Leisure Lumberjack.

The day started well, with everyone on time for the bus except for Puberty and Sharapova and Shears and Parrot.

We arrived at the beautifully manicured SRFC to find the only shade was next to the lawnmower that Woodstock looked very at home upon. Sharapova arrived at the ground with friend in a delightful zebra dress and Woodstock had no hesitation in giving her his pants and she assumed her position at fine leg. This leading the leisure squad to believe that for the first time in Shanghai cricket history 2 ladies represented in a competitive game.

Despite the onset of thunderstorms off the Basher’s went to bowl. What a start it was! Off the 2^nd ball of the day, 1^st legal delivery, Sharapova snuck one through the defense of last games half-century maker and knocked the off stump over. Clungealicious was the word that everyone was thinking to themselves as they ran in to congratulate Sharapova donning the multi coloured bandanna. From there in the Basher’s settled into a happy stint of mediocrity with the runs being contained by some very tight bowling from all involved.

Then the heavens opened up in what can only be described as a turning point in the game. As the Basher’s huddled under the green keepers shed with Woodstock comfortably on the lawnmower again thoughts turned to an early finish as we watched the puddles grow around us on the ground and kept an eye on the electrical box with the wires hanging out.

Not to be outdone by a tropical storm and puddles on the ground Latex headed to the pitch for a quick inspection and game on was declared. The Basher’s headed back out on the field excited by the prospect of getting back amongst it. It didn’t take long for the change in conditions to take effect as the Pudong batsman played a beautiful cover drive. Heading off for an easy 3 the ball stopped stone cold dead in a puddle where Puberty picked it up and waltzed to the stumps to execute a beautiful run out. Mouse came on in what can be described as a beautiful spell picking up a couple of quick wickets through guile and deception. The thought of Launceston kept the energy up as he sucked in the last bit of clean air that he would have for a while before heading back to less pristine environments.

All in all a solid Bashers performance with the ball. Pudong 5 for 129 from the rain shortened 20 allotted overs. Spirits were quite high as the Basher’s turned around and headed out for the chase.

Dags and Stiffy were sent out to set about the chase. Dags being an upstanding gentleman decide to allow his stumps to be knocked over on Pudong’s first legal delivery of the day. Puberty then joined Stiffy at the crease. Interesting sentence the last one. Both went about resurrecting the innings with the outfield helping to turn 4s into singles.

What can only be described as a vicious attack on Puberty the loud crack of the ball hitting his head could be heard around the ground. The skipper ran immediately out to the centre of the pitch to help his fallen teammate with a towel. Go figure? Eventually however Puberty made his own way to his feet and battled on. It soon transpired that the knock had had some effect on Puberty’s cognitive prowess as he point blank ran out Stiffy showing him the hand as Puberty was not running.

The next couple of wickets fell quickly with Puberty still dazed and confused letting one hit the stumps and Mouse falling just short to be run out. The running game not being Mouse’s natural one.

A Trois and Sharapova then headed up a fine partnership leaving Scoobie standing at square leg for the remaining 8 overs. It was a Herculean effort from the 2 Bashers as they ran and ran and ran. A Trois was definitely feeling it and decided to unleash in the final couple of overs with a superlatively timed 4 through the marshland of the SRFC and then a massive 6 on the final ball of the day.

Basher’s fell agonizingly close to the total falling around 15 runs short, all ran with the exception of the aforementioned lusty blows from A Trois. A Trois and Sharapovea both finished not out on 39 and 20 respectively.

With Pleasure sticking to their allotted overs having no pressure of the game following them the fines session was held at the club with much Gusto from everyone that was involved. New words were added to Basher’s vernacular and they were used in every sentence for the rest of the day. Please see Latex for further information and helpful links.

Apparently we all got the bus back to the Camel.