Another Successful Duck Hunt

Oslo Aliens played the Bislet ducks at Ekeberg II after a typical NCF mess-up meant the the scheduled ground, Rommen, was double booked. Good car capacity allowed both teams to high-tail it to Ekeberg for the game go ahead. The Ducks made 60-odd for eleven in their 20 overs, but the 11th and 12th men did not come in before the final over showing a marked improvement for them. Aliens then knocked off the runs quickly before batting their 20 overs out.

There follows a brief resume of the performances which contributed to the Aliens' win.

Ward, T – Tim pulled out late and had to look after his baby, but came along and umpired 3/4 of the game for us. This was appreciated by all players apart from Ravi, who found out just how quick Tim is on the draw.

Venkat, T – Started a little off-key, struggling to find his line to the Duck's left-handed opener. Really hit his strides after the first over though and was unlucky not to have taken more wickets.

Vijai – Opened the bowling with Venkat and looked good from the off, finding movement in the air and off the wicket. Upset Kopke by bowling a length ball which reared over the batsman's shoulder and then two feet over poor Marcus's head.

Devlin, D – Did not play in the game but received a panicky phone-call from Stovner at 1630 stating that the ground was double-booked and that players were starting to arrive. Damien then spent the next hour or so on the 'net and telephone to the ncf konkuransekommitte, Oslo kommune and the White House to find us a new ground. Without his help the game could not have gone ahead so all players owe him a debt of gratitude.

Scudder, J – Bowled three useful overs of left-arm medium at the death. Encouraged his captain without a trace of sarcasm. This earnt him the number three spot where he played a controlled supporting role to both Clive and Malcolm.

Lyon, M – Injured his back early while having to adjust to a deviating ball on the pin-ball Ekeberg II surface. Was never short of bowling change ideas for his captain until, that is, his spell was over. However he proved the wisdom of his words with a fine spell of swing bowling that the Ducks found impossible to get close to.

Kuhlwilm, D – Was not given much of a go by the skipper, but was solid and uncomplaining in the field as he traipsed from square-leg to square-leg. Hit the top of one stump from 20 metres to effect a run-out and then showed that he can put bat to ball with some controlled and powerful cricket shots at the end of the game.

Kopke, M – Faultless behind the stumps, Marcus looked at home in his first game of the season, apart from the aforementioned ball from Vijai. Needs to curb his enthusiasm somewhat when shouting “Keepers end!” for ALL run-outs though.

Kiran, R – Another who tirelessly and uncomplainingly traipsed round the field in the cold for twenty overs. Ravi looked sharp at point all evening and then crashed a super cut-shot for four just in front of that region before misjudging a straight one and falling L.B.W

Delport, C – Took three excellent reflex catches in the slips in between trying to set the field and constantly whining at his captain for a bowl. Scored a rapid 50 at the top of the order to win the game for the Aliens before being retired on 53. I hope he will ponder the reasons for this.

De Beurs, M – Mitchell continued his fine form this season and unveiled a never-before-seen afterburner. He bowled his usual out-swing on the off-stump line that we have all come to expect of him. Today he looked two yards quicker and had good carry through to the keeper.

Bremner, WM – Encouraging and sparky from gully, Malcolm came in to bat towards the end of the innings, but still had time to biff a rapid 40 at a strike-rate that must have been around 300! Unfortunately this prompted the Skipper to retire him 4 overs before the end.

Boxall, A – A win from the debutant captain, standing in for the never-present Max Cook. Encouraged by a ball with a seam, Boxy bowled three overs of leg-spin for two wickets with two further catches being put down off his bowling. Added to a diving falling catch in the field and a direct hit run-out thrown from a dive position the vice-captain with pretensions had a very enjoyable evening.

This game has become an annual event and talk of the Alien Duck challenge trophy has been bandied about. Hopefully this will see the light of day.