Calverton, Notts, 25th June 2000
Calverton won the toss and fielded.
Weather : Pleasant. Not hot or cold really.
Calverton returns to the card after a few years away, but it wasn't a return to a happy hunting ground. Crossy and Rob again missing. Steve Gaunt was back though and soon launched a couple of quality blows, including a big six. Not to be this week though, and he departed for 11, as did opening partner Deano. Paul and Jamie then took it nicely to 101-2 before Kiwi was out for 34. Birdy struck a few lusty blows before capitulating (sorry, I swallowed a dictionary yesterday) for 15, then Ben, Ant and Benno for 0 in 9 balls. Trouble at 'mill, youth. Alec was still padding up when he strode out, but he and Paul successfully protected Andy Gaunt and Scriv, Paul ending up a super 45 no, Alec with 19 no. 172 didn't look enough, really.
It wasn't. Opening bowler Smithurst turned into opening bat Smithurst, and took quite a shine to Andy Gaunt especially, reaching 50 with his 15th scoring shot, of which 4 were singles. Even spin god Benno struggled to contain him, but had his moments (9-2-36-4 was a top return). Scriv bowled a bit too short, as did Deano and although wickets fell pretty regularly at the other end, even with 8 down at the end (which flattered us a bit), it was always looking a loss for DCC. Smithurst finally fell for 89, 6th out at 165 (knackered I suppose) and it was all over in the 35th.
Better luck next year?