Carib Beer XI vs IBM, Greenwich Park,

Wednesday 24th July 2025

The Caribs returned to action this week against now familiar foes IBM, there was some discussion as to whether this is the computing behemoth IBM or another company that happens to share the same acronym, it was concluded that it is likely the computer IBM, especially as the domain name where matches are agreed also happens to be IBM and not IslingtonBrewingMagicians, and if anyone is going to get their domain right, it should be a tech company.

That aside, its time to reminisce on the days activities; after some recent failings to updates the various apps and messaging services about late unavailability our infuriated Chairman thought it best to dish out a mighty tongue lashing on the recent match report to ensure a repeat performance wasn’t going to happen, unfortunately Nitin and Rishi are not big readers of the Carib Times and so thought it was OK to try a new route to the ground via buses and pubs, this resulted in them being late as well as several other non subscribers and so despite it now getting on in the year, the game was still struggling to start on time.

As a result of IBMs tardiness, no toss was called, and instead an agreement reached on IBM batting and the Caribs taking the new ball. A side note on this - a remarkably brilliant piece of computer based coincidence is that this meant the toss went down as a Carib loss which takes Martin’s streak to 16 and his infuriation levels higher than a late cancelation, Hopefully if anyone can look into this, it will transpire that IBM wrote the algorithm for this code.

Finally, a little later than planned, the first delivery was bowled. IBM got off to a steady start, both openers scoring regularly, but the Carib’s were good in the field and IBMs run rate was never high enough to cause any concern amongst the Carib’s despite typically having a slow scoring rate ourselves. There were few chances created initially without wickets until a few changes in, when Martin bought himself on and tempted the opener who hit one towards Rishi who took a fine catch. Shortly after this there was another wicket for Martin, clean bowling the number 3. Another steady partnership then ensued, until Andy Weaver, looking petrified took a great catch off of Kunal, unfortunately for Kunal, he took a wicket with his next ball as well, meaning he would be on a hat-trick in the next over. Unremarkably Martin removed poor Kunal from the attack in much the same way as hes been known to do over the course of the past 21 seasons whenever someone looks like grabbing some headlines.

Andy repeated the catching trick a few moments later with the exception of looking like he thoroughly relished the chance as another ball was slogged straight at him and he held on, this time off Martin for his 3rd wicket. This along with a few other wickets meant IBM were soon running low on batters, and they were forced to introduce Miss A. Chen, who despite not knowing what way to stand, hold the bat, know when to run or seemingly knowing very little about cricket in general began easing the ball round the ground, so much so that Martin bought back his faster bowlers and instructed them to attempt to bounce her out the game and close out the IBM innings, also around this time, IBM bought back their retired opener and the two remained in place until all 20 overs were bowled and IBM had amassed 106 runs, a good, but not un-gettable total.

The Caribs, now late in the day, strode to the crease in the shape of regular openers Rishi and Alex, both scored at a good rate, and when Alex fell nearing double figures this introduced Gordon who also scored well. Rishi soon retired which meant Glen should be coming out as he is the regular number 4, but instead it was Tom who despite no showing in the game the week before and being one half of the Martin tongue lashing that had been dished out, was allowed to make a cameo 0 off of 3, a fate that wasn’t bestowed on poor Goochie, who was banished to the stands as punishment after failing to be available 3 weeks prior as Martin’s match report clearly spelt out. Once Tom was back consoling Glen, it meant that Swanand could go out and knock off the remaining runs alongside Gordon who bought the win home with a few overs to spare.

Next week is the final match of the season for the Caribs, a season where batter, bowler and a positive win rate all hang in the balance. Essentially a guarantee of anyone looking like they may challenge for honours will be dropped or removed from the attack, obviously, none of these things matter, when it comes to Man of the year voting, when we all get to show that, despite not being allowed to play, we can still MGGA.

Carib Beer XI Win by 8 Wickets

Scorecard