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► Prague Tour 2004
Prague Tour 2004
On 4-7th June 2004, CCC embarked on their 4th overseas tour, this time to the Czech republic and the city of Prague, where two games of cricket had been arranged against the New Bohemians of Prague, made up of Prague CC players & other interested persons.
Cranbourne's players arrived by various modes of transport on Thursday and enjoyed most of the excellent scenery that Prague had to offer plus of course the Czech beer.
The tour finally got underway in the early evening of Friday night with Andy 'Kiwi' Mills giving the team a root march through the streets of Prague to the Cantina Mexican restaurant where the team downed about 6 cocktails each before the start of the meal just to get us into shape of course!!
At the restaurant the team were joined by the opposing captain and planner for Prague, Scott Page who outlined the interesting aspects of playing cricket on a plastic pitch. Following the meal he informed Cranbourne about a club where they could get themselves really fit for the match next day. Following another root march, Cricky and Scotty soon got a sweat on and had to remove clothing to cool down. Most of the team arrived back at base early, ~5am for a good nights sleep before roll call at 9am by M&C Jones for the battle ahead.
It was quite a sight seeing CCC negotiate the tram system, with Jim Ball not entering the tram like most people, but falling into it!! On arrival at the ground, the CCC players were interested spectators as Prague 'rolled' out the pitch. M&C Jones won the toss and inserted Prague, with CCC fielding 10 players + 1 loan player 'Honza' from Prague.
The first few overs were uneventful, with the Prague openers putting on a quick 30 before Dave Crick enticed a Prague opener to hit the ball skywards. All CCC players looked at each other, but Honza snaffled the catch and we realised what bucket hands he had. Another Cracking ball from Cricky, had Prague at 30 for 2. Scotty replaced Cricky, and promptly fell over, wearing plastic shoes on a plastic pitch. Barry 'Ian McGaskill's love Child' McHugh, replaced a subdued Glew and made the breakthrough Cranbourne seeked by removing Scott Page caught by Kiwi, much to his delight!!
Rob brought on Honza and he was soon at the point of a hat-trick, but failed dismally with a very wide ball. Prague's innings closed on 126 with the introduction of Kiwi who had forgotten the ancient art of bowling a cricket ball, but when he did find his range, which took an eternity he bowled the last man out.
Tea was taken but dark rain clouds appeared and started to drop the wet stuff and it became apparent that Cranbourne's innings could not take place due to heavy rain, so the match was abandoned and both sets of players made their way to a drinking hostelry where fine beers and food were consumed in vast quantities. Returning to the hotel for a quick change, the players were soon out training in the bars for the next days game. Plenty of stories of that Saturday night are available, but are a bit too graphic for this report!!
Sunday brought a better day, although the Cranbourne players were a bit reluctant to leave their beds, but they made their way to the ground and play started at 12noon, with Skippy of the day, Keef, asking Prague to bat first in a 40 over game with Honza 'Shovel Hands' again guesting for Cranbourne. This new day seemed to bring out a new determination in the Prague players, who soon had 50 on the board with Scott Page displaying a range of 'textbook' shots.
It was not until the introduction of Martin Glew into the bowling attack that things started to happen for Cranbourne. In his 1st over he got Scotty Paige for 49, and then proceeded to devastate the Prague side taking 6-12, supported at the other end by Keef & Jim Ball. Prague were all out for 127.
A BBQ followed which was enjoyed by all and it became apparent that Cranbourne players had eaten too much when they staggered out to bat, with Jim 'Grandad' Ball running out Kiwi, but that was not difficult. (We all swore that he had a shell, ate lettuce and was over 100 years old)
Then Rob ran himself out, saying he had lead in his boots. Too much diving Scotty reckoned!! Jim Ball and Dave Crack then took the score on slowly until Jim hooked recklessly and was caught for 33. Honza ran himself out, leaving Cranbourne wobbling at 85-6. Kiwi then gave Cricky out LBW saying he was boring scoring 13 runs in 28 overs, so he had to go.
It was left to the golden rivet boy Scotty Munro & Martin the Glew to hit the winning runs with 5 overs to spare.
Again it was down to the pub to celebrate Jim Ball becoming a Grandad, although we think he cannot remember much about it.
Highlight of the tour were the wonderful city of Prague, the hospitality of PCC, Cricky not making it to Saturday night out, Cricky being given out by Kiwi, and Rob & Cricky's bus blowing up in Germany on their way home.
Keef
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