Author: Michael James

Well after my last game in August 2018, it was time to find the kit bag and get ready again to play. Of course you just knew that the weather was going to play apart, especially after how nice it had been so far.

The game was – 2nd XI v Orpington Ocelots II at a ground that had bad history for me. Back in the 90’s on the hottest day of year so far in June, I was coming on to bowl my second spell to try and restrict the team score. It might have been partly my fault as I didn’t warm up that much as I had already bowled 10 overs that day in my first spell and had been in the field for over 2 hours.

The 3rd ball of the over as I run in, I just collapsed in a heap, my hamstring went, and it was like someone had shot me in my leg. Little did I know that was the last time I would be a bowler of high quality. 🙁

Saturday arrived and the weather app (though I don’t trust it), had been showing rain from around 11am on. Now I’ve played for over 40 years and have seen many people injured because of playing in the rain. For me cricket is to be played in the sun with a cool breeze, (you can dream lol especially in England, how did we invent the game).

I was waiting for the call to say it would be called off, but no, the journey had to be made, of course within 5 minutes of setting of, it started to rain.

Now in COVID19 time, the changing rooms are closed, so it best you turn up in your whites.

It was good to see the team again, but not this weather and I spoke with the skipper Glen and made my feelings known.

Due to COVID19, there were no points at state, no promotion or relegation which made the decision to play even crazier. It was decided to be a 26 overs match.

Glen won the toss and elected to field, for the most part it was steady drizzle, but definitely not enjoyable. Our bowling was average and our fielding very poor.

Orpington Ocelots 198-4 from 26 overs – Pankaj Singh 55* , Deepak Krishnegowda 68* , Glen Freeman 6-0-36-2 , Felix Quantrill 4-0-21-2

At tea, which was bring your own tea, the rain started to get heavier, so I went to my car for my food and shelter. I thought this has to be called off, looking at the direction of the cloud coming from, it was just thick cloud.

Someone came down and said we were going out to bat, I said seriously. Putting my umbrella up, I walked back up and sure enough we were out batting. On the fall of Martyn Greene wicket, it really started to pour and they came off. I said to Glen, this needs to be called off, and I was going any way, I heard the home team say, were give it 15 minutes.

I thought NO NO, I found there skipper and said why are we giving it 15 minutes, you can see there is no break in the cloud, the weather app is showing rain for the rest of the day, do you want someone hurt and anyway I’m going.

Would I feel bad if they waited and went back out, NO, my health and safety comes first, not just for me, but the rest of the team, obviously there grown up and can make their own decision, but often a group of men just stand around and no one can.

The rain did continue for the rest of the day and I was glad to get home, unchanged and showered to get warm again.

New Ash Green 2-1 from 2 overs Match abandoned as a draw.