Carib Beer XI vs Northern Trust, Greenwich Park,

Wednesday 15th May 2024

The Carib season started on a warm May evening and even issues on trains and general lateness weren't enough to dampen the enthusiasm. The Caribs batted first, not entirely sure if this was agreed due to numbers of Caribs present (about 5 at the start time) or via a toss. In any case Skipper for the day Carib Weaver took the responsibility to set the tone and opened the batting alongside Ringer Vishal (usual skipper Carib chairman and perennial best batter Haigh was absent again abroad). It was a steady start - after 5 overs the Caribs were no wickets down for 20 runs. The pace of the game and the bowling took a sharp increase when NT Alex was brought into the attack, promptly bowling Ringer Vishal. Carib Berry was next in, but also had his stumps uprooted.

However Carib Yusuf was next in and in his usual style made some quick fire runs. Meanwhile opener Weaver's long vigil came to an end with and was also bowled. However this led to a good partnership between Carib Holmes and Carib Yusuf, both scoring at a good rate, Yusuf making 27 unbeaten and a sprightly innings from Alex was a near run a ball 19.

When Alex was out the Caribs were just 4 wickets down with only 3 overs to go. The chat on the boundary edge amongst the increasingly impatient middle/lower order batters suggested the order of the day should be "hit out or get out" in this situation. The incoming Caribs did deliver (sadly not with boundaries), with some agricultural shots and suicidal running. Carib Archie made 4 from 5 and Ringer Samir made 1 from 1 and then sacrificed their wickets without any thought of their average.

Caribs Nitin and Moss with again no boundaries managed to score 10 off the final over (meaning 25 were scored from the final 3 overs) with some quick running which led to Carib Moss giving up his wicket attempting a 2 off the final ball from a ball that had gone no more than 10 yards. The final score was 111-7, which felt maybe slightly below par, but the wicket was a bit spongy and the darkness was drawing in.

To help defend the low total the Caribs opened the bowling with ringer Samir and Carib Yusuf, our reigning Bowler of the Year. 4 tight overs in and NT were behind the run rate at 22-0. The only drama during these opening overs was a comedy failed run out. A ball was hit slowly to mid-off, the striker didn't move. However the non-striker ran 2 on his own and mid off somehow failed to throw in the ball for an easy run out when they could have walked over and took bails off.

This minor mishap was put behind us with the first change bowling pairing of Caribs Nitin and Swanand. This was some further tight bowling and included a wicket for Swanand. 35-1 after 8 overs.

Ringer Vishal then came on and snaffled a wicket in his first over, although going for 15 in his 2 over spell. Caribs Yusuf and Swanand meanwhile kept it tight with one over spells at the other end with Yusuf picking up a well-earned wicket leaving Caribs on top after 13 overs with NT 60-3, now needing 52 off 7 overs. With only 5 bowlers used at this point Skipper Weaver asked around as to who might want an over. Only Carib Moss volunteered perhaps thinking in a great act of sportsmanship (foolhardiness) that the game was going one way and needed evening up. Bowling one or two half decent balls, was mixed in with some proper filthy full tosses leading to an over of 18 scored more than putting NT back in the game.

Yet the game then swung back in favour of Caribs thanks to return to the attack of Ringer Samir and Carib Nitin. Nitin also rewarded for an extremely tight spell with a wicket. NT now needed 25 off the last 4 overs.

The next over led to another unexpected twist with the returning Carib Swanand who had gone for not many from his first three overs, then being taken for 14 off his final over leading to 11 needed from 3. Incredibly there was still time for another momentum switch and Caribs Yusuf and Nitin bowled tightly yet again to leave NT needing 5 from the final over, keeping the game alive.

The nerves were now palpable on both teams, ringer Vishal was given the responsibility to bowl the final over. The first ball of the over went over the head of mid-off and NT took 2.

3 needed off 5 balls.

Next 2 balls were both dots, with NT not wanting to take any risky runs despite being only 4 wickets down. Perhaps thinking any new batters might struggle to cope with the cauldron now out in the middle.

3 needed off 3 balls.

Next ball went for 2 to wide third man.

The penultimate ball was a dot.

1 needed off the final ball of the match.

At this point NT Sunil took his pads and helmet off at the non-striker's end clearly signalling his intention to run whatever.

The ball was hit softly straight back in the direction of bowler Vishal who needed to take a few strides forward to field the ball. NT Sunil having backed up well was easily in. NT Rob though had to dash up the other end. Ringer Vishal had time to pick up and aim a throw back at bowler's end. Agonisingly the throw just missed, NT achieving the narrowest of victories off the final ball of the match.

One of the closest ever Carib games resulting in a very honourable defeat by the barest of all margins. We look forward to our return match against NT later in the year.

Carib Beer XI Lose by 6 Wickets

Scorecard