FCCL Mystic Meg

With the Four Counties Cricket League season indefinitely halted due to the dreaded virus, I shed light on what would've happened had play started as it should!

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

Lockdown and the virus has deprived us of our main summer fun/torture – I look into my crystal ball and enlighten those desperate to know what would have happened. Enjoy. #justabitoffun / #deadlyserious

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

With Zaheer's wicket came a mini collapse, and it was only due to the Westcroft number 9 - in black socks and pristine white plimsolls - hitting 3 sixes off a @thejudge09 over, that took Westcroft to 150 all out.

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

Westcroft batted first against @northcrawleycc & were in trouble early on as @CarlBryce picked up a first over wicket and the bowlers kept it tight, Iqbal John taking 31 balls to get off the mark. Zaheer Khan rescued the innings somewhat with 42 to take them to respectability

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

But just as an upset looked on the cards, a mid-innings collapse sculpted by veteran @Jack69Jackson put paid to @SoulburyCc's chances, even despite a cameo late 28 from @Cookiequotes92, and were all out for 165, @elstowcc winning by 25.

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

First to @SoulburyCc, where @elstowcc won the toss and batted, @R_Thiarra01 expecting his men to pile on the runs against the relegation threatened home side. But it proved a tough ask as Turnbull started uncharacteristically slowly and @nickmead49 picked up two early wickets

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

But @R_Thiarra01 played a captains knock of 74 as wickets fell around him, only @CainHB_ sticking with him to see @elstowcc to 190, all out in the last over. @SoulburyCc were solid in reply early on as Elstow searched for wickets, Akhtar crashing boundaries freely.

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

The @FCCL2001 may have been cancelled, but the crystal ball still lets you know what would have happened. My senses tell me there are still lots of twists and turns left in the season. Saturday's game of the day was @BiddenhamCC who entertained @olney_cc in a humdinger.

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@swashbuckling50 @box_office01 @princeridders There was, I'll update now. On 'cricket returns' announcement I spent the entire weekend celebrating in the pub garden. Only then did I hear FCCL had cancelled 2020, and realised I've got to carry this on for another 9 weeks!

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

So after a dramatic weekend the @FCCL2001 has opened right up, @northcrawleycc now in pole position with a game in hand on leaders @elstowcc after their shock loss to Westcroft, who still stay rooted to the bottom. And have @olney_cc, after a great start, lost their way??

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

It took a partnership of 81 between @glinton79 and Ayaz Hussain to put @BiddenhamCC within sight of a record chase. But both fell to @alfiegodfrey2 in a mini collapse with 10 still needed 9 down, and @SamAidanMorris sealed it with a final over boundary to steal a dramatic win

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

Even with all the upsets, undoubtedly the game of the day in the @FCCL2001 was @NBCC_Official's trip to @BiddenhamCC. As the clouds swirled ominously around Deep Spinney, miraculously not a single drop touched The Road and the match escaped with a full 40 a side.

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@WillLowerson, promoted to open, crashed the first 3 balls of the innings to the fence and set the tone for the batsmen. @tjsgill hit a brisk 30, @davidmorrish14 41, but while the runs flowed, the wickets kept ticking, to wily @jimmymac17976 with @BiddenhamCC 156-4 at halfway.

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@elstowcc, without talisman Turnbull (serving a match ban) were guilty of some calamitous running attempting to keep on top of the required rate, @R_Thiarra01 & @Jackflynn132 falling foul, and even a @sjrobbo82 37* from number 10 couldn't get them over the line, falling 20 short

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@elstowcc also saw the deluge delay their start against Westcroft, but upon resumption the visitors strangely (not strangely) opted to bat. The reduced 29 over affair suited them and they punished all Elstow bowlers for big 6s in a whirlwind show of swing-from-the-hip-batting

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

The Westcroft number 9 - batting in a bright green Pakistan rain jacket as the dark clouds loomed - exemplified their approach, dancing down the pitch to hit 3 successive sixes off @Jackflynn132 before tripping over and being bowled attempting a fourth, Westcroft all out 172

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@dubzy1977 fell second over to @stuey8for22 but from there on in, a mixture of measured batting, dropped catches and some fortune saw Parker and @oO_D_A_L_E_Oo chase the total 1 down (@swashbuckling50, promoted to 4, with severe pad rash) giving @greathorwoodcc a famous win

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

The mother of all downpours @greathorwoodcc threatened to derail cricket for the day against @olney_cc but with both teams desperate for a win to revive their seasons, remarkable scenes saw both sets of players use their towels to dry wet wicket ends and see a 30 over game set up

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@olney_cc were asked to bat and found it tough going on the Horwood slopes, none of the top 5 getting past 20. @stuey8for22 and @wrighty0101 hit some entertaining lower order lusty late runs as they finished 148-9, @armitageadam99 picking up 3-21

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@maltwalker1 fell early in reply but Adam peppered the short playground-side boundary and Collings played the perfect foil, blunting @ThurleighCC's main man @brody_willerton. Both fell to @robsteancoach's occasionals, but @northcrawleycc got home 5 down, 5 balls to spare

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

In the crucial top of the table match @northcrawleycc, despite black clouds looming there was enough time for @ThurleighCC to be put in & @CourtzG97 to have Wood caught driving before rain intervened. Eager to take advantage, Bryce convinced Norman to #getthegameon & play resumed

[FCCL Mystic Meg @FCCLMysticMeg]

@MartinJ_Bennett added 40 but wickets fell cheaply around him to @thejudge09 and Bryce snr, @ThurleighCC trying to blast their way to a total. Milne hit four towering sixes into Kilpin Green but fell soon after and the visitors were 162ao 2 balls short of their allotted 33 overs