Coco Claims 2000th Scalp as Cross Prove Too Hot for Currie

New midweek captain Alex Candlish's debut match report -

 

On what was a sodden evening in some parts of Edinburgh, luckily not Fortress Arbo, a HX midweek XI took on Currie-Balerno in the first midweek friendly of the season.

Arbo action from Thursday. Photo: BAF.

I have been called a t***** for most of my adult life (and my misspent youth) and that proved to be correct when I won the toss and chose to bat.

 

A much changed opening partnership of Elmondt and Butchy got HX off to a cautious start with some good bowling from CB’s opening bowlers. Once the openers were dispatched as well as Dave Munroe without troubling the scorers a fruitful partnership of 60 between Bimbo and new man Saideep, with some excellent wristy stroke play (not building on the previous euphemism in any shape or form), steadying the ship. Both were to retire reaching the magical 30 mark even though Bimbo miscounted himself to 28, he blamed me for that but the skipper is never wrong in a cricket match (see Shaun Pollock, circa 2003). After the retirements athletes-come-cricketers Danny, Graeme and Ross went within quick succession and brought myself and Dan Welsh to the crease, Dan boshed a quick fire 30 whilst I held up the other end for 3 balls, but what a 3 balls. Usama played some useful shots as did Saideep when he returned to the crease. HX posted a decent score of 135/7 off 20 overs.

 
After a quick turn around, Dan Welsh and Saideep opened the bowling, bowling tidy (Dan not robbing any wickets this time as he was forced to bowl at the opening batman) with both bowlers taking a wicket a piece (I think). Coco came on to replace Welsh and after two overs he was celebrating his (claimed) 2000^th wicket shortly after smoking his 2000^th cigarette of the month. Athlete-come-cricketer Ross Bailey bowled some tidy balls and soon took his first wicket for the cross, (just 1999 to go). Butchy and Usama were brought into the attack, with FB rolling back the years (is that a Simply Red song?) and Usama bowling a mixture of ¼ trackers, beamers and a few absolute peaches. Elmondt replaced Usama and was quickly in the wickets however, surprisingly, there were no vigorous appeals for balls sliding 12 stumps down legside from Holy Cross’s version of Albie Morkel.  Bimbo and myself were brought on to bowl the final overs out, both of us taking a couple of weeks a piece. HX eventually winning by circa 20 runs.

A thoroughly enjoyable game of cricket.

Thanks to Currie-Balerno for providing the opposition and all those who turned up on the night to play.