INDIANS ENGINEERED BY RELENTLESS TWCC

by Ross Ferris

The Tokyo Wombats produced a near faultless display in disposing of The Indian Engineers on Saturday. The conditions at Shizouka and some magnificent weather set the scene for an enjoyable day of cricket.

After a delayed departure as a result of Kyal oversleeping his 30-minute quota for the weekend, the Wommies took off and made up for lost time due to some aggressive driving from the man with a fresh cue ball look. Unfortunately, the Engineers were not feeling as generous as our previous opponents and chose to toss rather than agree to send us in. Chuck called the wrong way and the Engineers took first use of the roll out rubber strip.

Rayos and Curly opened the bowling with an accumulated run up of 6 steps. The opening batsman from The Engineers later admitted to begging his skipper for his chance to open and face some ‘fast’ bowling. Rayos had other ideas as he commenced proceedings with his swingers, with each ball giving Kyal the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep in the time it took from the point of delivery to the ball’s arrival at the batsman.

An early strike from Rayos courtesy of some astute captaincy and catching from Nostrodaemus Jones gave The Wombats a perfect start. The Engineers could have been mistaken for the Cavaliers as they set about carving up the Wombats attack like Jack O’Toole on a 20 count during World of Sport. Unfortunately their ambitions and their ability were poles apart and wickets fell at regular intervals. Dino completed a tidy leg side stumping off Rayos and possibly should have had another shortly after. The fielding was sharp which was highlighted by a desperate dive by the Monster at cover, which exposed the arse waving he made been doing to Pup to all and sundry.

Big Al Koolhof arrived on the scene to start with a wicket maiden after knocking another over enthusiastic Engineer’s off stump back. The across the seam method produced a spell in stark contrast to Al’s first over of 27 balls last week. Reggie replaced Curly and bowled a bit of a mixed bag, which ended when he bowled two above the waist full tosses in a row to be ejected from the attack. A confused Reggie thought he had been sent from the arena and had to be called back onto the ground, as he wandered aimlessly over the hill to destination nowhere. Kyal joined the party and snared a couple of middle order scalps before Pup cleaned up the final two bunnies with some genuine pace and accuracy. Engineers all out for 110 in 26 overs with the wickets shared between Rayos (2), Kyal (2), Pup (2), Curly (1), Al (2) and a donkey run out. Mars bars was calling out to Fast Cars who told Mars Bars to the same and yes, we all know how that story ends.

Morty Monster and Dino Saur sauntered out to chase the target and through some good shot selection and running between the wickets the lads put on 107 for the first wicket. Dino produced a Wombats first by accepting the LBW decision without a tantrum after producing a well compiled 40. Morty drove his way to 50 not out and a well-deserved bottle of Hardy’s red.

Rayos was awarded MOM honours for his guile with the new cherry and a late catch. We adjourned to the salted grass factory where an extraordinary number of highlights were announced for a fairly non-descript game.

Well done, on another comprehensive Wombats victory and good luck to all participating in the final on the 28th. Thanks to Curly for driving the van and putting up with the shenanigans on the way back. Morty once again starred off the field, before drifting into a deep slumber half way home.