Bang 3

PVB writes - Drummond arrived early but Ken kept them waiting until 1.50 - good tactic that! Ken looked like an overloaded mule as he arrived with several holdalls carrying mugs, kettle, food, drinks, kit and everything but the kitchen sink - such are the joys of captaincy.

We won the toss and decided to bat on an extremely slow wicket. Ken missed an early one which cut away and clipped the offstump - I reckon it was good enough to get Tendulkar out (with or without a virus? - Ed) - and Irfan was soon lbw. Meanwhile PVB got off the mark with a streaky inside edge and it was left to Amjid to show his batting ability with sound defence followed by several lusty blows including an almighty straight six which brought a huge smile to his face and allowed PVB to prod and poke until drinks.

Following Amjid's rapid 24, it was time for Mike. The first thing he said to PVB was that he thought cover was a little deep and maybe the odd quick single was on. Saner Crossers might have urged caution but PVB, throwing caution to the winds, said "Go for it". Sure enough, Mike's first ball was hit straight to cover and a nippy single ensued, followed by ever more ludicrous runs including one to short gully. OK, maybe we should have been out a few times but it livened up proceedings. At the other end, PVB was applying the long handle until he trudged off, caught at mid-off. But no, Pietersen-like, he was recalled from the dead by the astute umpiring of Lawrie and McGill who spotted that an Alan Matthews-style beamer had caused his downfall.

PVB (83) and Mike (32) could see Matt warming up with intent on the boundary so as soon as the 100 partnership was achieved, PVB made way for the Kiwi who hit the most glorious six in an undefeated cameo.

Only a good team would get 193, we thought. But the Drummond openers were stylish, as if showing the coastal-eroding Cross openers how to take command of an innings. It was impressive stuff as first the odd pie and then good length balls were skilfully dispatched. But, fortunately, they kept losing wickets - the first when Abdul held a very good catch at deep mid-on. Dave got the three key wickets, helped by a smart catch by Irfan who kept wicket admirably and let no byes through - how many keepers do we have? Time, then, for McGill and Ellis to slow things down. Then we saw the benefits of youth (What? From McGill and Ellis? - Ed) as Iain Oliphant (Oh, I see - Ed) took two catches, one diving full length, and whipped in a return to run out the DTs' best bowler - rather like some of Billy Bowden's decisions on day 5 of the Test, the call of not out was met with astonishment. Perhaps it shouldn't have been such a surprise - Richard had already been no-balled for not having any part of his foot in front of the return crease ......

Enter the smiling Abdul, now nicknamed Deadeye, as he threw the stumps down three times, one of which resulted in a run out as the batsman hesitated. All in all, the team spirit was marvellous, just as one would expect from any HX side, and the fielding first rate (just as one wouldn't expect - Ed), helped by Ken and Coco who set an astute field. Coco kindly gave Drummond some hope with his first ball which was carted for six, but no more gifts ensued and he and Richard put a stranglehold on the opposition. Iain then showed us his skill with the ball by taking the last wicket and the leaders, all out for 128, had lost for the first time this season and sportingly acknowledged that they had been beaten by a better side. Crosstastic!