Musselburgh CC v Dunfermline Carnegie Cricket Club First Team on Sat 31 May 2008 at 13.00
Dunfermline Carnegie Cricket Club Lost 6 wicket defeat
Glorious sunshine embraced the Carnegie boys as they danced their merry way around Edinburgh in their new cars on Saturday morning. The team were missing their vice skipper, but were buoyed by the returning Harris and new signing Zubir Ahmed.
Arriving in Musselburgh we were greeted by a picturesque ground but a long outfield and green wicket. Mitch lost the toss and Musselburgh seemed very pleased to insert Carnegie to bat.
Mitch and Barney started off facing some quality bowling on a crazy wicket that made Pitreavie seem like a perfect wicket. Our guys saw off some good balls, some terrible bouncers and when they hit it, the ball was stuck in the long grass. No value for money here. The openers dug it out for 19.2 overs and edged their way to 45 when Barney got out to Andersons last over, going after a half tracker and rocketing the ball into mid wickets mid riff.
Mitch and Gary took advantage of the change bowler and some strange fielding layouts to score here and there for a while until Gary fell playing a leading edge to cover who took a sharp catch.
Harris came in and fell LBW quickly.
Pike joined Mitch but soon ran his partner out.
This kicked off a Carnegie collapse, not seen for a wee while
Musseblurgh brought on a leg spinner. Now, in ESCA, leg spinners normally turn it straight. This lad could turn a ball, and he had a mix of balls as well, this was good true wrist spin bowling. It did Graham, Bob and Jason in a 4 ball period.
Nelly joined Pike at the crease and he attempted to stave off the tide of wickets by defending everything and anything. Nelly and Pike put on a few runs and began to be able to pick off the spinner (despite Nelly missing a flipper - I still dont know how that didnt hit the stumps). Sadly, Nelly went after a short ball that was there for cutting and couldnt get his hands over the ball and it went to point.
Owen came and went, but I missed it as I blinked.
Zubir came out for his first bat at 11 and was cruelly left last man standing as Pikey swung and missed. Sorry Zub - rules are rules, deducted 25 fantasy points for being 0 not out!! We are a cruel lot
So, 84 to defend. And on that pitch, who knows? 120 was the top score n the past 12 months, so we still had a shout
Nelly and Gary opened. Both were economical, but couldn't take any advantage of the pitch and the ball wasn't swinging for Carnegie's swing kings. 0 for 7 for Nelly and 0 for 6 for Gary.
Harris replaced Nelly and Mitch replaced Gary. After a couple of overs with no luck, Harris decided it was time for a change of tact, and tried his hand at spin. Immediate result. The ball came so slowly, the batsmen was through the ball and Carnegie were in the game. Mitch took a wicket from the top end and we had them 2 down for not too many (as you may guess I am doing this without the scorebook).
Musselburghs middle order were powerful and pitch-seasoned, and managed to score a few runs off Mitch and Harris as the home team took hold of the match
Mitch brought on Graham Lindsay and he bowled with a fine accuracy. He took 2 good wickets for 14 runs and for 5 minutes looked as if he could go onto be a match winner.
Mitch came back on at the bottom end to try to remove Musselburghs top batsmen, the leftie, as he began to take the game away from Carnegie. He didnt make any ground, and was due to be replaced by Bob, when the game ended with a fine four off Graham.
Plusses - it was sunny and we bowled quite well. Mitch and Barney had a good partnership.
Could do better - No run outs, and learn to play spin bowling. Dont walk if you are not sure Mr Hunter!!!
After the match and back to the pub for a couple of smelly pints (no showers) before we headed home. It was the weather we all play cricket for, just not the performance. We move onto next week where we wil show bouncebackability!
Man of the match is Graham Lindsay for his bowling
Thanks for Coming was Kevin Ross
Dunfermline Carnegie Cricket Club First Team Batting
84 for 10
Musselburgh CC Bowling
Musselburgh CC Batting
88 for 4
Dunfermline Carnegie Cricket Club First Team Bowling