Subbuteo Cricket

23/01/19
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Old Sods play a test match...

On the eve of the 2019 SoS OSC tournament, the Old Sods check out the Stadium of Fingers, which is set up for some end of summer Subbuteo Cricket.

Ever open to inspiration and unable to avoid the temptation to play a 00-scale test match between England and Australia, the inaugural Old Sods Subbuteo cricket match commences...

This clip shows the first ever piece of footage of the event, featuring Spudski bowling to Ute Ubo, watched on by Puffin, JohnClu48 and Donald 'Fabio' Crowhurst'...

Here we witness Ute Ubo's first ever 'Old Sod' runs, with a cleverly-placed streaky edge for a boundary. Note all the slips are on the leg side for this left-hander! ?

As Rocket steps up to bowl his first over, Spud reminds the gathered ensemble of the importance of banter-esque sledging and the gold standard to aspire to...?
A slomo of an early wicket. Things can be bit quick in Subbuteo cricket for the naked eye, but here it was clear to all - Fabio is definitely cleaned bowled by John!!
All the Old Sods were fairly inexperienced newbies as far as Subbuteo Cricket is concerned. Here is Fabio's first delivery. Spud playing down the wrong line!
Fingers tries out a reverse sweep and a scoop shot against Fabio's bowling, with varied success...
Rudi arrives and starts his lesson in Subbuteo Cricket. First lesson - keep a close eye on the game!
Fabio getting the hang of this game, with another wicket, dismissing Down the Wing! Then Puffin humbles him with a lofted drive for four to long off...
Puffin is now getting his eye in, with a lovely square cut - the most cultured shot of the game! The Old Sods are collectively impressed - Good shot Sir!
Finger's bowling a bit of spin, which is erratic at best. Puffin 's eye is in, but he's done all ends up around his legs.
Fabio comes in to bat. Fingers shows no mercy, with unplayable spin... until Fabio hits him for six. The only 6 of the game...
In the end, the only way Fabio was getting out was by another Italian. Rudi - getting the hang of bowling...
Fabio carefully explains Subbuteo Cricket rules, tactics and nuances to Rudi, with the Olds Sods in their element.
Only watch this if you are ready - A painful experience of trying to retrieve the ball from a slip fielder's cup, while leaning over the East Stand in the Stadium of Fingers...
Ute Ubo enjoys his bowling. Fingers enjoys his batting. This contest should therefore have been well-matched. It wasn't...! One of them celebrates and one is decidedly sad...
"When you're ready" says our Italian batsman. Followed by "I wasn't ready! as the stump cartwheels across the pitch!
Ute Ubo bowls to Puffin. A wicket is claimed, but the umpire (who clearly needs glasses) doesn't give it! ?
Ute Ubo gets a little careless with no slip cordon and fails to spot the 'fly-slip' who Rocket sneakily placed into a catching position!
Back to bowling, Ute bowls a tidy over, taking out John's leg stump, leaving Australia nine wickets down in their 2nd innings.

Hat-trick ball

One close-up video clip was taken for a hat-trick ball...

Ute, was having a purple patch with the ball and had already dispatched two fine Old Sods back to the pavilion...First Puffin, and then Fabio...

The hat-trick ball was fended off by an Older and Wiser Sod (Rocket), playing a solid forward defensive shot.

Even so, the ball nearly found a way through...

The last wicket to fall...

Fingers, tries to nullify the devastating Ute Ubo bodyline bowling, by taking a long stride down the pitch.

The tactic fails miserably and Australia are all out, beaten by an innings and 25 runs!

The Old Sods then strolled back to the pavilion to watch highlights of their game.

Suffice to say there was some plentiful sledging of the umpire with some suggested visits to the opticians...

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