Nets report

Another incident-packed evening at the Oval saw significant developments on the development of Team England.

Following a top-level summit in the back of Bob's Jag, featuring "the young Superman" - see below [Guy H], the man they know as "No Helmut" behind the wheel, navigating south london like a veteran taxi driver, and "Henman", on the way to the Oval, many plans are afoot ... Not least the purchase of a team mascot - to be a Lion - and to be named by the assorted waifs and strays known as the Team England WAGS.

Nets featured:
"No Helmut" behind ze stumps, keeping with his usual aplomb, and quiet commentary - he may need some help if he is to become a proper sledging keeper.
Q running in with gusto wearing what can only be described as a pair of ballet shoes so much was he slip sliding away.
Big Dave "Harmy" Rhodes storming in off a long run and giving one and all the hurry up but displaying occasional signs of the dreaded "Brisbane syndrome" amidst the odd jaffer.
JC opened the batting and worked on his demon "malinga swing" round arm;faster ball.
But the star of the night was unquestionably Superman himself - Guy H: never in the history of cricket conflict has one man worn an outfit on a cricket field that so resembled Superman if he liked the noble game of WG Grace and Viv Richards.
It all started when Soups announced that he'd omitted to bring his cricket trousers. Undismayed, our hero raced upstairs, found a sporting goods store [and a handy phone box] and returned clad in his Superman shorts. To say that we, as a group, caught the eye even more than normal is an understatement, but the shorts may have to have another outing because the great man's bowling was transformed, and the left arm outswingers may yet be foxing the Indians before too long.
Throughout all of this "Henman's" own unique brand of dodgy off spin, quiet reticence and ability to force all batsman to hole out at deep mid wicket caught the eye.... he is rapidly creating his own corridor of uncertainty in the area that is deep mid wicket to long on.

Nets report

A fair turnout at the Oval tonight witnessed the skip on fine bowling form (castling Mat G) and batting ok - but he was consistently troubled by the veteran trundlers Cartwright and Opperman, with their collection of demon dibbly dobbleys off breaks.

Bowling is coming on - Mat G is good, Guy H is developing a mean swing (although he joins a distinguished line of bowlers in this side who need a radar) and we continue to keep in depth - Pete may have to look to his laurels if RP continues to keep this well

Batting is our strength - with all playing nicely. All can turn an arm and we may use Jamie as our secret bowling weapon...not!

All save Q were much assisted by Guy H being a left hander and thereby playing into our natural "leg" stump line

We all wish Sam a speedy recovery ...get well soon mate - we need you!!

Yours in cyberspace and very rushed

Guy O
(Sadly christened 'Henman' for over-exuberant use of the underarm clenched fist at the slightest hint of a wicket ...with a yelped "Come ON!")