Friday before Tiger starts with a series of upper level confusion in the midst as with the national level players returing home and mixed messages being sent to the states by the selectors (NSP - yes Merv, you and your mates that don't have Foxtel) with Manou allowed in SA and McDonald not in Vic (despite not playing a match on tour - don't try to work through the logic, a mind like a pretzel is required). How this impacts the Lions is that if McDonald gets cleared and plays Max1 returns to our starting XI which creates a cascading effect down the chain. End result being the possibility that one slumbering Lion Cub, dreaming of Tiger conquests, may receive the news that he is to be rotated out.
Anyway come 8.30pm on Friday no news received. Enquiry made to higher level gives an update that nothing can be confirmed until the morning, expected to be by 9.00am. Great, this adds another layer of match day complexity and possible disruption. Text message sent to Skipper Dick (hate this sort of communication on game eve that can cause waste of emotional energy) and head home from BBQ in Mooroolbark with the touring Austrians.
Daylight, wake up early and cross road to new cafe for the heavy caffeine fix wearing my new Lionel Messi Barcelona shirt (cheap Chines replica purchased on tour by youngest son, fits so snug for a XXXXL) and make a poor attempt at reading the sports pages waiting for the phone call.
9.00am - nothing
9.10am - nothing
9.20am - nothing
9.28am - kit packed, moving through house getting stuff together, need to make a comfort stop - what happens whilst mid activity - phone rings, message left
9.31am - as punching in number for message Skipper Dick calls - no news, have message, will call back pronto.
9.32am - play message, all clear, Max1 stays in and no changes required - deep exhale. Information conveyed and off to Punt Road we journey.
Arrive at Punt Road to find lost Jayme (helper for Alycia) unable to locate an entrance. Past experience of no use to me as I go in the normal (but wrong) direction to learn that Punt Road actual now has a hole in the fence for entering. Ok, this now done and proper introductions for Jayme to the group, warm up completed in verty humid conditions with zillions of swarming mites that clog the sweated brow. Max1 leaping around like a playful hound, another day of sideline support for him. Toss done and opposition inserted, seems a good call as Furious breaks through in the first over.
Resident Emo, out with a damaged fetlock, takes command of the scorers bench with Roger having to receive a tow home for vehicle changeover. The lad with western heritage keeps all entries neat as I take over with Big Robbo having every possible cricket match in the universe covered. As Moose takes the second, I have a chance to properly observe the arena from a different viewpoint with the social club now demolished and the portable palace in place. The actual surroundings are quite effective, even though temporary in nature and the Tigers need to be commended for their efforts here.
Contact around the grounds uncover the Lions are bowling everywhere but most pitches are not as green as the one we are viewing. Torch comes on as the Badge has completed his first spell that gave enough encouragement, especially since most of the balls were delivered to Blizzard. A few half chances to the Torch give early hope but it is not until later in the midst of the afternoon that he takes his first and will finish with a bag of five.
MyoKimbo has crashed through the Tiger middle at home and with Dyno Bells locking down one end should be able to get a grip. Lions at Central finding it difficult, missing the containing skills of Vardichin and we may have got the spin mix not quite right here. Brigadier Mitchell laments all day from scoring position that conditions are beyond ideal for batting.
Leave for the Planet with the Tigers establishing a middle order foundation and the attack missing Max1 spin wizardry, suitable deck for his ability and mental note made about review decision to send opposition in when he is absent. Wait in rooms as 2nd XI enter, scoreboard looks to have been hammered in the recent half hour and the despondent nature of the multiple cap throwers as they enter support this. Runs leaked from 5/120 to 5/231 with much lock down effort needed.
Down bottom, effective rotations including DKP have turned the Tigers from 1/119 to 8/185 but some late hitting (edges) gets them to 249. Xavier Boy shares the poles with Flash Jack, both claiming three with low economy rate as well (pity at a later stage they both shared the same score with the stick - quack).
Dyno Bells doing his best to control the runs on top, eventually Fireman and a returning MyoKimbo knock over the remainder for 349 in the last over - would have been handy to batted for a few overs tonight.
Incoming report from Punt Road tells of a fight back from Tiger, mentally frustrating in that the main willow wielder is a charming fellow that I employ. We are unable to press the button fully with the 3rd XI in the same boat and a total of 300+ is the challenge, both teams not yet totally out.
Wonderful outcome that the Torch has bagged a five for, his second time in only nine 1st XI games bodes well for the future. Has paid greater attention to fitness this season, body is much stronger and is developing a pattern that when he can get through 20+ overs at a controlled run rate the wickets do fall his way. Here is hoping that the Torch does not succumb to any unforeseen injury as his best is needed at the moment.
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