Outcasts 2020 Cricket Club

06/10/2024

Outcasts 2020 held their traditional Awards Dinner on the 4th October at what is now becoming their regular venue at Akbar's restaurant on Liverpool Street off Deansgate, Manchester. The number of attendees was a bit limited this year as the Khan lads were unable to be there because of a family bereavement, but a few diehards met up beforehand for a few scoops at Cask before moving on for the meal. Ten members made it in the end, including 'old timers' Colin and Ron.

A review of the season showed a depressingly large number of fixtures called off through bad weather. Chris had arranged 17 fixtures throughout the season, but only 8 of these actually went ahead. Of these, Outcasts 2020 broke even - won 4 lost 4. Sheraz, Stephen, and Rakesh were the main run getters; while Raj, Murt, David, and Sheraz (again!) took the most wickets.

A vote of thanks was offered up to Chris for arranging all the matches, Raj for sorting out the finances, Julian for compiling the score sheets and keeping all the records, Les (who sent his apologies) for his umpiring and umpire-cam duties, Josh for looking after the kit, David for captaining, and Ian - last year's POTY winner - for arranging the Awards Dinner bookings.

There were 6 nominations for the Golden Duck award - Chris, Julian, Raj, Sheraz, Josh, and David - but it was Chris who emerged as the clear winner on this occasion. Congratulations, mate.

Waqar and Zaheer were the only real newcomers for 2024 so the 'Best Newcomer' award was extended to include those who had joined in 2023 and played 5 games or less. There were five nominations - Waqar, Shaz, Naz, Stephen, and Zaheer. Waqar and Stephen came out as joint winners. Well done, lads.

The prestigious Player Of The Year award was an even more closely run affair. Nominations were received for Stephen, Raj, Sheraz, Rakesh, Josh, and Shaz. Voting was spread across all 6, with Stephen, Raj, and Sheraz coming out joint winners. Not sure how you'll share the trophy, guys!

13/06/2024

13/06/2024

High Legh C.C. v Outcasts 2020 C.C.
Wednesday 12th June 2024.
Played at Mere C.C.

Outcasts 2020 CC 104 for 3
High Legh C.C. 105 for 5

High Legh won in the final over with one ball to spare.

We’re into the second week of June and playing only the third fixture of the season. In a long career playing cricket I can’t recall such a miserable run of poor and wet weather so far into a season. The resplendent quintessential English village cricket ground of Mere C C once again played hosts to High Legh C.C. where we had a marvellous nail-biting final ball victory last season – would history repeat itself, would Shazad be our last over hero once again?

Well, we lost the toss and were invited to bat with Stephen and Sheraz doing the honours. Progress was steady without any dramas – the long boundary on all sides meant that 4’s were scarce to come by let alone any maximums. Unusually, the accepted norm for a 25 retirement was agreed but not enforced until the end of the over – that can prove profitable for a batsman with a licence to hit out without fear. Stephen and Sheraz kept pace with each other throughout and unusually both retired together around the halfway mark - Stephen on 28 and Sheraz on 26. This brought together two new batters to the crease – Josh and Naz and initially the momentum was lost. Josh had difficulty with what can only be described as a plank which should be consigned to the nearest firewood pile and so decided to change the bat a couple of overs into his innings. However, having had a near miss with a lob to mid-wicket, he played an almost identical shot a couple of deliveries later and found the same fielder who was grateful for a straightforward catch. Naz was joined by Raj who looked to get into his stride quickly with some shots to the leg-side. He had to have a moment to take on some water having felt the effects of running some ones and twos. Naz in the meantime was out leg before as he was stuck in his crease playing back to a delivery that hit him on a yorker length bang in front – one of the easiest LBW decisions I’ve ever made. Julian came in at 6 and tried his best to middle anything outside off but couldn’t judge the pace and bounce. Initially we lost our way at this point and the High Legh bowlers were on top. Raj eventually got his second wind and manoeuvred the ball in the main around the leg side – Julian keen to play a supporting role, although he did take advantage of a mis-field to run a 3. In the final over and to hoick the ball as far as possible, Raj missed and was promptly stumped, and Julian was comfortably run out in an attempt to add a second run leaving Adam to face the final ball which passed his bat by a long way. Shazad was stranded and so no last ball heroics this time – or maybe not?

Skipper for the night, Chris invited yours truly to open Outcasts reply. I’m not sure if this was done out of nostalgia, sympathy or confidence in someone who had intended to sit out the season, let alone open the bowling not having rolled the old arm of in twelve months! Anyway, predictably the first ball went a long way down leg for a bye – another umpire would have justifiably signalled a wide in sympathy to the ‘keeper, Stephen, who had no chance of stopping it. However, I managed to get out of the over with 5 on the scoreboard – not sure how that happened! Ian opened at the other end and wasn’t quite as fortunate. Having been buoyed by my first 6 deliveries I’m not sure who was more surprised to see the batsman’s stumps being rearranged with the first delivery of my second over – me, the batsman himself who had played on, or the rest of the on-lookers. So, the first breakthrough came in the third over defending a score that on paper was going to be difficult. Ian’s second over was a little tighter and my third was less so. The change of bowlers had an immediate effect with Josh taking a wicket and conceding only a couple, Shazad bowling a maiden with accuracy forcing the batter to defend each of the six deliveries. High Legh kept pace with the required run rate and at the halfway point there was nothing between the scores. The odd rotation of bowlers had the batters contained but they were steadily building their innings. High Legh’s number 3 batter Rowley F had steadily accumulated his way to his retirement in an assured innings, but his replacement soon went to a well taken catch by Chris – Sheraz bowling and sooner afterwards had a second – a caught and bowled from a similar skier. Raj in the meantime came on for a couple of fine overs – taking an important wicket and conceding just the five runs. Another tight finish loomed and with just 4 runs required off the final over Shazad was brought back – surely not another heroic last ball moment? A wide was awarded with his third delivery, then a dot with the fourth, but a clip to the leg-side was enough for the batters to run three and seal another close finish, this time High Legh coming out victors.

This fixture has proved to be most agreeable with our hosts hospitality and played in the spirit that social cricket should be – thank you to High Legh.

What pleases me is that the current team spirit is in-keeping with the age-old ethos of our team, despite the introduction of a number of new faces over the last year or so. I’m sure the ‘old’ Outcasts will be equally pleased to know that each and every one of them maintains this ethos, play with a smile on their face and accepting to play their part no matter what.

The next match is scheduled for next Wednesday 19th June at Lymm Oughtrington Park C.C. who will no doubt be as keen as ever to give us a good game. As I write this report, the weather forecast is set fair, so fingers crossed.

Hopefully see you all next week.

22/05/2024

Outcasts 2020 CC v Tonge C.C.
Tuesday 21st May 2024. Played at Winton C.C.
Outcasts 2020 CC 118 for 5 off 20 overs
Tonge CC 116 for 6 off 20 overs
Outcasts 2020 CC win by 2 runs.
“If you’d have been more alert, you could’ve had a seven for that”.
A number of comedy moments is reflected in this headline for Outcasts second match of a delayed season. Rain and ground conditions has denied us and many other teams from fulfilling fixtures at the start of the season and so it was good to return to our home ground, which is looking as splendid as ever, not least due to the excellent work done by groundsman, Mike. This game, following a narrow defeat against new opponents Failsworth Macedonia a couple of weeks back, gave us the opportunity to start a new winning streak.
Pavan and Julian opened the innings and were immediately faced with a hostile over from Tendy who bowled with accuracy and movement, but this was weathered reaching a partnership of 48. Pavan rode his luck at times in between some fine attacking shots. Julian had got off the mark with a nice pull to the square leg boundary. However, both fell in the ninth over which brought Rakesh and Ian to the middle to reset. Rakesh moved things along nicely and reached his enforced retirement to bring Zain to the wicket to join Ian. That partnership didn’t last long but not before the first comedy moment as Zain middled the ball to the long on boundary straight down the throat of the waiting fielder. The ball was spilled as they’d run a single and then fumbled granting them a second run; but the following throw was missed by the ‘keeper and with no back-up the ball carried on towards the 3rd man boundary, eventually trickling over - “If you’d have been more alert, you could’ve had a seven for that” was my immediate observation. Ian, just having stroked a nice shot through square, then took a shot from my copybook to try to hoick the ball into the stratosphere resulting as it always did with me in loosing middle stump; the second comedy moment. Zain was joined by Chris and as ever looked to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Chris eventually lobbed the ball up for the bowler to turn and chase the catch and Zain fell just short of his retirement, leaving Adam and Josh to see the innings out.
Tonge got their innings off to a reasonable start with Sharaz and Shazad opening the bowling. Rakesh donned the gloves in the absence of Steve J and Tom (where are you mate? – your reports are far more entertaining than mine). The breakthrough came courtesy of Ian’s second delivery, avenging his dismissal, and then a good stand saw Tonge move onto 66 in the 11th over where Pavan ‘s accuracy and pace earned him a wicket. More comedy moments ensued with a couple of fumbled run-out chances, but successive wickets from Josh helped put the brakes on Tonge’s attack with Chris chipping in with David, leaving Shazad and Chris to return to bowl out the match. 10 off the final over was just too many for Tonge to seal a victory for them, resulting in a close and enjoyable game topped off with pizzas and refreshments in the club house.
Next week we have our annual fixture at Bakewell – long been my favourite. Let’s hope the weather doesn’t scupper the day.

Apologies for any inaccuracies or to anyone who I may have missed out.

22/05/2024

Welcome back - It's the 2024 season!

Alas, rain has inevitably affected the start of the season with 3 matches called off. We lost or record winning streak a couple of weeks ago to Failsworth Macedonia in a close run game so we've got some ground to make up and get back on track. Our second match was played last night against our friends from Bolton - Tonge CC. Match report to follow

30/09/2023

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Outcasts 2020 Awards Night

Friday, 29th September 2023 saw a good turnout of Outcasts for the Annual Awards Dinner. Most of the gang met up at the Cask pub on Liverpool Road, Deansgate, for a few scoops before moving on to Akbar's Restaurant, booked by Murt, last year's Player Of The Year.
After a quite splendid meal, club members, all 16 of them, moved into the reception area of the restaurant, where it was a bit quieter, for the three club awards. Colin, our link with the 'old' Outcasts and regular MC for the awards, said a few words by way of introduction. He complimented all present for the turnout, and for the way the club had developed seamlessly into a multicultural, ethnically diverse, together group of players with a fantastic team spirit. On the field the season had been the best on record. Chris had arranged 16 fixtures altogether. Three had been lost to the weather, and one because the opposition couldn't raise a team. Of the remaining 12, 11 had been won, and the other abandoned as 'no result' due to a cloudburst at Broadbottom with Outcasts in a winning position (we'd have won on Duckworth - Lewis!).
There had been fine achievements with the bat from Tom, Sheraz, Pavan, and Zain, all of whom had topped 100 runs. Ian, Chris, and Tariq had excelled with the ball. Newcomers Tom, Stephen, Sheraz, Shazad, Shaz, Naz, and Ian, were all welcomed into the Outcasts 'family'.
Special mention was made of Murt for organising the evening's proceedings; Chris for his sterling work arranging the fixtures; Raj for keeping the accounts in order and acting as umpire on numerous occasions; Julian for compiling the score sheets and exemplary record keeping; Les for the umpirecam and regular umpiring duties; Tom, Julian, Chris and Les for their match reports; Josh for looking after the kit; and David Walsh (in his absence) for captaining 'The Invincibles', backed up by Josh, Tom, and Julian. It was then time to move on to the awards.
First up was the Golden Duck, the prize for the team member who wasn't necessarily the best with bat or ball, but who had contributed in other ways to the successful running of the club and never gave less than 100%. Julian, Chris, Taz, Raj, Les, Ian, and Shaz all received nominations for this award. Les finished runner up, but this year the award was shared between Julian and Chris. Congratulations to them both.
The second award was for the star newcomer , with Sheraz just ousting Tom and Ian.
The final award was for the prestigious Player Of The Year trophy. There were nominations here for Ian, Julian, Tom, Josh, Shaz and Taz. But in a closely fought contest Ian came out top, with Tom once again the bridesmaid. Well done to Ian and better luck next year, Tom.
All in all the evening was a highly enjoyable end to a very successful season. We look forward to 2024 with high hopes of continuing Outcasts 2020's unbeaten run.

17/08/2023

Game 13 Outcasts 2020 CC v Rammy Traders CC
Tuesday 15th August 2023. Played at Winton C.C.
Outcasts 2020 139 for 5 off 20 overs.
Rammy Traders 117 for 6 off 20 overs
Result: Outcasts are the invincibles!!

I love it when a plan comes together!
Most of us are probably old enough to remember Hannibal, BA, Mad Murdoch and Faceman. By some people’s metric, this fact might preclude one or two from continuing to play cricket at all. An associate of mine recently decided to lay down his bat at the mighty age of 34, I pity the fool!
What I’m getting at is that opportunities like this one, by virtue of innumerable variables (including age), are quite unusual. The three sisters of destiny were smiling as our predetermined fates brought each of us together to play out the final game of Outcasts 2020 TM season.

I didn’t expect to score only 4 runs, as it turned out my generous failure was partially responsible for allowing nearly all of our batsmen a bash at the fastest retirement. Stephen joined Pavan and was on his way, when he lost his wicket in unfortunate circumstances. Ian produced possibly his finest innings of the season slapping the hapless Traders around Winton’s heavily watered ground, eventually retiring on 26.
We lost wickets steadily, but with the scoreboard in mind, a strong tail, and everyone eager to give it a bash, it never felt as if we wouldn’t post a challenging total. Zain added to his growing collection of red inkers with a combination of gusto and watchfulness.
Special mention to Shaz – whose awareness and great running between the wickets, nicked us a few extra runs. Even better, he was also heavily involved in possibly the most ‘village’ incident I’ve ever seen with my own eyes!!
Rushing down the wicket to smash a floater (not to be confused with David’s at Brooksbottom – that would be messy!), he top edged towards the keeper, who somehow chose to avoid catching the slowly looping cherry. Obviously dazed by the sedate pace of the Traders bowling attack, Shaz stationed himself halfway down the track, almost willing the keeper to pick the ball (which had landed 3 or 4 feet from the stumps) up and complete the formality of the run out. The kindly glovesman had other ideas and instead of walking over and removing the bails, oddly chose to throw down the stumps from where he stood, this resulted in 2 over throws and much gratitude/laughter from the sidelines.

Wonderful times!

We finished on 139, and probably could have scored more. But I felt that with the wet pitch, not much value for shots and a fast deteriorating wicket, we certainly finished above par.

We opened the bowling with a pink ball to make the girls wink – but sadly for Stephen (who was audibly excited at the prospect of female spectators) they’d all wandered off to train in the nets.
Everyone did a great job containing the two youthful openers who appeared to have a few shots in the locker between them. Such was their level, and with us so dominant this season, I wondered if we might attempt to organise a game with ‘Rammy Children’ next year to complete the Ramsbottom triumvirate. They reached 69 from 10 overs, but with both England u15s having retired, I was confident we were ahead of the curve. Lots of good work done in the first 10, with Stephen, Murt, Tariq and Pav all contributing to keep the score manageable.
Zain did a great job considering he seemed slightly bemused at being asked to bowl, Mo bowled two fantastic overs which really helped to slow any momentum, and it was left to Naz (who bowled too straight and too well), Ian (Who I think let a catch go deliberately/tactically - yet to be confirmed), Sheraz (who’s stinginess did the most to break their spirits) and the ever reliable Shaz (who I kept back deliberately) to bowl us to indomitability.
Man of the match without doubt is Ian for his contribution with bat and ball, a wicket maiden with the penultimate over, following on from his great knock - a terrific way to end the season!
Thanks to Raj for umpiring and the superb curry, and Chris and Les for organising.
It’s been a lot of fun, who’d have thought that doing a bathroom for Murt in 2017 would have lead me to the Outcasts 2020, I’m sure everyone has a similar story. What struck me about the game on Wednesday was everyone pulling together in the field, there’s a real togetherness in the group which has grown as the season has progressed, all of us contributing to creating a great atmosphere and culture (I suppose it helps that half of the team is related!). I
I’ve likely played in technically better sides, but this is my A team.
I’m not sure whose plan this is – but I like it!!

10/08/2023

Game 12 High Legh CC v Outcasts 2020 CC
Wednesday 9th August 2023. Played at Mere C.C.
High Legh 116 for 3 off 20 overs.
Outcasts 2020 117 for 8 off 20 overs.
Outcasts win by 2 wickets.
Last Ball Thriller in the Dark.
High Legh will probably be feeling that they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last night, and many wouldn’t argue with that. However, this Outcasts team have more than proved themselves to be resilient and determined. Yes, I agree we should never have allowed the opposition to dominate as they did for large parts of the match, but the modern Outcasts track record this season demonstrates a belief and desire to pull out the extraordinary. More of this later.
It was good to get back out onto the cricket field without having to continually check the weather forecast and be looking to the heavens in the hope of getting a game in after the last few weeks of what seemed continuous rainfall. A new venue for Outcasts – Mere C.C. presented an idyllic scene on a large playing area surrounded by trees on all for sides. The pavilion reminds us of a traditional club with proud heritage and High Legh themselves came across as a friendly and jovial group who play the game in the spirit we would want. High Legh won the toss and elected to bat – somewhat a delayed start from the 6.00pm we’d hoped for, and so light would be a problem later in the evening. With this in mind, Outcasts didn’t particularly help themselves as they sauntered between overs.
Shazad and Pavan opened up and Pavan soon had a wicket caught by Murt at backward square leg, but there then followed some sound batting from High Legh to see three retirees taking the score to 83 off 15 overs until the next wicket fell – Pavan this time taking a catch off the bowling of Shaz. A couple of catches went down at this point which, on another night, would have been comfortably pouched and there was perhaps one particularly simple run-out missed from Stephen’s bullet arm from the boundary, but at the end of the innings 116 would be a target that would not usually trouble this Outcasts team. Chris was standing in with the gloves as our regular stumpers Tom, Steve J and I gather Rakesh who has done well in a couple of games were absent on the night, but only conceding 4 byes and 2 leg-byes should be considered good. The wides however, with a couple of no-balls could have been decisive.
As expected, the light was fading by the time Julian and Ian strode out to the middle and High Legh started with pace. Ian’s rush of blood in the first over ended with his timbers being rearranged and thus sort of set a pattern. Julian went in the second over to what he thought was a full toss no-ball, but from where I was stood at the bowlers’ end and from Raj’s position at square leg it was deemed legitimate. In Julian’s defence I could see that he made a subconscious decision that it may well have been high as he played at it late, but as he was standing in his crease and the ball hitting about four inches below the top of off stump, I don’t think it could have dipped that quickly. However, with Stephen and Chris now at the crease the score gathered a bit of momentum – Stephen accelerating to 16 with 3 well struck boundaries. But, lady luck once again dealt the opposition a helping hand as Stephen blocked out a full delivery only for him to see the ball creep under his bat and roll onto the stumps to gently dislodge the bails. Chris in the meantime was struggling to time a decent shot and when he played one off his pads and sort of started a run – lack of call from Murt at the other end didn’t help and Chris was run out by the keeper. Lady luck again perhaps? Certainly she definitely wasn’t on Murts’ side as she again put in an appearance, although the boundary rider who caught the absolute screaming catch would argue against any luck in holding onto the ball that was otherwise destined for a maximum. Pavan started positively as is his custom, but he too can consider himself unlucky to be bowled down the leg side, and so Josh who was skipper for the night and Shazad found themselves having to build the innings at 50 for 6 off 11 overs. They were going well until High Legh brought on their slow bowler. Now, I’ve been around long enough to know that bowlers who bowl high slow pies get wickets. Indeed, over the years we’ve had players in our team who do just that. The fact is that decent batters just cannot cope with such deliveries – I’ve seen many good batters just all at sea trying to smash a perceived pie into the stratosphere. Such was Shazad’s fate – in came the looping delivery, possibly with ice on it, Shazad’s eyes lit up as he played three shots before it reached him, then pitching in-line and hitting the middle of middle. Oh dear! 50 for 6 was soon 65 for 7 from 12 overs. Time for a captain’s knock and some heroics from Sheraz. 77 off 14, 86 from 15, 94 off 16 – could it be possible? It became a run-a-ball situation, then a bit of a lull, but 10 runs in the 17th over including a fabulous maximum from Sheraz got us back in the game. Then came the dreaded enforced retirement of 25 for both batters – exactly when we didn’t want it. Two overs left with Naz and Shaz new to the middle in very dark light conditions – 3 off over 19 had the opposition brimming with confidence. 7 required from the final over – a couple of singles was all that we could find from the first three deliveries, then a wide, then Shaz was comfortably run out looking to be positive. One ball remaining - 2 to tie - 3 to win, the field having been set back to defend the boundary came back in to stop any run, Sheraz returns back to the crease – one ball 3 runs, thanks a lot! The bowler steams in – it’s a full-toss, Sheraz heaves a massive swing – NO-BALL is called by Raj at square leg, no matter - the ball sails to the third man boundary with fielders desperately chasing after it – would they be quick enough. Well, no it didn’t matter, Josh and Sheraz had run three – the ball may have crept over, but no matter, the game had been heroically won by Outcasts as soon as Josh and Sheraz had run the first two with the no-ball. And so, there it was - defeat from the jaws of victory for High Legh or a victory from the jaws of defeat by Outcasts 2020 CC – you decide.
There we have it – a fitting end to Outcasts calendar for season 2023 – one of the most memorable I’ve had. This was a game played in good spirits that tasted all the sweeter for the victory in a season where we’ve gone undefeated. Can we choose a man of the match? Well, there was only two contenders – a captain’s knock from Josh who got the innings to where it needed to be or Sheraz for his heroics and calmness under the most trying conditions. I can’t choose and I know others who witnessed the match won’t either. Well played everyone.
There might be another fixture next week so don’t put the kit away just yet – after-all we are on a momentous roll.

24/07/2023

Game 11: Outcasts 2020 CC v Rammy Dads CC
Played at Brooksbottom CC
Wednesday 19th July 2023

Outcasts 150 for 2 from 20 overs
Rammy Dads 145 for 3 from 20 overs
Result: Outcasts win by 5 runs

After the week ten wash out and overcoming the disappointment of not being able to travel to one of our favourite away days at Bakewell, it was time to visit the legendary Brooksbottom slope for the second time this summer (scene of the now infamous Poo-gate saga!) – this time Rammy Dads, not Rammy Traders, were to provide the opposition. This promised to be a stern test of the unprecedented unbeaten run that Outcasts are currently enjoying; Dads have only lost one fixture in 2023........the match at Clifton earlier this year against Outcasts! The fact the game actually went ahead was nothing short of miraculous given the recent weather conditions, it seems like we fortunately caught the eye of the storm for a couple of days and it's a case of fingers and toes crossed for the reminder of the summer.

There was heavy traffic on the M60 which meant only about eight Outcasts were present for the toss. It was suggested (by this author) that the toss be dispensed with and Outcasts bat first in order to just get the game underway; however, Dads were adamant a toss should take place and desperately wanted to bat first. So, in the absence of regular captain, David, who is still out of action due a dodgy "ear" infection acquired from a recent Benidorm excursion.......what happens in Benidorm stays in Benidorm Mr Walsh – your secret is safe with us, stand in skipper Tom was sent out (somewhat reluctantly) to perform the honours. He did so with strict instructions to win the toss and bat first, which he did so we did!!

Onto the game and with shadows already looming at 6:15pm Tom decided to open the batting with the returning Steve Judge, who himself had just returned from the exotic climes of Bali and miraculously had not picked up some dodgy infection! By this time Josh had arrived and assumed the captaincy role (much to Tom's relief), and Murt and family also appeared at the same time (from now on The Khans are to be referred to as The Anthill Mob!).

What followed was a watchful, steady start by the Outcasts openers on an artificial pitch that mostly plays low. Tom eventually fell for 17 trying to push things along in his usual manner, bowled in the fifth over with the score on 26. This brought Murt (Anthill #1) to the crease and he made his intentions known from the off; he was in for a good time and not a long time! He strode to the retirement score of (in his case) 28 in only fifteen balls, finishing with a viciously struck six over the ludicrously short mid wicket boundary. This imperiously hit shot produced one of the comedy moments of the season thus far when the ball struck the pavilion only a couple of metres above the Outcasts waiting on the side-lines; sending them all scuttling away as if someone had lobbed a live gr***de within their vicinity!!

Sheraz (Anthill #2) then joined Steve and both of them made their way to retirement with little drama. This brought the returning Paul Kidd to the wicket, looking rather dapper in his brand new Outcasts shirt – which had been an integral part of Josh’s car since being produced! His innings was more tentative which was understandable seeing as it was his first since last summer.

However, he rarely looked in trouble and kept the score ticking whilst punishing the bad ball. Joining Paul was Tariq and do I really need to tell you all how he batted?! It's Taz chaps!!! Like Murt, he made his intentions known from ball one and hit one immense six over the long on boundary, endangering the houses bordering that particular part of the ground. Incidentally, two of those houses are, perhaps unsurprisingly, up for sale so if anyone has a spare 450,000 British pounds.......just ensure blast shutters are fitted for when Taz is in town!! When Tariq went after going after one to many and was bowled for 12 it was left to Pavan and Ian to close out the innings with a respectable, though in recent times a little below par on this ground, 150 for 2.

Would that be enough?

In a break with recent tradition Tom relinquished the keepers gloves, passing them to Steve who as we all know is no slouch behind the sticks. The Dads openers marched to the pitch knowing a good start would see them reach their 151 target; Outcasts needed some tight early overs. To that end Josh opened with Shazad (Anthill #3) at the selling houses end and Tariq taking over number two.

The opening six balls conceded a meagre single run whilst Taz opened with a fabulous wicket maiden, poor batter Martin just couldn’t cope with such ferocious pace and accuracy and did passable impressions of the pro Strictly dancers throughout his brief stint at the wicket! All in all those first four overs produced fifteen runs so all going to plan for Outcasts thus far.

Skipper for the day, Josh and the ever enthusiastic Ian took over the bowling and were even meaner with their figures – going for four and seven respectively. So, with eight overs bowled Dads were sub thirty and Outcasts had achieved that much sought after tight start.

Next up was the usually dependable Murt as Josh was looking to build on the good start. However, Murt produced an extremely uncharacteristic off colour erratic over, taking some tap and conceding thirteen from those initial six balls – a true collectors item! Paul bowled his first deliveries of 2023 at the opposite end but suffered a similar fate due to the Dads batters now becoming emboldened and much more expansive; to be fair they had to have a go so it probably didn’t matter who sent the deliveries down at this point. Murt went for twenty six off his pair of overs and Paul twenty three. On a positive note for Mr Kidd he did pick up one of the few wickets to fall so every cloud.......

Josh attempted to regain control of the run rate by turning to Pavan, who is having a very good summer with both bat and ball at this point. His initial over gave away six runs so just what was required – in fact he only went for seven from his twelve balls so a most excellent contribution and a continuation of the aforementioned good form .

Being without the gloves meant Tom had to bowl which by his own admission, could produce entertainment on either of the extremes scale! He was unfortunate to be bowling these debut balls at some really brutal hitters so finishing with twenty five from two overs wasn’t too bad an outcome and doesn’t tell the full story.

By the sixteen over mark it was beginning to look a little uncomfortable for Outcasts who in all fairness had contributed massively to their, after eight overs, unexpected struggle. There is an old saying, catches win matches! And, with varying degrees of difficulty - some being quite straightforward and some being worldies if taken, Outcasts spilled five or six catching opportunities. Couple that with some lax fielding (not helped by the severe Brooksbottom slope!), and the team were in danger of throwing this outstanding unbeaten run away!

However, cometh the hour.....

Sheraz took on the bowling for over seventeen and produced a most welcome return of two singles, only conceding six from his two overs in total – a superb miserly return and most timely.

This left Julian to loop in the final overs from the opposite end. I say loop because those of us of a certain vintage will remember the legendary Outcast, Peter Taylor and can see similarities in the bowling action. Like Peter, Julian tosses the ball high and slow and you can see a batters eyes illuminate as they lick their lips. Also like Peter, this often ends up with the batter either missing the ball completely or horribly mis-timing the shot resulting in a meagre scoring rate and some very important wickets. This was how events materialised.

Going for fourteen in his first over meant squeaky bum time and Dads entered the final over of the game needing a very gettable seven runs; a position deemed unlikely after those first few overs. However, due to the retirement rule Dads found themselves with skipper Chris and Mark at the crease – neither of them reknowned for l***y hitting; all their big hitters were marooned on the side-lines helplessly looking on.

So, after Julian’s initial five balls only going for an impressive two runs it left Chris Dixon needing to clear the ropes with the final ball and for Outcasts, one more legal delivery. Once again, cometh the hour.........the result: a win and a continuation of the unbeaten run by the narrowest of margins.

There was the usual post match pie and peas which felt quite odd with absence through illness of Two Pies Cooper and good natured drinking, always an enjoyable fixture here. Next up is a second visit to the Lymm micro climate and by a word of warning everyone, Lymm will still be smarting from their unexpected defeat in the opening game of this summer. They’ll be gunning for us and if that catching/fielding display during this game is repeated then we will get punished.....severely!