Cavaliers CC 2nd XI vs Boston Bulls Kings May 7th 2023

Kings dethroned by Cavs revolution
By James Fry

After an offseason that contained no small amount of drama by Cavs standards it was time to play some cricket. Jazzy had resigned as 1st XI skipper, Pete Hawthorne retired from the 1st XI, the Turds were flushed down the toilet, new grounds came and went (and at time of writing Rowley is still not under construction) Tewksbury is back, Boom Boom (or should that be Yo Yo?) is back in the Bs along with Manraj Gill, the remnants of the Turds joined the Bs, Nathan Green sold his house, Arjun Verma is moving to the UK, Mark Wright has a new beach and there is a new Alpha male Aussie in town, Jack Preddey, although his cameo in Philly was restricted to the bar leaving a depleted Dad’s Army to soldier on.

If I had a dollar for every conversation I’ve had about why Cavs 3rd XI was discontinued I’d have enough for a couple of beers and a chicken sammie at Lord Hobo. The first match underscored why this consolidation is in the best interests of our unique club dynamic. Only 6 players were available from last year’s B squad and this XII was supplemented by 3 former A players- Hawthorne, Gill and Boom and 3 former C players Fry, Fry and Alfred. Two leagues sides and a robust Social XI will bring the club back into a healthy balance.

It was a particular honor that Mark asked me to Captain the Bs for the first time since my last year skiperring them in the 2018 season. Fittingly it was a return to a familiar ground where a Cavs B XI that year fought back from being bowled out by Boston Bulls Knights for 67 to win a thriller by 25 runs. Survivors from that match were Fry, Parth, Boom and Smit and Pratik (who was lurking on the boundary).

https://www.mscl.org/matches/scorecard/555fbe7a463cb41c945a8495

As the match began tales of Philly were pouring in with Master “who needs pads” Barlow at the center of much of the on field and off field shenanigans. Tour report to follow. Jason Alfred summoned half the team to help him carry his coolers across the field. Beer, truly, gatorade, water. And he wasn’t even match manager. $2 credit. Bringing Michelob Ultra $4.

The master plan started with Fry winning the toss not once but twice as the first toss rolled off the wicket and their Captain insisted on tossing again. Tails never fails, and the ‘tosser’ reluctantly accepted he would be fielding.

The game plan was simple, score160+ , bat 40 overs, and use our deep bowling attack and spry fielding unit to lead us to victory. Things started well as Pete and Smit milked the extras, rotated the strike and when Kings were stupid enough to bowl in Pete’s wheelhouse the ball was dispatched to the boundary with venom including one laser shot six over midwicket. Great to have Pete in the Bs. Smit, Bilal and Manraj departed to leave the Cavs 76 for 3 at the first drinks break. A solid foundation but wickets a concern with our depleted batting line up 5 that was missing Mark, Carl, Vidit, Shilpin, Hoyle, Lawrence to name a few.

Pete upped the tempo after the break but by the 24th over both he and Samir were back in the hutch 115 for 5. Still another 16 overs and 180+ still a possibility. KC nudged, scurried and scampered with Boom, and Fry but a mix up saw Boom run out by a mile and KC bowled by the talented leggie. Fry did his best impersonation of Carl Ashley minus the sun tan, muscles and pedigree but valuing his wicket and running well between the wickets, but to no avail as Parth, Akaash and Jason fell in quick succession to leave him stranded on 6 n.o. Akassh was given LBW when he clearly snicked the ball. More on that later. 146 all out. Slightly under par but with a deep bowling attack Old Skip was bullish on victory.

Boom Boom was given the luxury of the new ball along with club Dominican, Jason “Alfie” Alfred but Kings raced to 35 for 0 off just 34 balls in part due to two drops. The first a towering top edge that Pete inexplicably decided to leave for Jason who did well to get hands, chest and knees to it before it hit the ground. Things changed in a hurry as Boom castled two and had another caught at a running 1st slip having earlier hit the batsman in the helmet. 39 for 3 after 6.1 overs and game on. Anand Patel steadied the ship for Kings and some particularly short bowling from Alfie led to a few boundaries. Will Fry came into the field and along with Smit and Samir showed a high degree of energy and willingness to put their bodies on the line. Smit stopped one particularly hard drive with his gonads…ouch.

Debutant Akaash Devnani came into the attack and expectations were high after he had bowled jaffas in the practice nets to Jacques and Raghu to dismiss them both on edges. His first ball was horribly short but the batsman top edged it and was caught well by Boom. Shit gets wickets and Akaash joined a very exclusive clubof players who have taken a wicket on their first ball for the Cavs. Take a bow David Kenwary aka angry rabbit. Akaash though settled into his rhythm and bowled a very dependable line and length.

Boom then induced back to back snicks to the keeper that even the hard of hearing umpire couldn’t miss and his stylish finger didn’t delay in going up (easy Dempsey). 67 for 6 off 10.5 overs. Akaash was inspired and delivered his own snick to the grateful gloves of Hawthorne. KC joined the fray and soon had the tail bamboozled with two LBWs (batsman claimed he snicked it. Stiff shit brother.) and a clean bowled. The ICC are now investigating KC’s bowling action… again.

A resounding 50 run victory which allowed the team to relax with a few beers and some herbal remedies as Boom Boom was awarded Man of the Match, Jason Alfred received Quacka (Fry rejecting the “only top order batters can qualify” clause introduced by Marky) and Akaash made a fairly shoddy effort to down his virgin beer. Pete was fined for turning up late in order to get a tent he had left behind only to not actually set it up or even bring it to the field. Bilal was fined for shitting all over Sir Winston Churchill, a fine he was happy to pay, and Manraj should have been fined for laughing when Fry confirmed he was a staunch monarchist when asked. Samir acknowledged he owned a club cap but because the rest of the Patel mafia were not wearing them he didn’t wear it. Wear that cap with pride lad! 12th man Will Fry was club photographer for the day and fielded for most of the innings. $2 credit.

It was the perfect start to the season. A first league win in Division B as the Bs begin the push for promotion and the tantalizing prospect of a Cavs A/Cavs B head to head in 2024.

God Save the King or should that be the Kings?

Amicitia et Victoria

Cavaliers Cricket Club

Acton Field 1

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