cricket at Archbishop's Park, Plastics XI represents the foolhardy members of that group who decided they wanted a bash at proper cricket instead of playing with plastic balls. The team's ability is best described as "weak-weak". Luckily, our social media game is much stronger. Find us on: Archives
October 2021
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