Optimists Cricket Club

Optimists, looking to expand its network of opposition for friendly matches, hosted Academie Bourgogne CC for the first time. It meant a long journey for our cricketing friends from ABCC, for only one match. And when given the choice, they opted for a 20-20 game - quite some committment to make an eight-hour round trip in order to play a three-hour game of cricket.

Optimists skipper for the day was Richard Neale - pictured, sporting his new-look tough man haircut (later revealed to be the result of a gross mis-communication with the hairdresser that morning). Neale allowed ABCC to bat first in very wet conditions, thanks to a perfectly timed downpour just as the opposition arrived.

Optimists were feeling quietly confident, having most of the first XI's league bowling attack playing. Newcomer Arjun Nandal and 'senior pro' Nishith Gandhi kept it tight enough despite the soaking wet cricket ball. However, ABCC went for their shots and  despite some tidy containing bowling, in particular from Mike West (4-0-38-2), posted a daunting total of 183.

In reply the Optimists set about counterattacking brilliantly with openers Phil Burleigh and Deepak Gianchandani. The latter had forgotten his cricket whites and played most of the match in what appeared to be his underpants and a borrowed rugby shirt. The effect was somewhat reduced while batting with his robocop-style protective gear, which seemed to cover up most of the offending areas.

In any case the Optimists brought up the fifty in the sixth over despite the loss of two wickets. Sensing that some boundaries were needed, tough man Neale took a tough decision and pushed Arjun Nandal up the order. This turned out to be an inspired move as Nandal proceeded to dismantle the ABCC bowling, smashing seven fours and four sixes all over the ground, to register his highest score yet for the club - 78 - before finally being caught in the deep.

This left the Optimists on the cusp of an unlikely victory, if only they could find 37 runs from the last four overs. Unfortunately three batsmen perished in the next three overs, leaving tough man Neale the practically impossible task of hitting his first three and the last three balls of the innings for 11 runs.  He took his guard and promptly hit his first ball for a sublimly timed lofted clip over mid-wicket for four. The next ball for two. So the match went down to the last ball, with the Optimists requiring six to win.

Unfortunately Nealers didn't quited connect with it and a scampered two meant that ACBB ran out winners, but not without having some doubts about the result along the way. It was a thoroughly enjoyable match played in beautiful sunshine - lets hope to have more games like this during the summer.

Will Heath

Picture: Richard Neale, fixtures secretary, tough man and skipper for the day. For more photos please check out the photo gallery.