2023 Coombe Bissett

Sunday 9 July, 2023, Coombe Bissett

It wasn’t so much a game of two halves, as the football pundits like to say, as of four quarters. Coombe Bissett batted first. Or rather, their opening batsman batted first. He stayed there for what felt like a long time. As G observed, there were perhaps two strokes in the entire innings that weren’t exactly right. G said he enjoyed watching him; the ring of Racqueteers posted on the boundary, and our pace attack, found it less pleasurable, as he cruised comfortably past his 100.

But then Sepia got him out with his customary flight and guile. And so the game’s second quarter began: the quarter in which our slow bowling triumphed. Coombe Bissett went from 175 for 2 to 199 for 5, and finished with 226. The Skipper, who was on song, got his five-for: 5 for 35, that is, and remarkably, all five were bowled. Sepia’s 3 for 32 were all clean bowled as well. In fact, apart from one take behind the wicket by G (off Tom Talks, 2 for 44), every wicket was bowled. There were other striking stats: in the entire 40 overs we gave away only one extra, a wide.

So to the third quarter. Our first batsmen were unlucky or rash. The Bard (19) hit a few quick boundaries before coming down the pitch to drive – into the capable hands of mid-on. Ed F, Flipper and Jules lost their wickets early – all bowled.

Then the Skipper (39) and Tom Talks (a commanding 69 off 85 balls) came in, and everything changed again. It was a long last quarter, if there is such a thing: this pair batted with patience, intelligence and confidence, wisely playing for the draw. When the skipper was caught, and Tom Talks was bowled, it was left to the President (1), G (1), Head of Salmon (8 – and looking like scoring more) and Sepia (1) to steer us to the conclusion.

It was a well-won draw, after a bruising start, and perhaps the only disappointment was that Jazz did not get to bat. Her precise and impressive performance in the field suggested that her batting might be something to watch.

Coombe Bissett were excellent hosts, and we look forward to returning to their lovely ground.

Result: Draw