BOXING DAY
Cricket Snicks
It was so cold at the ‘G’ this morning I thought I was at a football match. It was definitely under 10 when I arrived and tried to get in on my media pass. No such luck. Because I did not have a seat my pass was refused.
Only a minor incident for this old fart. Finally got inside and put on my jacket that I always take to the cricket. So many people wearing shorts.
Well so much for the ‘bold’ Australian selectors. Golden Boy retains his spot and they bring in two medium fast bowlers in Richardson and Neser. Just what does Beau Webster have to do to get a guernsey?
The Viking wins the toss and sends Australia in. It worked a treat with Josh Tongue producing his best ever figures of 5/45. Glad I am not doing the daily report as I can not think of a suitable introduction.
Lunch breaks have been significant in this series. Khawaja and Carey had played comfortably before lunch to resurrect GB (Cameron Green) at last looked in an attacking mood. We all knew he had to do ‘something’ but ran himself out with a stop start to get to the bowlers end.
Nesser attacked the bowling but had no one in the bottom half to help him and he top scored with 35.
The highlight of the morning Jacob Bethell’s jocks . Can’t remember what they said but they got some applause. Are they plural?
For some reason they are using theEnglish method on TV with players names and I was delighted to see that Gus Atkinson parents must be in the print media as they have given him the initials AAP.
Not too many players, particularly from the ‘old country’ have three Christian names and only SPD Smith and Gus took the field today.
Ben The Viking must have been delighted when Australia were all out of 152 and was thinking at last we’ve got em.
Oh no, good lord! Right from the start when Ben ‘I confess’ spooned the easiest catch this season from Starc to Nesser. Albion was in trouble. It was if to say anything Australia can do we can do worse.
And they did 1/7 to 4/16 with the afformentioned Starc and Nesser grabbing two each. Once again it was up to Ben to hold the fort with Brook.
Don’t know what to make of Brook. First ball he charged down the pitch and continued to do so through his innings of 41. He did mix it with some fine strokes. Amused that he had his long sleeved ‘white’ acrylic jumper pulled up to his elbows like his playing up country.
The moment all Melbourne had been waiting for Scott ‘The King’ at the bowling crease. Didn’t let them down Brook, Smith and Jacks all fell to him and at one stage he had 3/18 as the Poms were pummelled.
Despite some lusty hitting from AAP, the Albion finished 42 runs short. AAP 28. Nesser 4/45, Boland 3/30, Starc 2/23 and GB 1/0
Australia fronted a second time with Head and ‘Mr Melbourne’ Scott Boland. yes, BOLAND who even took strike. This was to be a royal moment as Boland survived a fiery over from AAP with a four to boot. He was given a rousing reception for every ball he played. Head joined in the fun and games when he allowed MR Melbourne King to lead him from the ground at the end of the oval after an eventful day at the office.
Who says cricket is not fun?
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
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About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named ‘Chloe on Flinders’ and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
