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The Cricket Gods returned from their nine week
mid-summer break to discover that Langley had won all
their games whilst they were away, and had risen to
second in the table. That's interesting they thought.
This needs further investigation. And so they did!
Gazing down upon a
resplendant Peover Lane ground with a perfectly
manicured square, they noticed the Groundsman slowly
chugging along on a roller as old as he was under a
straw hat the same colour as the track he was
preparing.
They then watched
with interest as he noticed a host of vehicles
hurtling into the ground at 12.30, a full hour and a
half before start of play. It was visitors Langley,
who were obviously making a statement, as they all
began their pre-match drills on the Chelford outfield
before the home side had arrived. What cheek thought
the Groundsman.
The Chelford boys
then arrived in their usual casual manner, a few here
and a few there, sarnie in one hand, pop in the other,
and watched rather bemused as their opponents charged
about in a clear attempt at intimidation. Interesting
thought the Gods, we'll watch some more.
Chelford skipper
Krish Bhardwa, then met the Langley captain Ian Platt
for the toss, and the 'God of Tosses' decided it was
to be Chelfords day as they had won none at home all
season. And so they did, with Chelford electing to bat
first on a flat batting track under leaden skies and a
cool breeze. This soon changed as the amount of hot
air that was expelled by Langley raised the
temperature to rather humid.
Openers Hash Vora
(20) & Andy Duffy (26) weren't a bit bothered though,
as they got Chelford off to a solid start. With Hash
finally dismissed by Matt Betteridge (3-56), in strode
Nitin Srivastava. "Ah ha" said the 'God of Batting',
"Today I will bestow Nitin with a wand of runs instead
of a bat". And so he did! 113 runs later Nitin
departed in only two hours of brilliant strokeplay. He
was given great support by Dave Mutch (20).
Clearly unimpressed
by things not going their way, several Langley players
got a bit overheated and abuse flew in all directions
led by D.Letven as he conceded 87 runs in 12 overs.
His 4 wickets an undeserved return for some poor
bowling. The Chelford innings finally came to an end
at 218-9.
The Gods nodded
approvingly, but decided to show their contempt at the
poor attitude displayed by the visitors and hurled
rain down on the ground for the duration of tea.
Chelford rushed out and put on the covers to protect
the pitch for Langleys reply. The Gods decided it was
a fine effort of sportsmanship. There would be no
tenth win for Langley, and punishment would be swift.
And so it was!
The 'God of Bowling'
then provided the seriously fast Shahid Yousaf (4-21)
with several thunderbolts and Langley didn't like
them. After ten overs they were 12-5! then 40-8, then
48 all out in just 22 overs. 'Mabs' Mahboob claimed
(4-25) at the other end with his usual guile.
Justice done said the
'God of Cricket'. Aye! said all.
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