Short Marathon, Fleeting Immortality

On a glorious summer's morning some of the most unremarkable cricketers gathered at the city's most prestigious venue. ( No Gareth, not the Tool Shed ). And as such set the tone for the Maddogs second foray onto the hallowed turf of the SCG, one of juxtaposed elements combining to pleasure.

Remarkably, all the dogs were on time. Even more heroic given the 6:00 am muster for a 7:00 am start, and to keep with the "at odds" theme we lost a dog and found one.

Settling into the "HOME" team's dressing room we were all pretty chuffed to be in such a regarded sanctum, but like the NSW team that had recently vacated it we were there to play cricket and needed to get our pants on, just like The Don, one leg at a time.

In an email to the team, having already been designated to bat first in the opening game, I described our opportunity as a chance to " deflower the world's most desirable virgin". Alas, it seemed we were the inexperienced as we fumbled about not quite getting the bra off on our innings. While Alex, TC and Vis all struck memorable boundaries, only Andrew Wildblood could lay claim to morning glory top scoring at about 2 runs a ball including two boundaries. Our total of 68 was presentable but adjusted to 32 after wickets lost had been taken into account.

But cricket is yin and yang. Two games juxtaposed within. One of batting, one of bowling. An element to assert or surrender, another to acquiesce or redeem.

And so after breakfast the 'dogs took to the field for redemption.

Alex's loosener found its way to the boundary but the Penrith Goats' batsmen were soon feeling some SCG heat as the ball began thundering into the distant keeper's gloves, and after Philip had settled in and completed his spell the Thalis father and son opening combination had the dogs nipping at their heels.

While newcomer Adam left no one in doubt there was some bounce in the pitch (especially his half of it !) Jon King produced a ball that would sit comfortably with any bowled on this arena. Arching in, drawing the batsman forward to no avail, zipping off the pitch , through the gate, top of middle and off. Thought I heard Allan Davidson say "beauty".

Andrew Wildblood continued the contradictory theme. Working up some decent pace to unveil a subtle slower ball which crashed into the stumps .

TC was next to live the dream clean bowling the batsman with his first delivery, comprehensively beating him for a stumping chance 2nd ball and conjuring an edge, where were you Ed Suttle !, with his third.

Richard Ansell bowled an over of precise line and length with a little bit of nip off the wicket and was rewarded with an edge through to the keeper.

Graham Leslie also got in on the wickets inducing an edge that somebody caught after a steady over.

What am I saying ? It was THE catch. Forever to be known as THAT catch. A Tim Carroll one handed, up, back and across diving miracle that made a special morning even more so.

(Actual catch much better.)

The result in the end didn't matter, dog speak for we lost, because every one created and shared some terrific moments.

A shoutout to Anthony

Stone and Dean Walker who both finished in positive territory while batting. Dean only plays at the SCG when playing south of the Tropic of Capricorn and Anthony BOWLED AT THE SCG !!!

All in all, some unremarkable cricket was played at a truly remarkable ground by some ordinary cricketers doing some extraordinary things for a worthy cause well organised by some decent people.

For such a short game it will live long in the memory.