As far as I recall it was a fine day, and those who had appeared at Ewhurst in good time (having explained to their wives/girl friends/mothers that it was an ‘early’ start) had suitably refreshed themselves at the local hostelry. All was set for a close match. I may be wrong, but I believe we batted first, and no doubt the Captain, J. Harvey, gave me (in my accustomed role as no. 10 or 11) the usual instruction to “try to stop it somehow”. No doubt again, I expect that I failed to do so.
When we took the field I was assigned to the deep, as I could at least run a little in those days. Perhaps it was deep extra cover ·· I am sure it was not fine leg, or “long stop” as it used to be called. I was warm and comfortable down at the bottom of the hill when I realised that the batsman had driven the ball along the ground in my direction. Clearly, with a clean pick—up and a good throw, there was only time for one run.
I managed the pick-up (as advised by the Captain with one foot behind the ball in case of misadventure) but as I shaped for the throw, to my everlasting shame the ball slipped out of the back of my hand and rolled over the boundary. It was of course a boundary overthrow — five runs. That was a terrible moment, but my shame was greatly increased the next time the ball came my way. The Captain, fearing
further loss, called out loudly, ‘Throw it in underarm”
I never played again.
I.D.G. March 1988