PVB on the Threes

Paul writes -

When your side is all out for 34, you might not expect a report. Well, there is much to be happy with, not least the wonderful camaraderie and sportsmanship from both HX 3rds' nine and Edinburgh 3rds' eleven, both of whom appreciated the skills of the opposition. Well done Dave and Aasim for your excellent leadership in setting the right tone - and well done every player for playing the game in the right spirit.

Meadows 3 reminded me of Lords with the odd low bounce which Keith (2-28) found to great effect. Matt (3-30) at the other end was excellent too, diving for a c&b. The first change was a revelation - Matt Bywater (3-14) took the catch of the season, c&b off a full-blooded drive and bowled really impressively. Or was it the catch of the season? Keith, in preventing a third 6 off Paul's lobs, stuck out his right hand at long on and took another brilliant catch.

Meanwhile if there were fines for poor play my wallet would be rather bare, having dropped one on the boundary and been carted by the left-hander who ruined my theory of having the short boundary on the off (for the right-hander). My only consolation was that Joe Root had a (marginally) higher economy rate in the second innings at Lords (18 per over) than I did. Andy came on and grabbed a wicket first ball.

Edinburgh bowled really well. Several of us came and went but the ball was cutting about a lot off Irshad (4-2) who bowled all four victims, including a shooter that got Matt. Andy hit two powerful pulls for four (top score 9!), then Keith played a cover drive for four which brought a smile to his face, reminding us how he scored a bucketload of runs in the 1980s.

Would Michael retain his "not out" record? No - first ball. All out within 11 overs.