Energy Exiles Cricket Club

Match Summary: vs. WICC, Sunday, 06 Sep 2009

Ground: King's House Sports Ground
Captain: Amil Patel
Match type: 35 overs
Toss: WICC elected to bat
Weather: Sunny, dry
Opposition: WICC scored: 177 for 5 (35 overs)
Exiles Score: 178 for 4 (29.5 overs)
Result: Won by 6 wickets
Man of the match: Daniel Killaly 47 not out

After the previous week's cancellation, the Exiles returned to action at Chiswick - for the final time this season. The opposition were WICC (or Winning Innings CC), or even Surrey Gymkhana as is their new name. With summer coming to a rapid close, a 1:30pm start had been proposed if 40 overs were to be completed, but due to the opposition having work to do, most of their side did not arrive until 2pm or after, so the match had to be reduced to 35 overs. The Exiles had been allocated pitch C for the match, which is widely regarded as the best pitch at the CSSC, as for the bowlers the wicket is pacy and has variable bounce, whilst for the batsmen the boundaries are generally in even proportion from all sides of the wicket and the outfield has the shortest grass, so the ball tends to race across it. The only downside is that for fielders' concentration and sure footing is vital, as the bobbly surface means that even the simplest block can either turn into an embarrassing blunder, or, as some Exiles fielders were to discover, a painful blow.

Amil lost the toss, and WICC decided to bat, although at this stage they only had 4 players, so some discipline might have been required by the opening batsmen. However, like many other teams we have played this season, they set off with aggressive intentions. Indeed, their one gloved opener hit a few shots before being bowled by a fine fuller ball by Andy. Marcin was the other opener, and was unfortunate to see some fair bowling getting hit around. Already at this early stage, many of the shots played by WICC batsmen were aerial, so it was clear that Exiles were going to need to take their catches to win the match, which, apart from one notable exception - which has already gone down in Exiles fielding folklore - it has to be said the chances were taken.

Andy was replaced by Australian newcomer Daniel, who, perhaps out of politeness, was spared any taunting about England's magnificent victory in the recent Ashes series (until now of course). His action, left arm over, naturally drew comparisons with fellow countryman Mitchell Johnson, although the Exiles were very much hoping that they would see the pre-Ashes, South African terrorising version, and not the hapless Ashes version, who only fleetingly showed his ability. And almost immediately it became clear that Daniel would bring his fielders into play, as his pace and bounce troubled the opposition, as well as, on occasion, the Exiles slip cordon, who, more often than not, can get away in most games without gainful employment, but on this occasion they had to be on their toes, as the ball often flashed in and around them, at a pace that seasoned Exiles observers reckoned was as quick, at least, as the likes of Simon Gundry. However, like most other bowlers on the day, Daniel was perhaps unlucky that his figures didn't truly reflect the control and aggression that he exerted on the opposition.

A flurry of wickets fell, mainly to some fine catching, with Wil's diving effort in particular worth a mention, as was Daniel's fine take on the rope. With their overs running out, the opposition started to increase the tempo of their scoring and this naturally resulted in further chances in the outfield. One missed chance in particular caused much amusement, and will cause a chuckle for years come to all those who saw it. An opposition batsmen completely mistimed a shot and the ball spooned up high in the air towards Phil Ling at wide mid on. Most other players didn't initially pick up the flight of the ball, and were distracted by the sight of Phil charging at full pace towards the boundary, no doubt in his mind expecting the ball to bounce 10 yards ahead of him, and that he might be able to cut off the ball before it crossed the rope. However, much to his disbelief, and to everyone's amusement, having run 20 yards or so and still no sight of the ball, he turned round to find that the ball had landed, almost at the spot that he had set off from, and that he had been chasing a bird for two-thirds of his chase!

Phil's mishap wasn't to be the final Exiles' fielding mishap in the closing overs. Gwyn, who had earlier unsuccessfully demonstrated his version of the traditional long barrier, which involves lying fully on the ground, hoping any part of the body might stop the ball, in a platoon-style dive, did it again to a firm strike into the covers. While he did manage, much to his captain's delight no doubt, to stop any runs, he did so at the cost of the ball striking him in a place that, let's just say, brings tears to the eyes of any man. It was the type of incident that would have been endlessly replayed on Sky Sports, in every angle available, to fully demonstrate the reasons for the fielder's discomfort. It took Gwyn a few moments to feel comfortable enough to continue fielding, and, thankfully, it seems no lasting damage was done. Afterwards Wil, perhaps not known at this point in time for his medical expertise, suggested that should the same fate befall any future Exiles player, that they take a leaf out of David Niven's book, and apply brandy to the affected area. So don't be surprised if the first item in the Exiles medical bag for next season is a bottle of the stuff.

The Exiles were left chasing a total of 177, which looked like being fairly competitive. The weather at this stage had turned slightly, and it was now turning into a chilly autumnal early evening. After Jasper fell early in the chase, generously walking after a faint nick, the two Johns both got in and looked set for big scores, before also misreading the pitch and presenting fairly straightforward chances to the opposition fielders. Wil also struck a few lusty blows before becoming the third batsmen to make a start, but fail to build on it. In the meantime Keith, who had been out of action for 4 weeks, had calmly set about building his innings, and was finding improved timing with every shot he played. The 4 wickets that fell at the other end brought Daniel to the crease, who, perhaps mindful that his watching wife might want him to get on with things, as she was gradually having to get more and more wrapped up to try and fight off the cold - alongside the watching Exiles players on the sidelines. The 2 left-handers set about their task with aplomb, and it was a rather low key finish in the end as some unfortunately wayward bowling meant the Exiles had the game wrapped up earlier than some of the other games taking place, winning with over 5 overs unused. The highlight of the latter part of the run-chase being Daniel’s successive 6s (though he’s still got a way to go to match John Tither’s 4 in a row against Surbiton).

In the bar at the end, with another season of cricket matches at Chiswick coming to an end, there was much reminiscing of matches played and players met in the past, and speculation as to what the future might hold for the CSSC ground and sad contemplation from those sipping their final drinks in the bar, before demolition work starts on it.

Interlude with Phil Ling

During the Exiles' recent win over WICC, Phil Ling provided one of the classic moments of comedy in Exiles history. And that's saying something...

With the ball skied off the leading edge of the batsman's blade, it looped to mid-off where Phil was, or should have, been waiting to take the catch. Instead, sensing the ball looping over his shoulders, Phil turned away from the ball and started running back towards the mid-off boundary. On looking back over his shoulder Phil saw what he thought was the ball and proceeded to chase it with increased urgency. Strangely, the ball continued to gather height and speed, and Phil was left with egg on his face as he realised that the he had in fact been chasing a bird and that the ball was about 20 yards behind him - not far from where he'd started running from!

The Exiles press association caught up with Phil to question his sanity:

Phil, well bowled on Sunday. But it was your fielding that caught the eye - tell us about that catch! You must have felt very confused when the ball kept accelerating and rising! Was it this that led you to realise that it wasn't a ball you were chasing, or the shouts from your team-mates?

Sadly it was not the "ball" flying away but Wil shouting at me to stop running as the ball was behind me, although at first I thought all the noise from everyone else was in encouragement to ensure I caught the ball to get their best batsman out. Sadly it was initially information of the ball location then hoots of laughter.

Some cynics might suggest that this effort might have been a deliberate attempt to gain madness league credit - any truth to this?

I certainly prefer that explanation to the alternative one that I was running away from the ball so I didn't have to attempt to catch it.

What did you say to the bowler afterwards?

I did apologise profusely to Gwyn.

And how did he react?

He was too busy laughing and trying hard not to wet himself - this was before his own fielding incident.

Do you like geese?

Only at Christmas.

Finally, do you having any fielding tips you'd like to share with your fellow Exiles - or lessons learned from this episode?

Well the prior week's advice from me was to "ensure you call when going for a catch", this week it's "keep your eye on the ball". I hope to actually catch the ball in my next match.

Phil, thanks for your time, and good luck for the rest of the season.

Report By: Jasper Searle

Last modified: 11 March 2018 14:31:46. Top of the page