A's in Command against Boys High

With Sitrlo playing prems, stand in captain Aidan was looking forwarward to having a bowl, whoever won the toss. However, boys high surprised by winning it and inserting us to bat on what was a true belter of a deck. The Skipper gave makeshift openers JB and Rohit the low down on staying in till drinks at all costs, which they nearly did - with JB falling the ball before drinks, and Rohit falling three balls after (maybe he shouldn't have been so specific about the length of time he wanted them to stay in?). This started a bit of a collapse to see us 60/4 before Toby joined Commins at the crease for what was the defining partnership of the day. Whan Commins fell for 45 the score was 160/5 and with some batting to come we were looking good for a score in excess of 250. Toby scored a very good 60, but unfortunately another Star collapse saw us all out for 210, a little short of the total we hoped for but one we were very confident of defending.

Some pace, swing and seam from Jess and Aidan had the openers jumping about early, but one in particular soon got on top and was slogging and top edging all over the place. A change bought Phil into the attack who bowled one of the spells of the season, removing both openers bowled, with another added later on to end up with superb figures of 3/20 from 10, though it should have been 4 with a blatant caught behind being given not out from the first ball their number 4 faced. Shabbir's brother Zabbir came out to some good natured ribbing in english from his older sibling, and some apparently unrepeatable stuff in Afghani, however it didn't seem to work as he settled down to look like their most capable batsman (he was also their best bowler and someone the club will certainly have their eye on for next year!). It took one of the catches of the season from Josh (yes, Josh) to dismiss him after he put up a skyer which Josh made about 30 metres and a sliding catch to come up with the pill amazingly still in his hands. No one thought he would get close, including toby at slip who quite loudly when the ball was in the air stated 'no f**ken way he's going to hold on to that'. The catch all but ended a very good day with Boys high about 110/6 and their bowlers to come, and hopefully a good first innings lead early next week.

Not sure if POD points are given after day one, but if they are:
Phil 3
Toby 2
Commins 1