What happened? |
There has been silence from everyone in writing as report about the first grade one day match against Fairfield last Sunday, but to maintain our standards there should be an explanation. Cricket is a funny game'.and importantly it is a game. Things seem to conspire against us for this match and everyone is keen to move on. (Will Smith during his 1 for 25 on Sunday) It started with Matt Nicholson and his wife Nat being confronted with every parent's nightmare, a very sick little son Jett in intensive care. Cricket is only a game and the Gordon Club is a family. Matt would be by his son's side and Beau Casson would take over the captaincy with Matt Michael coming in. Beau lost the toss and we knew that was important as the wicket would get slower and lower as the day wore on and scoring would be very difficult. Fairfield batted and batted well. We bowled good lines outside off stump and balls kept low, however their experience on their wicket showed and they ran very well. Then Beau tried to intercept a missile coming back at him and after frantic calls to the NSW Physio, Beau was off to have 4 stitches in a cut across the webbing of his thumb and first finger on his bowling hand. He was due to fly out the next day to play against Tasmania in Hobart. 246 runs was the end result and we would need to bat well without our captain and top 6 batsman. Enter Grant Lambert, nominated by Sam Buono as the best allround cricketer in Sydney for many years. A big call but who would argue wth Salvatore Buono. Grant coming from a higher delivery point than our bowlers and bowling straight on a wicket that by now was very variable in pace and height and as Grant said in his response to a journalist from the Sydney Morning Herald. 'It wasn't a good cricket wicket and things just went my way'.
(Brendan McDonald on Sunday) Iain Beverly came in at 7 and hit a drive in the air that looked like it was through the covers. An outstretched arm appeared and a magnificent diving catch was made to dismiss him. Did I say who caught it? Yes it was Grant Lambert. Brendan McDonald then joined James Packman who was holding up his end and they put on a few runs to give hope of a score of maybe around 100 or even avoiding one of the bonus points at 123. Unfortunately James was taken in the gully and after Jules was caught at slip it was left to Brendan and Dylan Connell to see out the match as Beau was away getting his stitches. It was time to bring back Grant so he could get 5 wickets. Brendan slashed a cut and another smart catch was taken in the gully. Grant had 5 for 6 off 7 and we were all out for 61. Maybe Salvatore is right.
(Bevo about to stump a Fairfield batsman off Brendan McDonald) It is pointless to say anything other than we were comprehensively beaten on the day by a better side, but as they say, there is always next week and the team will look forward to another opportunity against this very good side. Hopefully in the semi finals'at Chatswood. A thank you also to the Fairfield players who were very humble in victory and to the club's administrators who put on a sponsor day at Rosedale and kindly provided lunch for our team and supporters. And the good news.. Jett Nicholson is now out of intensive care and on the improve. That's what everyone wanted to here. The Webmaster P.S. Grant Lambert finished with 0 for 40 off 8 overs in Tasmania's second innings in Hobart with 5 wides. Cricket is a funny game. |
What happened?
Grant is very humble and sure things did go his way but he knew how to use the wicket and bowled very straight and fast. Soon we had stumps falling over and pads in the way of his direct deliveries and four of our top order were in the pavilion for almost single figures. Matt Michael was then run out with a throw that was well wide of the stumps and was literally deflected onto them by Grant in his follow through. It was certainly his day. Surprisingly after 6 overs Grant was given a rest. However Fairfield captain Tony Clarke obviously knew better. 
A quick call was made to Graham King and'phew' we had scored 54 against Bankstown previously in a one dayer and there were four or five other first grade scores less then this including a 40 in a first grade final in Dick Guy's time. That was only cold comfort as the team packed their bags and left for home in a sombre mood.
