There will be a weekend this season when I don’t have to start off a preview talking about the weather. Once again, Saturday looks like a write off, but we have said this on many occasions before and got away with it.
The First XI will be hoping to get a game going with South Wilts as it may well be a pivotal relegation scrap. A win and The Oaks are on there way to safe territory. A loss and they are right back in the mire. A wet day and nothing changes.
There are only two changes with Brad Compton- Bearne back in Wales after visiting last week, and Matt Burrell away. Back come James Bayliss and Dan Jones. So, once again, the bowling looks strong and the batting…well, let’s see what we are made of without Brad. Stern stuff we hope.
Much depends on how heavy the morning rain is and whether we get the covers off. It doesn’t look great. In fact, it is bordering on futile.
The Two’s won’t be travelling to Easton and Martyr as they have no covers. The same applies to the Third XI who will be calling their game off at some point between 10 and 10:30 AM. It’s a shame for the second string as they were just starting to find a bit of form after a disastrous start.
Unfortunate too for the third string as Dan, at last, managed to get a competitive team up for the home fixture versus struggling Froxfield. We live in hope, but I have so much to do today, I really can’t galvanise myself to add more detail to a preview that won’t count for much.
On Sunday, we have one player available for our local derby with Dummer. We made the difficult decision to cancel this game after deciding that to ask a Colts player to bowl, wicket keep and field all at the same time, was a bit much. It is important to get these young lads time on the pitch but we must also be aware of welfare issues; fielding your own bowling for up to 40 Overs is a big ask. Sadly, one must assume that Sunday cricket at Oakley is dead and buried. The price of having a Third League team on a Saturday.
Still, if the forecast is correct, it saves me watering the garden and will also allow me to get the Shark hoover out.
Whoopy bloody doo!