Styles-ish Work

Ben Stokes' shock retirement today is a reminder that things change and Fleckney are no stranger to that sentiment.

Take Andy Loomes for example, up until recently he was streets ahead in terms of recognisable nicknames but just one week has brought Ollie Timms right on his tail. I mean, Gobshite is an alright nickname but not exactly ground breaking. However chuck in a 'Flip Flop' and a 'Cat Burglar' and you have to admit a new contender is on the block.

Admittedly there is no direct link between amount of nicknames and bowling position but on this particular afternoon it was enough for Ollie to move into opening bowler and Twinkle to drop to first change.

Behind the stumps Tom Seymour Smith also ushered in a fresh generation as he took over from the Fat Keeper who then prowled the gully like an elephant with particularly painful Gout. He also took a catch like a drunken crocodile, but it stuck. James Sheath ( painfully short of a decent nickname himself) took two catches and a wicket. One catch was loopy but the second was hit at trouser browning velocity.

Taking catches is not always easy. Poor Manraj had one burst through his hands and give him a painful smack across the bridge of his hooter. The game stopped, concerned players gathered around but after a moment to recover and gather his composure he decided to carry on. We applaud such care and resilience, we don't perhaps applaud the player who loudly asked "Was it a dropped catch though?" . No name are mentioned but if it happens again we will finish off his haircut. 😉

The visitors closed on 253 which was a really fine effort against strong opponents. Pick of the bowling was probably young Henry who was again a metronome and utterly unflappable. 1 for 38 off his overs shouldn't be understated but it's seemingly just how he rolls.

Senior batting was , unlike the Fat Keeper on the floor, a little thin on the ground so experimentation was again the order of the day. Seth opened the batting with the skipper. Seth was simply magnificent whereas the skipper lasted 2 balls before coming back and playing with his niece a lot more successfully than the delivery that got him out.

Seth carried his bat for 62 in an innings of application, concentration and glimpses of real quality. We couldn't be more proud of his maiden 50 , he is a fine young cricketer and a very impressive young man.

It wasn't just Seth. Mandeep bludgeoned 56 off 27 balls. It's a real puzzle how such a genuinely lovely man can bat with such unrelenting violence. One cleared the ball net and was last seen entering Bowls Club airspace. Absolutely brutal.

Finally Tom went into bat on a hat-trick ball and had no thought of defence . He hit a 2, a huge six down the ground and then had his poles rearranged. Short, sweet but massively entertaining.

Fleckney closed on 196 for 9 and literally everyone contributed something. Sure they lost but to get as close as they did with a team short of experience was a fine old effort. The captain was very proud, and so he should be.

It's Shepshed away next week. A trip to the wilds of North Leicestershire. Maybe the spirit of change and adventure will usher in a victory, well maybe....