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WEDNESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2001
Paul Wilson on the Redbacks' sudden loss of momentum
Any mini break you can get in this hectic season is a huge bonus for anyone but, for the Redbacks, it proved to be too much of a good thing. For those of us that were carrying niggles, the two week break came as a welcome relief but, for others, the momentum of the season was interrupted. Going back to club cricket obviously broke people's concentration and it showed in our recent loss to the Bulls before a big but disappointed home crowd.
Since our last Mercantile Mutual Cup game in Devonport on 21 January the boys have had the chance to play for their clubs for a couple of weeks which is always an enjoyable experience. With first-class cricket becoming more professional every year, the opportunity to play for your club side is rare. Therefore, when the time arises, the chance to get back to where it all began for most of us is treated with enthusiasm and excitement and it provides an excellent chance to get in some good cricket.
During this two week period most of the squad produced some great performances, particularly Jeff Vaughan and my club team mate, Mike Smith, who has taken over forty wickets and scored more than four hundred runs in the competition so far. So, with excitement and anticipation, we prepared ourselves for the return Mercantile Mutual Cup bout against the Bulls following our narrow four run loss to them in the opening game of the season.
Following some very hot weather the day before, it was a welcome relief to wake up to cooler conditions. Being a day-night fixture, starting time was at 2.30pm allowing for a nice sleep in and a casual morning before going down to the ground for the Redbacks' squad photo and warm ups. When you are younger photos don't mean too much but as you get older and wiser (some do anyway!) they become treasured mementos of hard work and mateship. These guys having the photo with you are your extended family for about ten months a year so it is always nice to have something to remember it by.
Stuart Law from the Bulls won the toss and decided to bat on a pretty good track. Hayden and Maher got off to another good start and it was not until the introduction of Mick Miller in the fourteenth over that we saw our first wicket - that of Maher. 'Juice' then removed Hayden soon after, Harrity got rid of Law and the Bulls were, all of a sudden, 3/70. Mick ended up with 3/29 and Harrity 1/41. At this stage things looked pretty good for us and 220 seemed to be the possible target until Wade Seccombe came out and spanked 45 off thirty balls (including two sixes) to allow the Bulls to set us 245 to win.
We did not start well. Fitzy went early, Davies soon followed after he got a start and our skipper, Blewy was run out off the bowler's boot while backing up - very unlucky! From there, we proceeded to lose five wickets for about thirty runs to leave yours truly to go out to bat with the score at 8/89. My partner at the other end was Graham Manou and, thanks to his lusty hitting and my not so lusty hitting, the final score was 143 with Graham contributing an unbeaten 41 and, somehow, I managed to score a dozen. I must apologise to my good friend Michael Kasprowicz for some of the interesting shots I attempted!
This result leaves us in a somewhat precarious position on the table with one game remaining. We have to beat the Bushrangers this Saturday and hope that the Tigers beat the Blues on Sunday to allow us another crack at the Warriors in the Final. After such a great start to this competition, including victory over a full strength NSW, it would a shame to miss out on the chance to go all the way. As I write this there are some changes to the line-up for Saturday's game so hopefully things can turn around and a trophy can once again sit in Adelaide.Special notes for this edition of the Redbacks' diary:
Darren Lehmann's peformance for the Aussies during the Carlton Series; when he got his chance he grabbed it with both hands - well done Boof!
Birthdays for Brett Swain (14/2), Paul Rofe (16/1) and Darren Lehmann (5/2) - Happy Birthdays guys!!
Speak to you all soon,
Blocker
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More Postcards
3 February 2001
Hot weather and hot cricket: Paul Wilson on the Redbacks' January progress
3 January 2001
Reflection, Rest and Renewal: Paul Wilson on the Redback's Christmas break and hopes for the new year
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