Slopes, LBW appeals, Hamstrings & Mortgage Yields 

“Some balls hold the line going up the slope, others hit the wicket and come back down. Batsmen didn’t really know which one it’s going to be as long as I got the length right.”: Sir James Anderson on the slope at Lords. 

Terry declared before the game, ‘a win (on the slope) against Findon is a great result!’ Well, the Greys didn’t just beat Findon, they absolutely battered them! 

Chris nearly defected before a ball was bowled and set up camp in the home changing room and at the same time, we were joined in the Grey’s changing room by a player who thought he was playing for us and his bowling certainly helped the Greys out later in the game.  

With a preference to have a bowl first (and possibly catch the Lionesses get the second biggest victory of the day), the Greys got their wish despite losing the toss.  

Tim Laing channelled Sir Jimmy and moved the ball down the slope and into the batsmen early on leading to several massive LBW appeals and despite the umpire getting fed up with me shouting behind the stumps, two eventually were given and were no less than the spell deserved.  

As a keeper, when you are standing up on a tricky pitch, there is a certain amount of luck. You try and move with the ball, anticipate where it might go and stick a hand out and hope something lands. So when a neat ball from Chris started to drift to the leg side, I took a chance, moved to the left only for the Findon skipper to tickle one down the leg side and into the gloves and secure me a PSM.  

Leading wicket taker Chris, got another to come off a top edge and loop up for a second caught behind in as many overs. 

Chris then showed why is also leading the catching charts, with a one-handed backpedalling catch to get debutant Mark his first wicket for the Greys as he, along with Louis, kept it tight.   

Terry came on at a difficult time to bowl as Findon looked to counter attack (including a neat innings from one of their players to reach 50) bowling a beautiful ball with his third to leave Findon six down.   

Dom bowled a nice ball which got the Findon half century maker and there was a lot of great running from Tim at the bottom of the slope which generally still led to boundaries but got to one on the bounce with a lovely one-handed stop. 

Dunc chipped in with his first runout* for the Greys with a direct hit from short fine leg to the opposite end. 

And there was still time for another wicket for Terry with the last ball of the innings, the batter charging before being stumped.   

The Greys would chase 161 to win and a Top Tier Tea followed.  

Findon opened up with two quick and decent (and young) opening bowlers, Jerry having all of the early strike before being bowled by one down the slope. Biff followed shortly after and the Greys were 10-2.  

Dunc and Dom started to build a partnership with Dunc hogging the strike, but there was a significant drop off in the standard of bowling at the first change with The Greys moving from 24-2 off 10 overs to 112-2 off 20 overs.  

Dunc continued to have the majority of the strike playing some lovely shots including a scoop over the shoulder from a full toss no ball, before moving to 50 with a clunk round the corner. 

Shortly after reaching 50, Dunc pulled a hammy and after trying heroically to continue limping up and down for a few balls, retired hurt for 57. 

Skipper Ben was called through for a run by Dom with one that went straight to the fielder and therefore was out after facing one ball.  

By this point, Findon knew they have been comprehensively outplayed, as the skipper, who didn’t move from slip for the entire innings, chatted with the keeper about mortgage yields and Tesla shares.  

I had a great view from the non-strikers end as Dom turned 180 degrees and hit the ball directly behind him to move to his 50.  

The Greys knocked it off with 9 overs to spare, conquering the slope and winning by 7 wickets in time to watch the second half of the Lionesses.  

DFWTMG 

Statto’s report

Bails deep into the season stats…
The mighty greys juggernaut rolls on with 11 wins from 16…equally juggernautine Chris F lays waste to the competition in the bowling and catching. Do you remember a bloke called Dumbo or something like that who used to win everything? Well he’s back…He’s had a pretty quiet season by his high standards but yesterday saw him chime in with his highest personal score for the season (63*) and with Biff and Jerry going cheaply and DD not playing it takes him up to 3rd in the batting and, if he can stay injury free, a strong contender to retain his batting crown. Special mention to Le Clunk who also scored his highest for the season 57 retired hurt.
Nothing to report in the lifetimes…
Next week it’s Withyham???

* running joke that every time Duncan does anything, it is his “first” run-out/catch/wicket/run/4/6/50/100 for the Greys.