Bashers set the standard for 09

The Bashers assembled at the Boo in good spirits early Sunday afternoon. There was an unusual level of confidence about the game and a distinct lack of blazing red eyes and hangovers. Without further ado, on to the bus and away to adventures in Pudong.

Once Bashers corner (has anyone seen the justbeer tents by the way?) had been set up something that almost resembled a fielding warm-up accidently took place.

Having been asked to field first the Bashers looked up to the task. The wickets feel fairly quickly at the beginning as we rifled through the Devils lack lustre top order. Things started to get settled on the Devils side and some smart captaincy was required from Birdshit and Woody. The first run-out of the day came when Loosey, who looked like he was trying to catch a beach ball, copped it straight in the cheek. The ball deflected off Loosey’s face to the vicinity of Made in. He whipped it to Sir Dick, who ran it to the bowlers end to send the bewildered batsman packing. It is just beautiful when a plan comes off.

The knock improved Loosey’s fielding immensely as he went on to take a catch and throw down the stumps for a run out. The enthusiasm in the field was at an all time high when the 7 millionth nick through the slips became a foot race between fours bashers. Onlookers could scarcely believe this was the Bashers. Hammertime not only looked electric with his headband but on a couple of occasions looked like he had been at Cranky’s Winter fielding school, whisking it in underarm from the boundary rope. Oscar was in fine form at short leg diving around like he owned his pants. He also plucked a steaming boundary-bound ball out of the air and made it look like a regulation catch. Similarly, Circus was entertaining to say the least with his Torvill and Dean boundary fielding. The wickets were shared around in a solid team effort. The Devils set us 140 to take the afternoons honours.

After a lot of pre-season talk about his batting prowess Hammertime was given the number one spot. Unfortunately, Hammer ran out of energy after playing and missing the first delivery, and spooned the second one to short cover for a 2^nd ball duck.

Things were plodding along for a bit there, as Circus attempted to find the form of old. He found 6 bits at one point even though Tank was unable to record it in the scorebook.

Smasher was not enthusiastic about running between the wickets or batting partners for that matter as he stranded Circus and the Desmond has a barrel in the marketplace. Fortunately, his next partner didn’t seem to keen to run either. So for the next few overs there was a bit of fetching from the hedges for the Devlis. Smasher and Sir Dick put on 50 odd in their 5 over partnership to get things humming along. After Smasher reached his gloveless 40 he retired and left the chase up to Woodie, Birdie, The Pusher and Loosey. With seven balls to spare the most low key on field celebration in cricket history ensued as the Bashers were victorious.

To get off celebrations at the Boo, Tank provided the fireworks by short changing the bus driver and a fury of Shanghainese insults came raining down.

Boo drinks tally: VB – 45; JD & Coca-cola – 11; Jagermeister – 11

New Bashers were initiated in the appropriate manner: Circus 116, Long Dong 117, Smasher 118, Oscar 119, and The Pusher 120. Welcome fellers.

Quote of the day:
Circus: I thought you said someone else was in next, Whose Circus?