At last a Sunday morning when the sun was shining, so the opportunity to make hay. The ground had just been mown but the dried grass and clover were still there in little piles scattered all over the ACO. Monet would have loved it but our Frenchman did not, and the morning's task was to shift all the straw.

It was hard work on a blistering, blustery day. The extreme 34oC was one of the hottest cricketing days at the ACO in recent memory, and all were thankful for the stiff breeze.

The Kytes were delighted to welcome Rajah back to Japan. He had been a stalwart member of the Shizuoka club before helping to establish the team in Fuji. He was guesting today along with two friends, Mohsin and Chand, and all three were to play decisive roles as the game unfolded. And it was quite a game too, full of twists and turns, and both teams would have a number of chances to win.

Owing to a Tomei jam Nagoya arrived late and the second in our 4-game series for the Tokai Friendship Trophy got underway at 12.15 with the visitors batting. Before they had a chance to get used to the green ACO strip, a far cry from the sand and mat of their home ground, the Kytes had already reaped a few wickets.

Mohsin's opening over gave nothing away, and Bruce, with his first delivery (yet again), made the initial breakthrough, Kenji, at point, holding on to a rasping shot. Skippa was not finished there and four deliveries later Chand, at third man, made another safe catch off a skied top edge ,and after only two overs the Sri Lankans were 2/2. The Kytes are no strangers to this position, but seldom as the bowling side.

Not much later Mohsin struck, with Takashi pouching the third fine catch ,and when Neil swooped like a kite for the fourth, the Nagoyan total was floundering badly on 25/4. The SL's were in dire need of some stability but even though Muzni was playing himself in, Neil made a further breakthrough with an lbw (!), as he and Takashi kept ploughing away. The Kytes were certainly making hay.

After a quiet start Muzni was quickly adapting to the conditions. As the innings and the heat wore on the bowling got a little gentler and the fielding more lax. Chand, in his first bowling stint at the ACO could find no rhythm and Muzni started to flay the poorer deliveries, which were coming with greater regularity.

At this stage f-c Anton felt that the field needed a bit of a shake-up. The leg/off balance was altered, the batsman's preferred shots being taken into consideration. Next ball Neil bowled the perfect delivery for the new field setting and the lofted shot went Takashi's way. As with all plans the play needs to be executed or the plan means nothing, and Takashi grabbed the catch at extra cover. There are fewer better feelings in cricket than bowlers and fielders acting in concert.

All the time though Muzni carried on undaunted, and even the return of Bruce and later Mohsin could not stem the flow of runs from his bat. The Men in White were beginning to suffer in the heat, so called for a second drinks break with only 6 of the 35 overs remaining. The term "white" is used here advisedly. The v-c in a valiant attempt to clean his flannels, badly soiled from the previous game, had doused them liberally in stain remover. Sadly no-one told him that a full washing cycle was still needed. The result was a blotchy mosaic of cream, grey, green, brown and blue; very fetching.

Having mopped their furrowed brows the Kytes returned to the field and mopped up the remaining three wickets in no time, Rajah's rather looping deliveries somehow accounting for two of the victims. Nagoya's innings closed on 166ao and Muzni topscored with an excellent 78 that would end up as the day's best harvest, Neil ending with figures of 3/24, and Mohsin with 3/20.

Bananas, oranges and pastries were the lunch-time fare and with the time approaching 3.30 a late finish was on the cards. After a terrible start the Nagoyans had dragged themselves back into the match, but the advantage was still with the Kytes as their innings commenced.

There was still no respite from the heat as Bruce and Rajah went out to open, but less than 3 overs later the heat had been taken from the Nagoyan attack. Although Skippa was making his way back to the sidelines the score was 40/1; Bruce had scythed no less than 35 and the Kytes were well on their way.

Rajah and Anton, resplendent in his combat fatigues, took things a little more cautiously, clipping away at the target, and all the while the dangerous Sri Lankan openers were getting through their allotment. After Anton had managed the difficult part and played himself in, he promptly got himself out, caught this time, and Mohsin entered proceedings with the Kytes well-placed at 50/2 from 8 overs.

The two Pakistani friends put together a fine partnership, and looked as though they would knock off the runs to give the Kytes an 8-wicket win. Of course it did not turn out that way, as the Nagoyans once more refused to yield and pulled themselves back into the game for the second time.

Rajah went for a very good 30, Mohsin ran out Neil, Takashi showed brief promise but went for 3, and Nagoya were soon back in the hunt with the Shizuokans stuttering on 100/5.

Kenji did well to give Mohsin some support, and a big 6 from Mohsin seemed to be turning the tide once more in the Kytes favour. But then Mohsin ran himself out when on 48, and the pendulum swang back in Nagoya's direction.

Had it not been for Bruce's opening onslaught the Kytes would have been in deep trouble but at 140/7 there were still 10 overs left to score the remaining 27 runs. Nagoya though still had a few aces up their sleeve, as opening bowlers Ruwais and Azwan returned to complete their stints, but with overs in hand Kenji and Slog simply blocked and bided their time.

A few runs were nicked here and there, and with a number of wides the score was still ticking forward slowly when Kenji went, attempting to open up a bit. The game was still there to be won or lost by both teams.

Chand tonked a sweet 4 and the Kytes were back on track, and then he was dropped at mid-on, a relatively simple chance that could have kept Nagoya in the game. That was the last straw for Nagoya and at the end of the 33rd over Slog made the winning run. So with the clock showing 6.15, one of the latest ever finishes at the ACO, the Kytes on 167/8 were victorious by two wickets and levelled the series at 1-1. Scorer-Hiroko H, MVP-Mohsin

Those with fairer complexions were wilting badly by the end of the game but frequent drinks breaks ensured that everyone emerged in one piece. The decisive third game of the series is eagerly awaited, and can go either way. We just hope there won't be any more haystacks to bale.
 
 

Ed and Sheerluck surveyed the row of curry houses in downtown Calcutta, or Kolkata, as the Marxist West Bengal government have renamed the city. The Great Curry Hunt was on. Which one to choose today, in the quest for the perfect curry?

Yesterday they sampled the taste sensation of mutton biriani at Ma Terry's for lunch, and the heat sensation of a vindaloo at The Black Hole for dinner. So today they decided to go upmarket and plumped for the Golden Poppadom, where they immediately ordered a couple of Tiger beers and perused the extensive menu.

Not one minute had passed when Sheerluck felt something of a different nature passing through his lower bowels. He bolted straight for the kazi. Yesterday's vindaloo was wanting out. Sheerluck slammed the door and leapt over the hole. Severe ring-sting accompanied intense relief. Suddenly a pained voice came from the next cubicle.

*Spare me! Where's the paper?" It could only be one person.

*Robert?"

*Chuck some over, quick." Sheerluck lobbed the remains of his roll. R-G M dropped most of it down the hole but just managed to grab enough for his needs.

*Robert, what on earth are YOU doing HERE?" inquired an astonished SS.

*Same as you, I think. By the way have you eaten yet?

*No, Ed and I have just ordered."

*Well, don't eat here," commanded the Kytes' chef d'equipe, *You may as well miss out the middle-man and drop it straight into this cesspool, believe me. Come across the road to the Oberoi Grand Hotel; there's an International Cricket Convention. You might find it interesting. They also do a delicious and digestable Madras."

Among all the putrescent odours in that tiny cubicle Sheerluck Schwarzenegger could smell a story. So he decided to abandon the curry hunt for a while, and trooped off with R-G M, leaving Ed to pick the bones out of a particularly vicious-looking Bangalore Phall.

Instead of pouring a steamy concoction through his guts SS found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ian Chappell, Tony Grieg and Barry Richards as they listened thoughtfully to the latest plan for a World Championship of Test Cricket from no less than the ICC President himself, Jagmohan Dalmiya. Our investigative reporter is now able to reveal the full details of the man with a plan.

Basically the championships would be completed in two consecutive phases. Phase One would start with the top 10 international teams, split into two groups. They would play round-robin, 4 tests at home and 4 away. The top 4 teams qualify for Phase Two, the semi-finals and final. The whole tournament would take place over a 3/4 month period sometime between September and March.

Like all good reporters Sheerluck had a question: how could England (should she qualify for Phase One) play any home games during this period? Well, the man with a plan has an answer for everything: England would play every game away.

SS probed a little further wondering whether this might not unfairly disadvantage the Poms.

*Who cares?" was Chappell's unhesitating reaction, but Dalmiya had a sweetener up his sleeve: every fifth tournament would be held in England, during her summer months.

Before anyone could ask where this might leave other northern hemisphere countries, like Scotland, Holland or Ireland, R-G M had entered the fray.

*What about Japan?" Dalmiya looked blankly out of the window. He had no answer this time, but he did see someone stagger from the Golden Poppadom before collapsing in the roadside gutter in an ever-increasing pool of sloppy detritus.

*We could hold it every sixth year in Japan, between June and September," continued the unperturbed Frenchman, *I can arrange all the hotels."

It was Dalmiya's turn to ask a question, *Can adequate playing facilities be provided?"

R-G M was able to satisfy all those present that he would personally mow every ground, every mat would have a complete set of flanges, and a super-big bowl of chickpea curry would be prepared for every game. He did request team captains' understanding on a few minor points: for example whether the likes of Brian Lara wouldn't mind doing a spot of umpiring, or that Steve Waugh might help out with some pitch-marking, and whether Hansie Cronje could roll the pitch.

As these small requests met with general approval Dalmiya moved to the expected weather conditions. At this point the Frenchman calmed all remaining fears by convincing all that, despite the occasional typhoons, the threat of earthquakes, and the stifling heat, Japanese summers are really rather pleasant, and that he envisaged the whole tournament being completed in time for the next one.

Sheerluck was not finished though, and he managed to prise some additional information from Dalmiya. Apparently a kind of bonus system was being considered to help separate teams during Phase One. R-G M was about to propose the old Kanto Cup bonus point system, but rememebered that it had all been a complete failure and was for one-day games only. So the matter of bonus points was left unresolved. The matter of a drawn final was not even discussed ,since no-one had even the vaguest suggestion for this eventuality.

All in all SS can only conclude that the whole plan is fraught with problems, and that Dalmiya's final notion of an inaugural championship from Nov 99 to Feb 00 seems less likely than the Kytes' keeper ever scoring the winning run.

The conference ended and the mild Madras that followed went down very nicely. SS got the recipe from an extremely helpful waiter, Mahatma Coate, in exchange for Slog's e-mail address. Apparently Mahatma plays for the Calcutta Snake-Charmers who fancy their chances against the Stonehenge Druids sometime.

Outside Ed was still wallowing when SS finally left the hotel. What a stench. There was enough methane in the air to fill the MCG.

*What was that one like?" asked Sheerluck.

*Oh that was the best yet," replied Ed, *It was through in 3 mins 40 secs."

*I don't know if that's so quick you know," pondered SS, *There's a Moroccan who can run a mile in less than that."

*Well, now I know what he eats beforehand!"
 
 

Saturday 11th September 1999, Shizuoka Associa Terminal Hotel

A trifle late this year owing to difficulties in arranging a time when the main protagonists would all be around. As it was a few luminaries could not make this date, including Takashi, Neil, Matt and Malcolm. No-one really expected Francis, so it was no surprise when he did not materialise, but Mitsuki was sadly missed.

Nevertheless about 30 members were present for another session of imbibing and consuming, punctuated by a brief awards ceremony. We were pleased to see a number of new faces to our awards night, especially Kazu and Takahisa, all Nick's entourage, Miki, Shawna, Muneaki and Takako, who introduced Robert, a prospective player.

It was also great to see the smiling faces of Yasuyo, Michiko and Setsuko, not to mention Yoshiko and Yasuko, who add life to any occasion, Yuko, who looked a picture, and Noriyo who arrived a bit late (8.30) but still had enough to eat and drink.

After being on their best behaviour at the '97 Awards Night, culminating with Todd's arrival in a suit, the Kytes dressed down a little this year. Todd managed to find the shabbiest pair of shorts from his wardrobe, Ume came in his jim-jams and even Grandad and Slog were tie-less; mind you it was a sweltering evening.

A rather boisterous party ensued and the ribald atmosphere spilt over into the awards ceremony as Slog's slurred speech was spared no heckling. Below follows a summary of the awards:

Big thank you to the best scorers in Japan: Hiroko Umehara and Hiroko Hirano.

Champagne Moments:

May '98 v Tokyo Sri Lankans, ACO
Anton and Nick with cool calculation under pressure against a wild swinging batsman, gained his wicket with the very next delivery, courtesy of a fine catch from Antony (currently in Finland we think).

Sept '98 v Nagoya, ACO
Todd's disdain for a simple skied catch, opting instead for a run out with only one stump to aim at.
 

Best Bowler - Nominations:

Todd - tightest bowler, with 4.2 runs per over conceded.
Bruce - most wickets, including 4/25, 3/26, 3/34.
Nick - clever and controlled, including 4/12, the Kytes season's best.
Mark - solid and reliable, including 4/13. (Regards to Yukapi)

 *BEST BOWLER 1998 - BRUCE HARRIS *
 

Best Fielder - Nominations:

Neil - most catches (6), 3 c&b's in one innings.
Ume - very consistent, great arm, great catches.
Anton - marvellous organisation, great catches.
Kevin - specialist close-fielder, good catches.

*BEST FIELDER 1998 - HISATSUGU UMEHARA *
 

Best Batsman - Nominations:

Anton - string of top-scores, including 47, 34, 26, 25.
Bruce - awesome hitting, including 28.
Ume - highest score 35.
Francis - good scores, including 30, 25, 22.

*BEST BATSMAN 1998 - ANTON McCLOY *
 

Each winner received a handsome certificate set in a quartz frame, and two of them were so sozzled that they left their prizes behind in the hotel. The pitchers were being devoured at an incredible rate and then it rained.

Saturday night rain has been quite a characteristic of this season and the first reaction was to cancel tomorrow's game. Given the state most of the Kytes were in, it would have been no bad thing, but the decision was delayed, the rain miraculously ceased and the game remained on.

The festivities persisted until 9.30, so the paltry sum of \3,000 actually gave us 3.5 hours of non-stop consumption, and the main bulk of the party moved on to The Chimney, then Banana Shoot, then who knows. What a night.
 
 

Balls are in the spotlight this time. The answers appear somewhere else in this issue.

a) Who approves all balls before a game commences?
b) Excepting trials what 3 different colours of balls have officially been used?
c) Can balls be rubbed on the ground?
d) What is a ball made of?
e) Are women's balls smaller than men's?
 

Indian Engineers C.C. vs. Shizuoka Kytes C.C. (Friendly)

Sunday 12th September, ACO

The morning after the awards ceremony saw the Kytes dribble unceremoniously to the ACO. Luckily it was a friendly, because neither the Kytes team nor the ground were in any fit state.

After the haystacking episode before the summer break the Kytes were faced with another harvesting job. The weeds in the outfield had grown to almost a metre in places and parts of the ground were completely overgrown. R-G M got in touch with Mochizuki-san who brought the strimmer and we were at least able to clear some of the infield.

When the pitch had been mown and marked, with the kind help of the opposition, the Indian (computer) Engineers from Tokyo, who also helped remove the leaves from the track, it looked to be in remarkably good shape, and play started at 12.15.

A ground rule for the day was agreed, whereby a raised hand would signal a lost ball and would result in two runs for the batsman (rather than the five in the official rule-book). Despite making run-getting much more difficult for both teams the weeds had surprisingly little effect on the zest of the game which could have gone either way.

The 33oC temperature and hazy sunshine, the fact that they were three players short, and those that were present still had alcohol coursing through their veins was to have a much more significant effect on the Kytes' chances. In a very gentlemanly gesture the Engineers, who were one short themselves, offered the Kytes two fielders, an offer that was accepted with alacrity.

Having won the toss IE elected to bat and Bruce and debutant Robert Archibald opened the bowling. It was all rather subdued at first, the Kytes being unusually quiet in the field (where's Francis when you need him?) and, after welcoming Robert with a 4 and a 6 from his first over, the Indian openers were content to steer and prod the ball for quick singles and the odd lost ball.

Robert seemed to be finding a bit of rhythm to his bowling and in his third over picked up his first wicket for the Kytes, clean bowling Sriram for 18. Takashi replaced Skippa and with his first delivery claimed Silvester's wicket as Anton made a stinging catch at short cover. This rather jolted the f-c from his malaise and Skippa cleverly offered him the next over. Anton found the edge in his first over and Bruce snaffled a great slip catch to dismiss Prasad for a very determined 18 (16 of which came in singles). At this point the Engineers were 70/3 from 15 overs, a good position bearing in mind the conditions.

Sunil also batted patiently for his 14, but Takashi got his second wicket as Slog held on to a lofted shot at mid-on. The scenario was repeated for Paul and Takashi would end with 3/15, the best figures of the day. Sadly when asked to reciprocate with a fairly easy catch when Slog was bowling Takashi made a hash of it. Nevertheless Slog clean bowled John next over, curiously becoming the third Kytes bowler of the day to be taken off immediately after getting a wicket. No-one was complaining though as the heat became more intense.

Ume had turned his arm for the first time for a few seasons but was struggling with both line and length as Ganesh kept the Engineer's score rolling. They were on 91/6 after 21 overs, still doing well, when Skippa decided it was time for both he and Robert to return to the attack.

Bruce soon had Srinidan out, c&b, but Ganesh hooked Robert for 6 as the score passed 100 in the 24th over. This was the first boundary since the 2nd over, and in fact only three boundaries were hit in the innings, probably a Kytes record.

Then Paul Biju, on as a substitute fielder, made such an agile stop and return that the Kytes posted their first run out of the season. Paul wondered if this might qualify him for the Kytes fielding award for 1999. We await next year's awards ceremony with bated breath.

Ganesh was swinging at everything by now and was well caught by Anton off Bruce to end the Engineers' innings at 109 in the 25th over. He had topscored with an excellent 27, which was followed by 23 wides, far too many. Only two byes were allowed by the keeper, and the ground fielding had been surprisingly good, with Ume outstanding.

In these conditions 109 was a fair target, but when Skippa and v-c went out to open the batting they showed how to cope with the weed: clear it. They went off like a steam train and the Engineers had lost control. However 31/0 in the 3rd over soon changed to 40/3 in the 6th, and the Engineers were back on track.

Bruce had made 28 (one 6, three 4s) and Anton 10 (one 6), but now Robert and Ume took things a little more cautiously. They put on a steady 18 before Robert was needlessly run out, and Ume was galvanised into action. Two 4s and a 6 later with the score romping along to 75/4 from 14 overs Ume hooked across the line, missed, and was bowled. The game had been heading back in the Kytes' direction, but with only two wickets remaining their wheels had almost fallen off. The Engineers allowed only singles from this point as Takashi (another silly run out) and R-G M (a superb diving catch from keeper Sriram), departed, leaving Slog stranded, but he was completely out of touch anyway.

So the Kytes total of 85 meant that the Indian Engineers were victors by 24 runs. Ganesh finished with 3/21, and it was probably his contribution that swang the game. Scorers Hiroko U, Hiroko H, MVP-Bruce

Yoshida's: How pleasant it was to stretch out on the tatami, especially since we had all got clean away without the barest mention of the word 'roller'. It appears that the grumpy proprietress is now grooming her two cute daughters in the fine art of smileless service, but we're not complaining.

PS: Another Kanto Cup footnote from one of the quarter-finals today. It seems that Edogawa Falcons used an ineligible player, and no sooner had they defeated arch-rivals Tokyo Giants, the Giants appealed and it seems as though the game will be replayed. But why on earth did the Giants not mention anything before the game began? It all leaves a nasty taste in the  mouth.
 
 

He's back. The cricket critic, with a little help from a world-class batsman, is now able to concentrate on the back foot, the key to successful batsmanship. If you ever thought that timing or a straight bat were the most important factors in batting then think again; get that back foot in the right place and see your average soar.

The most glaring deficiency in modern Test cricket is in the use of the back foot. In fact the two most critical positions in batting are the head and the back foot. The head position determines the correct balance; it should be two-eyed with a slight forward tilt. This causes the batsman to pivot on the balls of his feet, wherein lies the secret to quality footwork.

With all good batsmanship the back foot needs to be pointing square to the angle of the bowler's delivery, enabling a solid side-on position of the back leg and the back shoulder. For a right arm bowler to a right hand batsman (or indeed left to left) the back foot should therefore be directed square, or even slightly behind point. Other situations (for example right arm bowler to left hand batsman) may require a slight adjustment and the back foot may face just forward of square.

If the back foot is directed too much in front of point then it instigates the opening of the shoulders and from there on the feet stop moving and the hands take over, reaching too far from the body.

A classic case of this was seen with a recent England Test debutant. Here a faulty stance is preventing a naturally-gifted player from reaching his true potential. His back foot points toward cover in his initial stance. As the bowler approaches he makes two or three adjustments and by the time the ball is delivered his back foot is almost toward extra cover.
From this positon he is unable to press off the ball of his back foot and extend sufficiently into a strong forward position, and a straight, good-length delivery exposes the gap between bat and pad. Result: bowled.

Almost as bad is his reaction to a short ball. With the shoulders open his hands can only fend at the ball. Result: caught.

The back foot is the rock on which all strokes are based. Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Waugh are masters of back foot positioning, as is the rising star Rahul Dravid. These great batsmen should be today's role models.

Incidentally this advice comes courtesy of no less a batsman than Martin Crowe. In the next issue Denis Lillee airs his thoughts on the positioning of the middle finger whilst fielding.
 

Answers:
a) Umpires and captains
b) Red, white and blue
c) No
d) Leather, cork and twine
e) Yes
 
 

British Embassy C.C. vs. Shizuoka Kytes C.C. (Friendly)

Sunday 19th September 1999, ACO

As with last week the ground was in very poor condition. What made matters worse was that the strimmer had been stolen, so everyone had to put up with all the weeds yet again. Once more run-getting would be a painstaking business and lofted shots would be more rewarding than drives; not an entirely satisfactory situation. Nevertheless both teams just got on with the game and produced one of the most nail-biting finishes of the millenium.

Scorching sunshine, still, dry, 32oC, with high humidity, helped persuade the captains to agree a 35 over game, and the lost ball rule was also agreed. The British Embassy Cricket Club, which by their own admission bore more resemblance to a Commonwealth team (since only one member, Hugh Smith, actually works at the embassy) mustered only 8 players, so the three lowest scorers would be permitted a second bat as no 9, 10 and 11, and three fielders would be provided on a rotating basis.

BECC won the toss, decided to bat and Skippa handed the new ball to Toddy for the first time for ages. He did not disappoint. His vicious deliveries had Hugh Smith on the defensive before a corker darted across the open blade, hitting the top of off stump, a beauty.  The only trouble here was that we were likely to see the dangerous Hugh back again as no 9.

Takashi, continuing his good form from last week, made it an all lefty attack and his persistence was rewarded with a wicket in his 3rd over as he clean bowled Anton W for a thumping 17. Sunil was more circumspect at the other end and at this stage the ambassadors were 21/2 after 6 overs, with the Kytes on top.

The embassy team were certainly not finished though and Sunil and Peter dug in well, taking singles and twos, but having a great deal of problems in overcoming the weeds. Robert A joined the attack and started with a maiden; if anything his bowling had a little more zip than last week, and his control looked good. Mark, making his debut, tried his hand at the other end, and whilst never appearing comfortable, was also proving difficult to hit.
The game had reached a kind of stalemate when Peter suddenly connected with one from Skippa which sailed for 6. Next ball he was bowled (for 26) but the total had been moving steadily ahead and was now 61/3 from 20 overs and the BECC were back in it. Brent lent some support to Sunil but Robert was brought back to the attack and trapped him lbw for a very well-deserved wicket.

Meanwhile Anton had been plugging away at the other end and, after eventually deciding that his slow stuff would be more effective today, laid another of his rather cunning stunts. For the last ball that Andrew received from Robert the f-c pushed the field back to induce the single. It came via a bye and that gave Anton a full over's crack at the batsman. His strategy from here on is unclear, but first ball provided a dolly of a c&b, so the ploy succeeded. Sunil went in the same over for a staunch 27, neatly stumped by R-G M, and the Embassy were back in trouble on 74/6 after 26 overs.

Robert picked up his 2nd wicket, clean bowled and would end with figures of 2/16, and Anton picked up his 3rd in an unintentional 8th over (which was to have dire consequences later), a second c&b, one short of Neil's record, finishing with 3/16.

The returnee batsmen were not able to push the score much further. Hugh, as luck would have it, was pitted against Toddy once more. He fared a little better this time, making a valuable 5, but Todd bowled him again. Todd gained the last wicket as Kevin pouched a regulation catch at silly mid-off, giving him 3/17.

The BECC set a total of 81, from 33 of their 35 overs, but since the weed was probably worth another two or three runs an over, it was perhaps worth 120 to 130 under normal conditions, so there was still all to play for.

The Men in White had fielded well throughout. Ume was faultless, Nyall chased down everything, and Kevin tightened the whole infield. No overthrows were allowed, and there was only one bye. Every run saved was crucial on a  day when runs were mighty hard to come by. And once more only three boundaries were conceded.

Anton opened with Robert A and was looking fairly settled until Brent found the outside edge and the f-c went for three. Robert was picking the loose deliveries well and two 4s and a 6 kept things moving. Brent also claimed Takashi's wicket, bowled, and then Peter did likewise to Robert, for a solid 17. Mark struggled for 1, before a preventable run out, and this left the Kytes on 23/4 from 8. The run-rate was never going to be a problem, but the wickets were, and another 59 runs were still needed from somewhere.

Then the square-leg umpire's mobile phone started bleeping. This is not the first time has happened in a cricket match. That was way back in a Test in the 80's when Ian Botham made a call to the mobile phone in Dickie Bird's jacket pocket. This particular umpire went apopleptic; not so with R-G M, who calmy engaged in conversation while play continued (apparently it was some pressing Kanto Cup business). Friendly or not the Kytes f-c correctly reminded the umpire that he should call for a replacement and take his calls on the other side of the boundary.

With Todd and Bruce at the crease there was always hope, and Bruce wasted no time in making a quickfire 25 (two 6s and two 4s) before being caught behind from a delivery he missed by a mile. Nevertheless the advantage was back with the Shizuokans, but when Ume was extremely well caught by Anton (yes our very own f-c) at slip things started to go wrong.

It was at this point that Brent bowled his 8th over, to compensate for Anton's 8 overs in the BECC innings, and this was succesfully blocked, leaving Brent with a superb 3/14. The ambassadors must have thought that everyone was now entitled to an 8th over and, when Peter had finished his 8th (5/42) victory was in sight for the embassy. Slog got one that did not bounce, Kev got one that did, and a double-wicket maiden was the result, with the Kytes on 72/8.

Toddy was still in though, but not for long. Next ball he too was caught behind from a delivery that he was unable to hit. Ten runs needed with one wicket left, and in came Grandad to partner Nyall, the oldest Kyte with the youngest.

The suspense was unbearable. What made things even more interesting was that the Kytes 10 and 11 were pitted against the embassy's second string bowlers (even they couldn't slip Brent or Peter in for a 9th over). Nyall boldly went on the offensive and struck a firm 2. Then two wides, and the requirement was down to six. Nyall hit another 2, and then another, with some well-controlled shots ,and soon it was one for a tie, two for a win, but R-G M was going to face the next over from a fired-up Anton.

The first one was blocked, the second too, and the third was also blocked onto the pad. A lone voice appealed for lbw and unbelievably the umpire raised his finger. Robert stood his ground. The ambassadors, no doubt mindful of the controversial decisions that had already gone their way, diplomatically decided that this was no way to win a game. They politely concurred with R-G M and the next ball came.

Robert connected again, but this time it was an outside edge. The keeper stretched his glove toward the ball (this would be a legitimate victory), and in it went, and out it came. The keeper, batsmen and fielders all sank to their knees in unison, as though lightning had struck. Passers-by gaped in awe at the bizarre antics performed by these white-clothed cultists. Even the Kytes' fan, Takako, who barely understands the rules, was on the edge of her seat.

The final ball was also survived, leaving Nyall with a full over to face. He struck the 3rd delivery firmly; it looked like two runs were possible, but the ball got caught up in the weeds and only one was taken.

At this point the BECC seemed to make a slight tactical error. With adrenalin flowing in tension that you could cut with a strimmer, the fielders all moved closer to the bat, scenting the kill. This gave Robert the chance he needed, and he replied by lofting the next delivery over the fielders; an easy single, and jubilation for the Kytes players, scorers and fan.

A sensational last-wicket partnership from Nyall and Robert gave the Kytes victory by the slenderest of margins, one wicket; a fantastic game. Scorers Hiroko U, Hiroko H, MVP-Robert A

Yoshida's: The extremely sociable BECC team came en masse to the soba shop, as more than 20 people crushed onto the top room, all still breathless from the tight finish. Not too breathless though to sink a few dozen bottles of giraffe beer whilst pondering over the future of the Kanto Cup.

The deviants among the Kytes now appear to have redirected their attentions away from the brooding proprietress, and onto her two cute daughters, who made another appearance laden with beer; a more attractive sight is hard to imagine.

The f-c took the conversation in a weird direction when he described something as 'unlustrious', or was it 'unillustrious', or even 'lustrious'? We know what he meant but the true word escaped us all. A few minutes with a dictionary later revealed that 'illustrious' is defined as 'being held in the  highest public esteem'. So Anton's antonym may be something like 'infamous, disreputable, nefarious, ignoble, disgraced, contemptible, or with the mark of Cain'. All of which may well be applied to R-G M after he tells the City Office what we all feel about the state of our cricket ground.

PS: A few days after the game R-G M received a couple of e-mails from BECC players Hugh and Anton.

Hugh asked if Robert could thank the Kytes players who helped so well in the field, and added 'BECC to win next time, and pigs will fly!'

Anton remarked 'How refreshing it is to play without all the hoo-ha of some other games. A great time, an exciting game and a relaxing tipple'.

Actually these messages speak volumes for the way the British Embassy CC conducts their cricket; true ambassadors for the game.
 
 

Not the most common of sights is that of a wicket-keeper removing pads and gloves in order to bolster the bowling attack.

Probably the most striking incident happened in 1991 when South Australian keeper Tim Zoehrer did just that in a match against Western Australia, with such remarkable success that he finished with seven wickets.

An even rarer ocurrence must surely be a bowler turned keeper. The most extreme example could well be T. Ward, an off-spinner for Essex, who broke his arm so badly he could no longer bowl. He susbsequently took up the gloves and in no time became the county keeper.