The Dogs Revenge (vs Misfits)

A promising day of cricket loomed at Jubilee Oval with the sun shining and a nice fast track and outfield there for the taking. It was also a day to celebrate a multi-generational Mad Dogs with Keith/Oliver, Marcus/Eddie, Philip/Alex showing how life can be lived vicariously through the deeds of your off-spring years after your own body has been flailed and exhausted by past efforts.

The Misfits had a reputation for brutalising the Mad Dogs in International fixtures but doubt around availability and selection made their Australian outfit something of an unknown quantity. The Mad Dogs by contrast were laden with experience and young talent and confident in their combined abilities.

With the Mad Dogs electing to bowl the young Alex and Eddie took no time to assert the dominance of youth and were unplayable in the first four overs putting enormous pressure on the batsmen. While wickets were not falling the run rate was very restricted and the Misfits found it hard to get into the game. Sean and Oliver kept up the pressure, but the batting lineup began to free their arms with Pinns, Jig and Amit hitting lustily. Not withstanding the usual litany of dropped catches good solid bowling performances from Jon, David, Phillip, Peter and Keith kept things relatively tight. Once he found the pitch Marcus was also effective and remains a somewhat elusive and misunderstood talent with the ball. Adam was also a find as a gloveman of substance and he and Keith were an effective combination as keeper-bowler. The Misfits managed 124 runs but would this be enough given the depth of the Mad Dogs batting line-up?

With Ed and David P opening the account in real style, Ed ultimately succumbed to age and injury and walked somewhat reluctantly from the field. However a strong base for the innings was built with Adam finding his schoolboy form and hitting lusty straight drives ably supported by the stylish Phillip. A formidable total was looming and it needed only a high class 20 from Keith and solid performances from Alex , Oliver topped off with the ever entertaining Sean’s extravagances to ensure a very commanding 160.

From this point the Misfits were in disarray as players went missing to watch international fixtures and the Mad Dogs could smell blood. But the Misfits had acquired some of the Mad Dogs youth with Eddie and Oliver finding themselves on the wrong side of the fence. But not even a formidable knock from Andrew and a brave and wonderful knock from young Eddie could save the Misfits who managed only 110 despite Dave K doing his best to give them every opportunity to score freely.

And so it was left to Dave K and Jon to open their account with the bat and once again got the Mad Dogs off to a solid start, with good knocks from Peter, Sean, Alex and Keith ensuring an easy victory within 10 overs of the scheduled 20 over innings. It was in the end a day to ponder the idea of generational change and the getting of wisdom as all did their bit.