Walsall Health (DNB) Vs Birmingham Unicorns 124-7 – Result: Match Abandoned

Dark clouds had started to congregate for the Elf long before the thunderstorms of Sunday came to curtail their game against Birmingham Unicorns. Despite having a 100% record at Carter Park this season, the record was almost gone without a ball being bowled as availability for the team was paper thin. The spirit of the Elf though is to get the game on no matter what and with the help of a mix of current players, returning legends and smattering of debutants the game was on and the team were excited, though it was always going to be a race against time to get a result with the weather forecast looking somewhere between hopeless and grim. The game may have ended in an abandonment with the visitors 7 down after a strong Elf showing with the ball but what the game lacked in time, it made up for in action.

1. J.Lester

Who knows what could’ve been for Lester this week, promoted to opening spot and completely hangover free. Unfortunatly the storms cost him a chance to have a go at the top of the order or even turn his arm over, but who needs to bat or bowl when you get a run out as good as Jack’s. With a catch dropping between him and Edwards, Lester grabbed the ball and helped himself to a run out, hitting the bails running in from mid off with somewhere between 1 and 1 and a half stumps to aim for. Not one that will be forgotten in a hurry.

 2.  M. Perger

Speaking of fielding exploits, Mac behind the stumps has been nothing but phenominal this term for the Elf and his catch today is right up with his very best moments. A superb one handed dive to his right and the Elf’s Marathon Man made it look routine. Also with only one bye in the innings, it was another solid showing on a moving deck, shame Mac didn’t get to bat or get the food in for the team but we’ll let him off after that grab.

 3.  J.Bell

An assured debut in the field for Jack, putting in the hard yards in an array of weird and wonderful positions. Even though he was helping out in the Elf’s hour of need, he ran around as if was a stalwart of the team. We know you can field now Jake, come back for a bat or a bowl whenever you want!

 4.  N. Reeves

The ball magnet. If you want a cricket ball to go in any direction just position Nath to wherever you want it to go. A tireless day in the field without getting his name in the book but he did everything but take a catch in the field for the team, especially on the boundary as he frustrated the opposing batsmans attacking intentions.

 5.  R. Fell – 0-8

The Bazball man before Stokes and McCullum stole his idea, stepped up to captain the side and helped almost make a result out of this game. Some quirky field settings all in the name of quick wickets were the Elf’s only real hope of a positive result in this game and if the clouds had kept clear a little while longer, he may have just managed it. A few overs bowling at the end teased a breakthrough but the rain cut short his spell in it’s third over.

 6.  W.Lauchlan – 1-17

A catch, a drop, late, last, forgotten kit, a (very) questionable bowling action, a wicket and some dodgy sunglasses. All in a days work. A close LBW shout split opinion between “Begging” (J.Lester) and “absolutely plumb” (W.Lauchlan), was followed next ball by a straight one getting the dangerous Marshall leg before for 45.

7. D.Stephens – 2-31

Almost writes itself these days, another steady and metronomic spell by the Elf’s chairman and Mr Consitent. The corridor of uncertainty is said to have a plaque with D.S’s name on it. The Elf’s opening bowler doesn’t get half the wickets he deserves for how tight his line and length is, a couple of wickets in this game could easilly have been 4 or 5. You know a bowler is good when 2-31 off 8 overs is described as “a bit expensive” after the game.

 8.  G.Reeves – 0-10

Our second returning legend and bowling for the Elf for what might have been decades. Took a top, top catch at mid off, with the ball looking to be sailing over his head, he plucked it out the sky with a minimum fuss, sticking to his hands like Velcro for Stephens’s second wicket. An over bowled with the rain setting unfortunatly bought no reward.

 9.  J.Butler – 2-15

Insultingly overlooked by Stokes and McCullum despite the fantastic public transport links around Edgbaston, Josh instead had to settle for the slightly quieter surroundings of Carter Park. He quickly started to show the selectors what they were missing though with superb figures and a couple of wickets to keep up a fine, fine season for the Elf. He described it as some of his worst bowling of the season, sign of a good bowler if that’s the worst he’s got and is still well in the Wickets column.

10. J.Edwards 1-7

Was it a debut? Wasn’t it a debut? Jack opened the bowling with Dave and soon had the batsman checking their hands to see if they’d bought a bat out with him, the balls too good and too quick to catch the outside edge to begin with. Eventually one clipped the outside edge and Mac took the catch gleefully.

11. J.Preece 0-34

Stright to it with Johnny this week. The Catch. Wow. A grab with pinky and ring finger on the left hand with the ball destined for the boundary down by his ankle. You’ll have to go a long, long way to find a catch as good as this one. With the ball, another Elf spinner wanting to show the selectors what they were missing and this man had no blisters at all on his fingers. Johnny should’ve had a wicket but an unfortunate drop behind the stumps cost him. Just. A quiet day with the ball but a serious shout for catch of the season.

12. D.Preece

A quiet day for Dai who helped with the wicket of Usman Khwaja, proclaiming that he always goes on to get 150+ right as his bails were sent flying by Robinson. Keep those Hoodoos coming Dai.

The Elf return this Sunday for another home game at Carter Park, hopefully the rain doesn’t once again join them.