Muddies tear up United
Muddies tear up United
Monday December 3 2014, 3:30pm
In another clinical performance, the Astute Financial Muddies defeated United by an innings and 98 runs at home on the weekend.
Resuming their first innings at 2 – 129, the Astute Financial Muddies, lead by Nathan King and Hayden D’Addona (43 and 30 not out respectively), looked to set a big target to further intimidate United.
With only one of the opening bowlers resuming the attack (the other opener was apparently too hung over to bowl), the batting was made easier.
The fact that United also only had 9 fielders to start with meant that there were plenty of gaps to turn the strike over with, and that’s just what they did. Running well between wickets (on most occasions), and hitting the occasional four, Kingy easily passed his 50.
With a few more runs scored in short time, Kingy then stunned everyone saying ‘Nah that’s it, I’ve had enough, I retire’.
No-one was really sure what was happening, until they realised Kingy’s score: 63. Through his actions, Kingy had paid the ultimate respect and shown the true spirit of cricket and sportsmanship, retiring on the same score as fallen Aussie Cricket hero, Phillip Hughes, 63 n.o.
This shows just what a great man Kingy is, and what the Astute Muddies are all about.
With Kingy resting in the clubhouse, Nathan (NT) Taig took to the crease, but was quickly sent packing with a first ball duck, out plumb in front of the stumps.
Young Tommy Goodall went to the middle, with the only instruction being that he was to score as quickly as possible.
This went well for a short while, but this was undone when he tried correcting his shot from a slower ball and was caught behind.
Sam Leo spent time at the crease with Hayden, turning the strike over with a few byes and leg byes, but was removed for 1 after hitting an easy chance to the outfield.
This left Dos and Ethan ‘Peanut’ McCullough to tee off. After some quick runs, Benny V declared, with the final score in 214.
Hayden was left on a superb 74n.o. – his second half century in a row.
Needing to make 157 runs just to make the Astute Muddies bat again, United looked to take on the bowlers straight up.
However, there were quickly put back into their shell within 5 overs after being beaten over and over again by ‘Angry Man’ Deep and Mister V.
Deep got the initial break through, getting his Indian slider to get through the gates and rattle the stumps.
Benny V then swapped back to his favourite end after giving it up for Deep, and found success within a couple of overs.
Mister V then again failed to convert his second hat-trick chance of the season, but had provided Taigy and Dos with the first of their catches for the day.
Riding high on his quality dig, Kingy then came steaming in and got some life from the deck, but couldn’t snare a pole.
Sam ‘shrug off training’ Leo and Hayden (HD) D’Addona took over the bowling.
The young fella on the back of a long not out bat, picked up a (in the words of the 12th man) ‘simply marvellous’ caught and bowled chance low down at his ankles. United now only had 6 wickets in hand with 2 hours left to bat at tea.
The final bowling combination of the day, HD and the real no. 1 Taigy, resumed after tea.
It wasn’t long before Dos was back in the action, claiming and edge and a catch for Taigy.
He then followed it up rattling the stumps of the 1st innings stalwart on only his second ball he faced.
HD then stepped up for the umpteenth time in this match.
In an effort worthy of an Australian fielding effort, HD ran in from mid-wicket, performed a one hand pick-up and side-arm throw in the one action, and in all the possible High Definition clarity you can imagine, hit middle stump with a direct throw to dismiss old Bernie, to the sheer delight of the fielders and the small but vocal group of C grade Muddies players in the clubhouse backing up after their morning game in Cairns.
NT and Dos then teamed up again, with the Astute Muddies trademark full toss delivery again providing another catch to Hayden, his 3rd for the day.
Taigy then tickled the stumps for a double wicket maiden.
With only one wicket left, Taigy then shared the love by providing a catch for Deep at short square leg, to dismiss United for less than 60 for the second time this match.
The Astute Financial Muddies claiming another outright victory, this time by an innings and 98 runs. This win sits the Astute Muddies in first place, 3 points clear of the Toads.
The stand out performances for this game were Randal with 44, Kingy’s superb display of respect and honour 63n.o., Taigy with match figures of 4 – 10 off 12 overs and 2 2nd innings catches, BV with 5 – 25 off 15 overs, but the stand out performance was Haydos with 74 not out, 3 wickets, 3 2nd innings catches and a run out.
This shows just how many different players are contributing week in week out to the teams performances.
There is a great feel in the team and everyone is enjoying their cricket, and all are really looking forward to taking on the ‘Cairns Taxi Services’ Punjabi team this round in the last 2 day home game before Christmas.
Come down Saturday and watch the local T20 Cricket finals, and then back up Sunday at 1pm for the Astute Muddies vs Punjabi game.
