What a lovely afternoon. The weather set fair and a more than respectable crowd in the ground to support Leicestershire stalwart Paul Nixon in his benefit year.
With a somewhat more consistent selection policy ‘Nico’ could have been parading his talents for England at Bristol but the national team’s loss was Kibworth’s gain and there was a 20/20 match to entertain the crowd who were too old to use the bouncy castle.
The visiting side was principally made up of County players but a couple of guest players from the Tigers, D Grewcock Esq and a certain gentleman who was by no means unadjacent to Martin Johnson, swelled their ranks. Dan Broughton immediately suggested he fancied bouncing the Rugby legend confident in the knowledge he was quick enough to leg it afterwards.
Kibworth conceded the toss and went out to field. Quite what the Nixon XI thought they would face in terms of opening bowling from a club in the Final of the National Knockout is unsure but I’m certain Jeremy Snape didn’t expect a pie chucking 4th team Captain, the only man in Christendom who could out moonball its chief exponent. Believe it or not the 2 overs Villy sent down were the most economical of any Kibworth bowler with only 12 conceded and the laughter will probably take days to subside.
As expected the County pro’s were pretty merciless on anything loose and the ball began to fly to the boundary at pretty regular intervals. Those with cars near the edge began shuffling uncomfortably in their seats as the leather flew within millimetres of expense metal. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily for the victim, only one car got pinged and was left with a dented bonnet. Not only are 4X4 drivers being taxed off the road they are also being used for target practice by England wicketkeepers. It’s a tough old world!
When Nico did come to the wicket he was greeted by a generous reception and the bowling of Josh ‘boyband’ Cobb. All the home players joked how it would rain on Nico’s parade if he was dismissed first ball but how close the star of the show came to a swift return ticket. The appeal was loud, Nico was decidedly red faced as he escaped with a leg bye and presumably the ball was somehow going to burrow under middle stump.
Nico made good use of his life and recorded a hard hit fifty with a few of this trade mark reverse sweeps before being joined at the crease for the finale by Johnno. (For the record Broughts declined the opportunity to give the man mountain some chin music). The visitors closed on 204.
Presumably Johnno had taken off his pads and declared that he was opening the bowling, well who was going to tell him otherwise? For the record, Charlie Morgan and Scott Boswell were the custodians of the willow facing him.
Apparently Johnno had cleared up Graeme Hick in a previous benefit game and duly added Charlie to his list of victims with an LBW decision given by umpire Pedley. Now I wouldn’t say it was a dubious decision but the front pad did appear to be on some form of World Tour down the wicket when the ball struck, less Leg Before Wicket more Don’t Beat Me Up Before Wicket. Charlie departed the scene with a wry grin.
The next 15 overs involved Boswell and Nick Ferraby larruping the bowling to the four corners of Fleckney Road as the scoreboard began to take an unexpectedly interesting look. A rather brisk spell by David Masters slowed the scoring before both batsman departed for the pavilion.
By the time the last over came about 17 were required and Nico brought himself on for a twirl. 17 required off 6 became 5 wanted off the last ball which was squirted for a single before suspiciously being called a no-ball with much associated pantomime by the County stumper. The next delivery really was the last one and a scampered two brought about a highly satisfactory tie.
408 runs scored in 40 overs was ample entertainment for the crowd and we hope suitably rewarding for Nico and his chosen charities.
Just as a footnote it was heart warming to see some star struck youngsters wandering around with miniature bats looking for signatures. God bless two in particular who came into the wrong dressing room hoping to snare a trophy of the day. I’ll leave you to guess which two of the Kibworth line up couldn’t resist the opportunity!
