Pudong tide founders on
Whilst the cricket world had its eyes focussed on the sub-continent last
weekend, two halves of the city of
Winning the toss, Young Mike opted to give his battery of young quicks first use of the pitch. Adam 'Gino' Taylor and Andy 'Brett Lee'
Cameron stepped up straight away with hard and fast spells of 7-17-1 and 6-14-0
respectively as the bowlers held sway from the outset.
Coming on at first change, Martin Hill returned the day's best figures of
6-26-4 as he claimed the key scalps of Jason and new man David Kagi, who had
looked threatening from the outset. This
was not to be forgotten by Jason who not only returned the favour
by bowling Martin out, thus ending his brief cameo innings in the Hot Dog's
reply, but also gave him some short stuff that Martin played like a big flower,
to use the MCC's technical coaching term.
It is to be hoped that Martin will not take his eye off things so readily
in his next career.
Despite good work down the order by David Boyle who batted with serenity
and authority for his 38, Pudong could never overcome the dominance of the Hot
Dog fast bowling which was carried through by Todd Pearson's fine closing spell
of 6-11-2. Pudong clearly missed the
President's batting, however we hope he enjoyed his trip to
However, runs in the Hot Dog's reply proved as hard to come by as when
Pudong had batted. New boys Barsenbach & McCallum used the new ball smartly to
stifle the Hot Dogs' reply.
David Harvey came on at first change with Captain Jason and kept the
pressure on, both bowling with sustained hostility to leave the Hot Dogs
struggling at 55 for 3 in the 18th over.
Throughout this ordeal, Coach Joe remained resolute, unbowed and
immutable as he espoused the doctrine of his patron, Saint Geoffrey of
Joined in the end by doughty Landlord Sean, the Hot Dogs finally passed
the target in the 29th over to win by 3 wickets. Joe carried his bat for 31
vital runs that secured the Hot Dogs' victory.
Like Frodo and Sam battling through the orks
of Mordor and Middle earth, they too had returned the
ring to
For Pudong, Jason's withering spell earned him impressive figures of
7-22-3. He was well supported by the
rest of his attack, especially Rob who recovered from a shaky start to bowl
five overs of testing leg-spin that gained him two well-deserved wickets.
Pudong will take many positives from the match, not least that the
President's winter recruitment drive has clearly yielded a strong crop. Their batting looked just a spark away from ignition, whilst there's no doubt that their bowling will
cause every side problems this year.
For the Hot Dogs, there is no time for them to rest on their laurels as
they meet early season pacesetters, The Maharajas, in the coming weekend's
encounter.
STOP PRESS: Mike steps down
from Hot Dog hot seat.
Founding SCA stalwart Mike Tsesmelis has shocked the
His replacement at the helm will be experienced Dutchman, Johan Domela.
Asked to comment on the surprise move, Mike said, "It was becoming
very difficult to balance all my roles and do each effectively. As team pin-up, moody fast bowler,
flash-in-the-pan middle-order batsman and, perennial medical worry and, of
course, devoted & loving boyfriend, I had too much on my plate being
captain as well. However, I am only 17
so I’d hope to have another crack at it when I’m an adult”.
Mike retires from the Hot Dogs captaincy with a 100% record. Asked to
comment on his successor, Mike replied, “Johan was an obvious choice to lead
the Dogs. His unrivalled knowledge of sausages will command him instant respect
in the dressing room, and his links to
Incoming skipper Johan had been forced to miss Sunday’s match with a
suspected bout of chicken ‘flu picked up on a recent trip to Xinjiang
province. At the time of going to press
he was unavailable for comment but is certain to be back to lead the Hot Dogs
in the crucial clash against the Maharajas on Sunday.
Joe Hepworth