A massive 7 wicket victory against the DJs

Despite Rich being super keen — or perhaps simply unable to read fixture dates correctly — and heading to the ground a week early, this morning, when actually required, he unfortunately awoke with a migraine. This left us one man short at the last hour and presented an opportunity for a hero to emerge in the form of Smutty, our chairman and emergency standby.

With our squad severely depleted, CK had garnered support from the Gents, who had very kindly agreed to lend us two players, Sanjay and Nishu. Your correspondent had also managed to recruit the services of Dr Anant Bakshi (making his debut) and the returning footballer-cum-amateur cricketer, Abs.

This season, the Salix captaincy is being rotated and this week the honour — or curse — fell to Daveski. The occasion also marked a personal milestone, as he embarked on his 29th Salix season, surpassing the record previously held by our founder, Tony Fletcher.

Daveski strode out to the middle to contest the toss, with the DJs electing to bat first — exactly what we would have chosen had we won the toss ourselves.

As is customary against the DJs, the match was played as a timed game, with 20 overs to be bowled after 6pm.

Daveski tossed the new ball to Zaf (playing his second consecutive game for us) and entrusted our newest dentist, Anant, with opening from the other end. Following two very tight and tidy overs from the opening pair, Zaf struck in his second over, rattling the stumps and sending the DJs opener back to the pavilion.

Anant continued an excellent spell, particularly impressive given that he had not played any form of cricket since his university days. The pressure created by the opening bowlers ultimately paid dividends when Zaf struck again, inducing a shot that was comfortably caught by Nishu, leaving the DJs at 15 for 2 after 5 overs.

The opening bowlers completed their spells admirably before making way for CK and your correspondent. Anant was unfortunate to finish wicketless, often proving too good for the opposition batsmen. CK settled immediately into his familiar metronomic line and length, creating pressure and inducing a couple of edges that were unfortunately put down by the returning Amar.

Considering his lengthy apprenticeship in fatherhood and babysitting, one might reasonably have expected him to possess an exceptionally safe pair of hands thanks to extensive experience of holding babies. On this occasion, however, he declined to accept the opportunities presented to him. In his defence, both chances were difficult, travelling quickly, staying low and offering little margin for error.

Despite the disappointment, CK continued to plough away, conceding very little and recording a maiden over. At the other end, your correspondent managed to shake off the cobwebs — and the usual leg-side drivel — to contribute two consecutive maidens of his own.

The DJs middle order gradually steadied the ship, taking the score to 43 for 2 after 19 overs. However, a lapse in concentration combined with some sharp Salix fielding resulted in a run-out, with Amar making amends by removing the bails to leave the score at 45 for 3 after 20 overs.

Following a drinks break, necessitated by the blistering heat, skipper Daveski orchestrated a change in bowling, introducing our two saviours from the Gents, Sanjay and Nishu.

Sanjay immediately justified the decision. A mistimed shot in his first over found a Salix fielder and left the DJs at 63 for 4 after 25 overs.

The DJs batsmen responded by increasing the tempo and taking the attack to Nishu, who possessed good pace but was still calibrating his radar. Despite some wayward deliveries, Nishu claimed a wicket in his second over by rattling the batsman's stumps, leaving the score at 67 for 5.

Sanjay struck again in his fourth over, clean bowling the batsman and reducing the DJs to 95 for 6 after 30 overs.

Anant was reintroduced into the attack and, although he could not entirely stem the flow of runs, continued to bowl with determination as the DJs sought to rebuild.

A moment of brilliance in the field from Sanjay then produced another run-out. Amar again made amends for his earlier dropped catches, gathering the ball cleanly and removing the stumps with the batsman scrambling unsuccessfully to make his ground.

The DJs were now 108 for 7 after 33 overs.

Abs meanwhile had put in a gallant shift in the field, displaying his trademark youthful energy. His efforts saved numerous runs and visibly inspired others to raise their own standards.

Whispers and rumours began to circulate from the DJs captain, who was umpiring at the time, that a declaration was imminent. This seemed surprising, given that earlier he had appeared determined to capitalise on every possible run during his own innings — even attempting singles to balls struck directly at fielders. Surely he was bluffing?

Zaf returned to claim another well-deserved wicket, leaving the DJs at 115 for 8. The opposition skipper then confirmed the rumours, announcing that there would be just one more over before the declaration. In truth, given the heat, we were hardly in a position to complain.

The DJs pair batted effectively in the final over, putting Nishu under pressure before eventually declaring on 131 for 8 after 36 overs, leaving Salix requiring 132 for victory.

Following a very quick lunch break — designed to maximise the number of overs available before 6pm — Zaf opened the batting alongside skipper Daveski, as Zaf would be departing early at 5:30pm.

Salix began brightly. Perhaps too brightly.

With the newfound responsibility of captaincy, Daveski appeared to discover an entirely new gear and suddenly found himself running twos. Six runs came from the opening over without loss. It was an encouraging start, but as is often the case with both Salix and life itself, the grass is not always greener.

The second over brought disaster. Zaf was run out, apparently unable to cope with the horsepower generated by Daveski's leadership-inspired V12 engine.

Out came Nishu, making his batting debut for Salix and encouraged enthusiastically by teammates who had heard rumours that he was actually a batsman rather than a bowler. Expectations were high and he did not disappoint.

Displaying elegant stroke play and strong running between the wickets alongside the turbocharged Daveski, Nishu helped move the score to 28 for 1 after 7 overs.

Although Daveski's legs had rediscovered their purpose while running singles and twos, they unfortunately ceased functioning while at the crease in the eighth over, leading to an LBW decision and ending a well-constructed innings of 13. Salix were 28 for 2 after 8 overs.

This brought CK to the crease to join Nishu.

The pair batted superbly, combining patience with controlled aggression. Good deliveries were respected, while anything remotely unworthy was dispatched with extreme prejudice.

Boundaries began to flow regularly and Nishu even launched a towering six as Salix surged towards the target.

By the time the score had reached 117 for 2 after 23 overs, victory seemed all but assured. Nishu had reached a classy half-century, ably supported by the experienced CK, who had contributed 38 runs.

As Daveski headed out to umpire, I remarked:

"Make sure you don't trigger someone, Daveski."

"Interestingly, I haven't given an LBW in about a year," he replied.

Naturally, fate intervened.

In the 24th over, with only five runs required, Daveski gave CK out LBW — entirely correctly, of course, according to Daveski.

Back in the pavilion, Salix players hurriedly began considering whether they needed to pad up. Shamos quickly dispelled any concerns by striking a boundary. With only a single run then required, Nishu and Shamos calmly completed the chase, securing a thoroughly deserved victory.

Nishu finished unbeaten on 53, while Shamos remained not out on 4.

It was a positive response to the previous week's defeat and hopefully the beginning of a sustained run of form.

One thing that may not continue, however, is Daveski's captaincy. After the game he remarked:

"Terrific all-round performance given a somewhat patched-up team, and I shall now very happily not captain again in order to preserve a 100% record."

A smart, if somewhat ruthless, decision from our remarkably intelligent captain, who had proven himself to be a highly competent leader.