Washed Out, Full On Bayswater Detour With "Dirty Dirk"

Saturating rain, a blessing for so many but a frustration to cricketers, caused the T20 match against the Tigers on Grand Final eve to be abandoned the evening before. The early decision proved to be wise as further downpours surged across the city from early Friday morning that gathered with intensity.

An extremely slow journey along Canterbury Road to Bayswater for a closed session with the senior group, cabin space shared with recovered fast bowler Charlie Eppes freshly sporting a new haircut. Incoming call from a frustrated curator punctutated the football banter with the news that unlikely to expect any turf wicket for Sunday as well.

Increasing rain delayed arrival at Topline (massive apologies, should have allowed for conditions) with group being directed by Moose through warm up process, all accounted for and International Dirk imminent arrival confirmed.

As the batsmen prepared, bowlers identified their own individual stock ball, variations and development deliveries to share the knowledge amongst the pack - all documented for further reference. Furious gave an excellent overview of a variation he recently observed from Andrew McDonald after returning from national duties with fingers rolling down the seam.

First forty minutes structured to have two nets of genuine opening bowlers operating alternate with new balls - six opening bowlers (Fagg, Duckworth, Waterman, Motschall, Winton & Kimberley) who all have first grade wicket taking experience of substance, step back and draw a breath, the depth is real.

Shortly after the start, a designated time out for Skipper Dick to address the bats and Moose the flingers to remind all of the required intensity level of competitiveness. Hostilities engaged and purposeful intent locked in, the battle continued. Steepling bounce from Furious, edges created by the Moose and some body pounders from Winton combined with Dickson and Mash delivering an elevated standard of quality. Free hit instructions were interspersed to enhance the application of control under pressure.

International Dirk completed loosener and commenced his nominated spell of thirty balls (actually turned into around fifty) all combatants continued staying true to the task as Skipper Dick and Mash paired up. Panasonic came into the bowling mix and true to form drew all the attention in his direction with a wicket falling every ball - apparently. Questions were asked as to how many fielders he had in the hotel pool outside the ground. Meanwhile Stockdale, nursing a sliced thumb, was striking so fiercely his willow was in danger of losing timber.

As the bowlers and batters began to change over, Mash released a new tactic - right arm spinning away - delivering leg spin to right handers and off spin to lefties. The wrist spin variations being more than acceptable, positive food for serious thought.

As the end of allotted time drew near, the rain thumping down overhead, Furious took up the cudgels to be the recipient of ten balls designated as free hits to achieve 27 runs. Striking the second ball from Little Guus across the Ferntree Gully Divide gave early momentum, but some sensible control saw teh bowlers just get over the line.

"Dirty Dirk" (description with affection based on the vast number of online worship postings), gave a valuable insight to the bowlers about technical expectations of bowlers from recent experiences as an impact player in the shorter forms of the game - fully appreciated in the depth of detail by all.

Moose would not give in and had Eric return to the pads to finish working on special secret plans for future reference, all done and dusted as news filtered through about the Magpies coach resigning on season eve.