Rabbani Runs The Show

Lindum 2nd XI produced another excellent all-round performance to record a third straight victory at home to Outcasts on Saturday. On a baking day at the LCG it was vital we won the toss and had a bat to make the most of the conditions and our lengthy batting line up. Unfortunately, the visiting skipper called correctly, but fortunately, decided to have a bowl. Great toss to lose. The now established partnership of Pricey and Ozzy opened up and got us off to a flyer, stroking the ball to all parts. Both survived relatively straight forward catching opportunities and the score raced along to 106 before Pricey was bowled reaching for one in the 19th over for a mighty fine 67. He was replaced by Aidan who, after struggling to get off the mark initially, soon found his flow and continued to push the score along with Oz, who brought up his second 50 in three weeks in the 22nd over. Aidan soon became the third batsman to reach the half century mark as the 200 mark was passed in the 31st over - another huge score looked on the cards. Tension began to grow in the Lindum ranks as a tiring Ozzy approached his maiden century... An edge through third man allowed he and Aidan to run a three - just what you need on a baking hot day when you've been batting for two hours - but it was enough to bring up the superb ton from 105 balls to send the onlookers into raptures. After a terrific partnership of 160, Aidan was stumped as he looked to go on the attack but the Lindum batsmen just kept on coming. Euan was in at four and hit a quickfire 20 before being bowled, but not before Ozzy had brought up his 150 to pile on the Lindum runs. Dan was in at five and hit a speedy 24 before Ozzy's endurance finally gave in, run out for a quite magnificent 171, which is more than some of us have scored all season... Anyway the innings closed on a remarkable 350-4 and a good bowling and fielding performance would all but secure the win.

Outcasts' openers came flying out of the blocks, both playing aggressively in pursuit of the total. One hit six fours in his score of 24 before going big one too many times off Jordan, with Wellsy taking the stunning diving catch at mid-on. It was taken in his usual 'pushed down the stairs' style, but at least he kept hold of this one. 40-1. This was quickly followed by wicket number two as an attempted pull off a full delivery hit the batsman on the back leg in front of middle which usually means you're out. Ted claimed wicket number three next over; his lovely delivery was snicked behind and Euan did the rest. The fourth wicket partnership of 134, spanning more than 25 overs, coupled with the heat, frustrated Lindum and it looked as though the 10 wickets, and 20 points, may be getting out of sight. However, the returning Ted got the vital breakthrough in the 36th over with the score on 191, and also took the fifth wicket a few balls later meaning Lindum required five more wickets to claim all of the precious points. Step forward Harry Vincent Wells, death bowler supremo. Victim number one was caught well on the boundary by Aidan and number two was clean bowled, before Jordan got in on the late action, his cutter being sliced into the air and Ollie took the catch at mid-off. Two overs left and two wickets to take. Wellsy claimed his third in the 49th, his pace proving too hot to handle as he clean bowled another, before Jordan sealed the win with four balls to go as the batsman chipped to Ted at short cover for the simplest of catches to hand Lindum the 20 points and complete the perfect performance. Well, nearly perfect - Ozzy dropped two catches, but we'll let him off.