All Stars not too Shabbir at Steele Park. 21/11/09

Game four for the All-Stars was against Melville at Steele Park #1.

It was a sticky day and with the weather forecast saying the weather would get worse, the skipper decided to bowl (having won the toss again.)

Duncan and Dave opened up and needed to be on their game, with Melville sending out the big guns to get things going. Dunc was bowling great lines, having had the "wides speech" from the skipper.

Dave was trying a few things at the other end, and got hit for a couple of fours before coming up with the the big wicket.

Conditions were deteriorating and the ball was pretty damp - but the boys were showing plenty of commitment in the field. Dan gets a special mention for some great saves.

Speaking of Dan, he struggled in the wet a bit - bowling an over so long that it got made into a mini-series. Nuff - said, it wasn't pretty.

Down the other end Shabir was making his bowling debut for the Cs - and with the list of available bowlers getting short, the skipper was nervous to see what Shabir could produce.

He needn't have have worried though, because Shabbir produced a great spell, bowling 7 on the trot for figures of 2-30.

Down the other end the skipper had relieved Dan, but after 3 overs the ball was soap and he had to revert to seam up. Some guy called Brendon has the dubious honour of being bowled Donnelly, caught Gunn (wk) with the keeper standing back.

Daryll had whipped off the pads and come in to bowl 5 overs at the death - holding the ball like a grenade in the wet. Straight bowling in tough conditions netted him 3 tailenders.

Melville, all out in 33 overs for 158. A gutsy effort in the field by the lads in tricky conditions.

The reply started positively with Melville bowling at Jimmys pads, with no fine leg in. Not a great plan. Brendan was looking poised at the other end, on his way to 37.

By the time Gibbo arrived at the crease the chase was going well - and Melville were down to their experimental bowlers. The result was predictable - smack, smack from Gibbo - he departed for 48 with the game all but won.

It only remained for John and Krishna to knock off the winning runs, and victory #4 was in the bag.

POD Points

Gibbo 3

Shabbir 2

Brendan 1

Next week, Ham East at Steele 2.