The word “Par” derives from the Latin “equal” and the term was used in golf from the 19th Century to indicate the number of shots a golfer should take to complete each hole. In cricket there are references to a "par score" in the early 20th Century Century with the term becoming more popular when statisticians Duckworth-Lewis used par to describe what the team batting should have scored based on the concept of "team resources".
For all its mathematical elegance, it’s a fair bet that Duckworth-Lewis would agree that a first innings par score at Broadhalfpenny Down was 180; 15% less would mean a likely loss and 15% more would be a probable draw.
Brigands won the toss and batted, a decision influenced by one batter being stuck in Victorious Festival traffic and another late because he was busy doing jobs around the house.
The visitors, Butterflies CC, are a team made up of old boys from six of Englands most traditional schools; they wear brightly coloured caps, are young and athletic, and play in a good spirit.
The new ball was difficult to hit and zipped around on a lively pitch. Just 6 runs from 6 overs, then a steady fall of wickets; David Mann bowled, Rupert Preece caught, Charlie Clarke yorked, and then Gerry Northwood LBW.
The score was 41-4 and a par score of 180 looked a long way off.
Dave Henderson came into bat and survived a loud LBW appeal first ball, the bowler was so confident that he appealed twice in exasperation.
Henderson and debutant Jude Wright then counter attacked with contrasting styles; Henderson cut and pulled, Wright straight drove and leg flicked, and the pair doubled the score in just 6 overs.
Wright hit 2 sixes and 10 fours in his 76, Henderson hit 10 fours in his 76, and was last man out with the score on 197, a score better than par.
It was a community-cricket-tea; everyone did something of which the highlights were sandwiches from Preece and home made cake from the Northwood’s. There was a chance to appreciate our scorers, who for this match included Peter Danks and Caroline Green who is considered to be amongst the best scorers in England.
Brigands were pleased to see Mike Beardall walking around the boundary, slowly, after heart surgery and we look forward to seeing him bagging wickets next season.
On a day of strong winds (the sight screens blew over three times) Neil Wood gave the ball extra flight and wobble, and he bowled the dangerous Butterfly Tom Perry first ball. His partner, Alex Benson hit 14 quickly then went back and was bowled by a straight ball that kept low from Wood.
It was so windy that Mark Smith didn’t hear the call of “heads” from a panicked Charlie Clark whose throw from the boundary hit the Square Leg Umpire on the back of his head; he retired hurt as a Tom & Jerry bruise started to emerge.
Ed Wyld and Harry Altham got the score to 60 before the Butterflies fluttered by; Dave Turner got a wicket with a slow straight one and Lee Gray hit the top of off stump with two snorting deliveries. Peter Stearn then bounced out Butterflies skipper Oscar Chalk, who sportingly walked when he gloved to the keeper. Surprisingly, this was the only catch of the innings, and Butterflies finished on 132 all out.
Comments