Mad Dogs claw victory from the jaws of victory

A game that had it all- old man’s cricket, athleticism, dropped catches by the bucketful, farcical run outs, child bowlers, collisions in the field and endless boundaries- the Mad Dogs nearly blew a 178 run lead to win by 10 runs in the final over.

This high scoring game at the handsome Jubilee Oval in Glebe was in turn defined by fast run gathering, tight bowling, extras, balls despatched into the creek, boundaries between legs, and finally the perfect ball to win the game.

The Dogs batted first, despite the knowledge that fielding last in the high heat would be taxing in the extreme. The game was really set up by some very fast scoring from E. Watson (25 and 4- somehow caught and awarded a 4 in the same instance in a ruling that I am pretty sure will not be picked by the ICC) and B. Cutler (25) at the top of the innings and with everyone scoring throughout the innings to keep the scoreboard moving. As predicted, the response from the Muppets batsmen was strong, 3 of their 8 who faced up retiring with big hitting. The bowling Dogs were, however, excellent in the middle of the innings, really keeping the run rate down despite taking few wickets, to ensure a 24 run lead going into the break.

But our effective 0-24 at start of 2nd innings was suddenly 3 for 26 in the second over thanks to the batsmen brilliantly picking out the Muppets fielders and, slightly unsportingly I thought, said fielders holding all their catches. At this point the game was moving at a brain numbingly slow pace due to the heat and perhaps a certain reluctance to get out in the middle, but the innings was expertly saved by an in form M. Harvey wearing Billy’s old shoes (25 and 8), an extremely efficient B. Parry (25), P. McGregor (a career best 15) and B Cutler again (23).

Much discussion was had around the team as to the approach to defend the 178 lead, it being decided to pretty much field on the boundary. Despite this, (and the 15 captains all with their own fielding opinions), the Muppets got off to a flyer, despatching 6s and 4s either side and often through the fielders. Watching S. Garvey (really a Mad Dog) despatch consecutive 6s into the creek was a little bit painful. Thankfully though we did have a fielder who could still run (M. Han), who saved a good few runs and took an excellent outfield catch. With all of their team scoring, the Muppets never lost sight of the required rate and so it came down to their 2 biggest hitters at the crease for a tense last few overs.

And with 6 balls to go, they needed 10. Suddenly giving away all those singles seemed like a less good idea. We threw the ball to that most unruffled of Mad Dogs bowlers, JP, who, because he didn’t have his glasses on , actually didn’t know the equation. And he only needed one delivery- the perfect ball, a tempting length to lure the bat, but coming in a bit to take out middle and leg stumps. Fantastic way to finish what was a compelling contest in the Glebe heat.

Thanks to Captain Luke and the Muppets - this fixture will definitely become a regular one for the Mad Dogs season.