CRICKET
By
LSPT Chris Barnes
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HMAS
Melbourne’s first XII ready for action during a port
visit in The Gulf.
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Cricket
Gulf style with the HMAS Melbourne team fielding against
the locals.
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With
HMAS Melbourne (CMDR Vern Dutschke) on duty again in The Gulf,
a recent port visit allowed a spot of cricket to be played.
The ship’s company took on a local expat team full of confident
and very vocal Poms.
The locals were first up on the concrete pitch, while Melbourne’s
team of 12 strategically positioned themselves evenly all the
way around the boundary.
It didn’t take long before the 24-over limit was up, with
the first nine batters obtaining the maximum of 20 runs each and
a score of 0-249 (including extras).
Melbourne then took to the pitch.
The start looked promising with some stylish batting from ABCSO
Tilbrook and LSMT Murphy, however Spud’s comment before he
left, “I’ll see you boys in a few minutes” proved
very true.
Tilly continued his good batting while ABCSO Bemet joined him.
Both batters reached the boundary on numerous occasions, including
a huge six by Berno that smashed the scoreboard.
Tilly soon reached the maximum of 20 runs, then took the walk
along the dusty desert field to the boundary.
The
walk was a little more dusty for CPOCSM Astill and LSCSO Maughan,
both of whom confidently took to the pitch but where dismissed
for golden ducks.
LSMT Rister batted well often smashing their fast bowlers to the
boundary.
By the time Melbourne had been bowled out, their score was a proud
11-149.
Once the game was over it was off for a social dinner arranged
by the local hosts. Special presentations where awarded to CPOCIS
Astill and LSCSO Maughan for the golden ducks. Other Melbourne
players included LSPT Barnes, LSET Leverett, LSCSO Wagenknecht,
LSCSO Gilchrist, LSCSO Scott and ABCSO Johnston.
