Southgate Adelaide. Southgate Adelaide.
Match Report Date 11/08/2024 Oppo Southgate Adelaide (a) Type 40 Overs Report by E.Byrne (President still serving 12mth ban) Sunday 11th August marked a crucial day in the sporting calendar, as the world celebrated the end of the Olympics. As those who epitomise physical excellence walked through the Stade de France, Leyton Orient Supporters’ Cricket Club turned to their own very best. When they all said no, the XI for the friendly with Southgate Adelaide were called up instead. The sun was shining at the picturesque Walker Cricket Ground, which looked like an image from a postcard with trees lining the boundary and Christ Church overlooking in the background. Usefully, the O’s had 11 players in attendance in Middlesex for the fixture, a feat that was not to be taken for granted following Cook’s absence-without-leave the week prior against Theydon Bois. Cook was subject to a one-match suspension following the misdeed although a club spokesperson refused to confirm speculation that he’d accidentally tried to set his alarm via his phone’s calculator app. Nonetheless, his absence allowed for the return of Elliot Byrne and Joe Perry to the squad, the latter assuring club scouts that an alcohol intolerance meant he’d never repeat the mistakes of the aforementioned Cook. The duo were perhaps fortunate to be allowed back into the team following a dreadful display in their debut fixture, the club-record defeat to Theydon Bois last Sunday. Their combined bowling figures of 1-130 from 13 overs and two runs gained with the bat may have contributed to skipper Richardson’s decision to beg the hosts to bat first. After a week of intense training, the difference with the ball was immediately clear, with opening batsmen Tatakis and Hennington unable to score in the first overs with any meaningful speed. The mounting pressure led to Tatakis, Southgate Adelaide’s captain, from calling for a risky, third run following a shot to Hudson on the boundary. His verbal instruction to ‘run on the throw’ left his counterpart stranded, forced to watch Hudson’s trickling, bouncing throw run him out. While the hosts began to build some solid partnerships, President Mulholland caused problems with the ball. Utilising the merits of the pitch, he was finding extra bounce with his deliveries and took the wicket of Southgate Adelaide’s third batsman with Whittam's catch. There could have been more joy for the O’s but bowler Hiscock could only watch helplessly as the batsman played a golden catching chance… straight to Ollie Buck. Beyond his eight dropped catches prior to the game, the signs were already there that he’d struggle to break his catching duck when he attempted to clear the pitch of a balloon midway through the innings, only to suddenly find his hands covered in butter, or vaseline, or whatever other product that could make his palms so slippery. In truth, Buck’s effort was a strong attempt and he was unlucky not to keep his grip on the ball, diving to his right. It denied the batsman a single and Hiscock took his first wicket of the afternoon just balls later via a catch from Hudson at slip. Byrne was starting his spell at the other end, but looked initially unable to overcome his demons from the previous week with an expensive first few overs. Richardson highlighted his strong leadership by threatening to take the new addition off, which suddenly ignited his inner-Shane Warne (or Rehan Ahmed), taking two wickets. Tatakis took himself to a steady 50 before falling to another Hiscock blinder, a second that picked out Hudson at slip, and the O’s looked to round up the bowling in style. However, home batter Brett proved to be problematic with a quick and stylish 37, finding the boundary with regularity. His hitting was so impressive that Sir Jack Baker-Merry celebrated with a 360 degree cartwheel followed by a back-flip summersault and a completely unnecessary knee slide… or something like that. Fired up by the wicket, Baker-Merry was convinced he’d taken Cox LBW just balls later and when he (wrongly) believed the umpire hadn’t given the wicket, turned to scream his frustration, leaving the 13-year-old child trembling in fear (with his finger already in the air). The O’s rounded off their bowling display with the run out of Spratling by Richardson and the home side leading by 212 runs. It was at this point that the Orient team remembered that John Hayes was even fielding, having somehow not moved from his spot the entire innings. Parkes and Baker-Merry opened with the bat, but were both taken fairly cheaply as the Southgate Adelaide bowlers immediately made their mark. In what could only be described as a moment of madness by skipper Richardson, Buck was selected to bat at number three, proudly walking out having promised aggressive cricket in the style of England’s Baz-Ball. With a cockiness that even Ben Stokes could be proud of. Buck truly embodied the spirit of the England team, playing a beautiful shot for four before being removed for no further score. With his mission complete, Buck decided not to settle with the rest of his teammates at the boundary rope and after a short man-hunt and teary police press conference, he was eventually located playing a game of pool with the bored bartender. It can be confirmed, despite speculation otherwise, that it is possible for Buck to hit more than one ball in a given spell. Hudson continued to impress, this time with the bat, as he accumulated the majority of the O’s runs with a fine 39, but beyond Hiscock’s 19, no other player was able to reach double figures alongside him. Apparently Baker-Merry decided the only way to vent his frustration with the batting display was to locate the father of the umpire he’d verbally abused and left crying on the outfield, and attempt to knock him out with a cricket ball. He claims the near-miss was an ‘accident’ but only he’ll know the truth. The O’s were eventually bowled out for 108, a marked improvement from last week’s total of 56 and also comfortably above Somerset’s 58 in 28.3 overs against Middlesex in 2000. On that day, a little-known player called Marcus Trescothick hit a single solitary run and he turned out okay, so hope is not lost for Richardson’s pups. Next match vs Great Eastons on Sunday 18th August
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© Dave Revell