Beefy Botham`s boys vs Jamees 999ers
Pre-Match Preview
With Graham Loxley, Angelo Dilhan and Geoffrey Boycott.
GL: Good evening. I'm Graham Loxley, former Jamees 999ers bowler, and welcome to Northamptonshire for the build-up to the English Cup game between Beefy Botham`s boys and Jamees 999ers. With me tonight I have Angelo Dilhan, a 999er, and 12th man for tomorrow's game, and Geoffrey Boycott, England and Yorkshire's former opener.
AD: Thank you Graham. Let's not beat around the bush, and get straight into the build-up to tomorrow's match. Geoffrey, you've had a look at the pitch, what is your opinion?
GB: Thank you Angelo. It's a poor pitch, t'be honest with you, and I wouldn't fancy batting on it. It's not very even, it's got a big dip at the stumps at each end, it's cracked in places, and Gareth Bardle, the famous 999ers bowler will be delighted to see this. The forecast tomorrow is partially cloudy, but with the sun peaking through on occasion.
GL: We'll talk about Bardle later, but let's start by having a look at the batting line-up of the 999ers. We have the eleven names and they are as follows:
Edward Trotman*
Ken Nix
Hamid Gowshall
Maurice Aldred
Jlloyd Ndah
Kirk Hinshelwood
Andrew Lea
Mohamed Devapriya+
Kevin Sugden
Gareth Bardle
Jordan Smith
AD: We've got the big name down there at 10, in Bardle, but it is unwise to underestimate Hamid Gowshall. He's proficient at consistently scoring runs, and has his heart, and head set on making a big score tomorrow. If he makes a big score, and the strength of Trotman, Aldred, Nix and Ndah fire, then we could be on for 300.
GB: It's a very good batting attack, Lea down at 7 can hit out very well, and Hinshelwood has taken some very strong bowlers t'town when he's got the chance to bat. The bowling attack has been described as a bit hit-and-miss since you left though, Graham. What do you think?
GL: Let me say one thing to start. Gareth Bardle is a truly remarkable bowler. He is the best bowler I've ever had the honour of bowling with. To think that he is just one year older than me is amazing. New recruit, Australian Jordan Smith has shown flashes of brilliance in his career, and Kevin Sugden has taken the club from their beginnings, and been one of the better players. He's taken the 999ers out of many a sticky spot, and I just hope he won't have to tomorrow.
AD: If I can butt in, just for a moment, although they are all-rounders, Maurice Aldred and Kirk Hinshelwood can't be under-estimated with the ball. Kirk's spin is very dangerous, ripping it as much as he can, and although he does bowl some loose balls, when they pitch right, and spin, they are very dangerous. Maurice is a sensible bowler, from the same school as Gareth, pitch it in the right places, and get it nipping off the seam. Accurate, and he might not get you out every over, but he's hard to get away.
GB: Well, now we've got a special guest. Live on the phone from the team bus, is manager of the 999ers, Jamee Gray.
JG: Evening, Geoffrey. Hi Angelo, and Graham! How you been?
GL: Fine thanks. Now Jamee, to business. How do you rate your chances for tomorrow?
JG: Big questions first, I see! Tomorrow will, in no way, be easy. We'll have to battle for every run, and every wicket. They're a strong team. They've got a very big start to their batting order. If we can get them pegged back early, we'll have an advantage. The opening twenty overs of their innings could decide the match. It's a big game for Gareth, obviously, and the batting order will have an important job as well.
AD: Thank you Jamee. Now, gentlemen let's round off this section. Who will be the key man for the 999ers. Graham?
GL: It's got to be Bardle for me. He'll be the best player on the pitch.
AD: Yeah, I agree, if Gareth fires, then Botham`s boys will be in big trouble.
GB: I'm going to go for an outside the box selection. Hamid Gowshall. The biggest batsman they have, and a key man. If they end up chasing a total around 270, he'll be the key man.
GL: Join us after the break for analysis of Beefy Botham`s boys.
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