Carib Beer XI vs Northern Trust, Greenwich Park,

Wednesday 12th July 2023

The height of summer, Sun kissed skies, Greenwich Park, beers consumed; can only mean one thing - the annual Carib Beer XI vs Northern Trust cricket match. Thankfully the Met Office remained as reliable as Jonny Bairstow and fumbled in their role, the 80% chance of thunderstorms and no play never materialised.

The majority of both teams arrived at Greenwich on time. Carib Swanand was running late by half an hour, Carib Cordey was running late by 24 hours due to some calendar calamity and so the Caribs were down to 10. Therefore the result of the toss was already predetermined, The Caribs would bat first, a toss was still made to ensure official records were kept in order, and as is Carib tradition, Captain Gooch lost the toss.

After the complaints of a fortnight ago, an attempt at a return to Bazball along with a requirement to ensure we always had someone on the side-lines who could score and another Carib who could act as square leg umpire meant that talismanic opener Rishi and badminton playing ringer Vishal went out to the middle in a much altered Carib batting line up.

Both players seemed content to play themselves in gradually, this was no mean feat as NT had a few talented ringers in their squad, but given NTs ability to score at an alarming rate, this continuation of Glenball was causing a fair degree of cantankerousness on the side-lines, Nitin was frequently heard berating the pair for failing to run 3 or nick a single, whilst Archie, fresh off of 25 from 12 (whilst representing NT) was pacing around like a caged tiger. This scenario went on for a loooong time; at the half way stage of the innings, The Caribs were 64 without loss with both batsmen nearing retirement. A few deliveries later and both openers had retired at a rate of less than a run a ball.

This bought out Archie, who quickly released his frustrations and decided the run rate needed to be upped, a few sixes and several 4s meant Archie also retired from a mere 15 balls, but not before he witnessed NT stand in captain Sunil, appearing to get a little concerned with the Carib score now progressing, make an inspired decision and bring on NT Minchin who immediately set up an oft to familiar Carib middle order batting collapse. First up was Gordon, 25 off 25 in the previous match, 0 off 2 this time, next up was Akansh out with a caught and bowled first ball, and to complete the hat-trick was Carib Gooch, clean bowled playing down the wrong line. It must be noted Carib Gooch did appear to be a little relieved, maybe as memories of Archie making him run 4 in 2018 still linger. The lower order batsmen scored at a steady rate with Carib Moss getting 16 runs, including a rare 4 straight down the ground, much to the shock of the NT fielders who were heard saying in shocked voices "where did that come from". Carib Nitin was in next and made returning Carib Jarod push his aging legs to run a single off the last ball of the innings, and so was run out still several yards from home - leaving the Caribs with a healthy score of 142 to defend.

The Caribs spread themselves around the field, along with a kindly loaned, after much pleading 11th fielder from the NT ranks. The wicket keeping gloves were donned by Rishi who if his Passport were a different colour could expect a call from the ECB after a stand out performance behind the stumps.

Carib’s Nitin and Swanand kept things tight for the first 4 overs with Swanand making the breakthrough on the last delivery of the opening spell, getting an edge to Rishi. This bought on the first changes, genuine spinner Akansh perplexed the NT batsman, removing 2 players in his first over and then second change Archie also grabbed a wicket after a good catch by Nitin. At this point, the game was tilting towards a Carib victory. Unfortunately the next few batsmen in scored at the more familiar NT pace, and the Caribs good work in the field from the first overs started to become more fragile, a succession of dropped catches and mis-fields from several nameless experienced players meant that NT were now firmly in control. NTs Hat-trick hero Minchin also put a significant dent in the required runs before the Carib’s opening pair worked together majestically to remove him, Vishal getting one to swing away that was edged to and well taken by Rishi.

Now, seemingly cruising after 18 overs - the scores were level, although there were still a few more twists in the tail. The Carib’s set an exciting field that led to a wicket maiden and renewed hope, Nitin had started appealing for everything, oddly the NT Carib fielder also seemed desperate to see a Carib victory, but that final wicket brought out the cool head of NT Captain Sunil who had had enough, He dispatched the next ball down the ground for 4 to finish the game with 5 balls to spare.

A special mention to Umpire Lee, who carried out the main duties for 30 overs, it might have been tiredness that meant he didn’t hear the questions about the game being stopped due to bad light as the game didn’t finish until after sundown.

Next week we have the chance of revenge, NT at Greenwich park again. Maybe a return to the batting order from 2 weeks ago and Glenball will do the trick or perhaps we can secure the signing of the pro Carib 11th fielder who seemed to be able to bat and bowl a bit.

Carib Beer XI Lose by 4 Wickets

Scorecard