CURRENT AFFAIRS
On a seismic weekend for the Labour Party, the Pacifico's pitched up at Springfield Park, excitedly reacting to the news that a certain 'Burnham' was the hot favourite to step into the country's top job. However, once it was clarified that this referred to A Burnham and not our very own B Burnham, a disappointed realisation dawned, and the focus shifted to the cricket...
SELECTION & TOSS
Much like the England Test squad ahead of the 2nd Test, matters off the pitch led to wide sweeping last-minute changes. A panic call from the oppo at 10pm on Saturday evening (we've only got 7!!!) led to a call to arms in the Pacificos WhatsApp and two club stalwarts - Toby Jarvis and Tim Garrett - heroically stepped once more unto the breach and agreed to turn out for the oppo. On the morning, by virtue of being last to arrive, Prasham was also sent to 'cross the floor' and we settled on a 10v10 match-up. Riz then won the toss and, funnily enough in the 30 degree heat, chose to bat - GAME ON.
PCC INNINGS
We began scratchily as both Zarfar and Saad were guilty of hanging back far too deep in the crease, and we found ourselves in early trouble at 36-2 (our own T Jarvis striking with an ice-cool c&b). Then came the partnership that defined the match. Houlihan sauntered in and played a right-handed Graeme Thorpe knock at 4. Clean, crisp cover drives and cuts quickly grabbed the innings momentum and we never gave it up. He departed just shy of his half-century for a capital innings off 48 off 81. However, the real story was developing at the other end.
BOC, as he is well known at the club, has long, long been searching for that first PCC 100 and, in fact, his first anywhere since his prolific Summer of 2017 (x4 tons). Wielding a newly renovated stick, he cruised to a better than run-a-ball, chanceless 50 and on a hot afternoon and fairly flat pitch, the whispers began: could today finally be the day?
It was at this point we experienced what it must have been like to have witnessed Atherton v Donald all those years ago at Trent Bridge as the indefatigable PCC stalwart, Tim Garret came on to bowl at his long-time fellow tobacco-rolling club mate. It was compulsive viewing as TG applied the brakes to the innings and looked to get inside the head of the belligerent PCC opener. In between being taken for two leg-side lofted 4s, TG tied BOC in knots with a teasing off-stump line. The nerves were building in the middle and on the sidelines, not helped by PCC skipper Riz, exclaiming, 'I've never seen him play better'.
The sensible decision was taken, and Tim was seen off with due respect (8-0-25-1 barely representing the quality of his spell). Now BOC saw his chance and murdered the rest of the attack; four sixes were struck, the most memorable straight back over the bowler's head, and he was soon raising his bat to a magnificent hundred off just 77 deliveries.
A small mention for Hishaam, who at this point was just keeping his head down amongst the carnage, but played a nice supporting hand with a 27-ball 19. The innings ended amusingly as the skipper ran the centurion out off the 3rd last ball of the innings. To be honest, BOC looked relieved that his watch was over. 245-6 off the 40.
LUS INNINGS
Author's modesty means one must gloss over one's achievements, but a pretty decent spell from PCC's left-arm 'Springfield Specialist' (14 wkts in x4 appearances now) wrecked the LUS innings, and at 75-5 the game was all but done. On a day of firsts, it was a maiden PCC 5-for for Hungin (8-2-22-5), helped by the skipper bringing in two slips for the final ball of the spell and lo and behold, a nick to second occurred, astonishing captaincy.
Noor was eventually rewarded for a ridiculously tight opening spell (6 overs for 9 runs!) when coming back for his second spell and on Father's Day it was fitting that the multi-generational Siddiqui pair of Hishaam and Riz both picked up scalps and a thumping 103-run win was sealed around 6.40pm.
Also a word for Zafar's keeping; it was a pleasure to see the man in action, and he took an absolute beauty standing-up Carey-style. In truth, it was an excellent all-round team fielding performance, the bowlers feeling well supported.
IN THE BAR
Interestingly, the promise of two jugs of beer being purchased meant a more-than-healthy turnout at The Boathouse in the evening, and various refreshments were enjoyed. It was great to chew the fat with the PCC boys who helped get the game on by turning out for the oppo - not all heroes wear capes.
J Hungin
