GCF Test cricket season 1: roster/roleplay/results thread

[The Babbage Islands]

Our reporters have just received word from the Global Cricket Federation that after overnight meetings with both captains and the umpiring crew, Mr. Heathcote Ogbourne has withdrawn as umpire for the World Championship Final in progress. GCA officials in Genyria have offered Lord Wyndham as an emergency replacement, and an extraordinary session of the GCF Technical Committee is considering the question at this writing.

Myfanwy Evans, GCF chair, offered only this statement: "The Global Cricket Federation is committed to see that this first World Test Championship is conducted from beginning to end according to the highest standards of professionalism and sporting conduct, as befitting the great game of cricket. We are confident that the final will be concluded on schedule and up to standard. GCF thank Mr. Ogbourne for his service in this match and through his career."

[Gruenberg]

Match details, as posted on the GruenCric website.

Gruenberg 431 all out (118.1 overs)

Genyria 401 all out (120 overs)

Gruenberg 233-6 (75 overs)
                                                             R    B   4/6
HD Figgut        c Huntingdon+     b Sergius Quercus         6  (12)  1/-
YTQQZK Naroadnig c Avril           b Sergius Quercus         4  (26)  -/-
ZGF Hengtridan*  NOT OUT                                    99 (214)  9/1
BL Enchante      run out (Moreaux/Huntingdon+/Appleby)       4  (14)  1/-
N Burtz          c Avril           b Mauntell               84 (117) 13/1
SBP Turvuaednes+ c Sergius Quercus b Mauntell                8  (34)  -/-
PR Nejjimhio     st Huntingdon+    b Appleby                 7  (21)  -/-   
DB Yeg           NOT OUT                                    11   (8)  2/-
To bat: WDB Pinnex, PPPPPPP Uglaxx, TOVE Effeffluessesslu
EXTRAS (6b, 2lb, 2nb)                                       10

FoW: 1: 6 (Figgut, 3.0 overs); 2: 12 (Naroadnig, 7.0 overs); 3: 24 (Enchante, 11.2 overs); 4: 163 (Burtz, 51.3 overs); 5: 185 (Turvuaednes, 61.5 overs); 6: 220 (Nejjimhio, 72.2 overs)

                  O    M    R    W
Sergius Quercus  10    2   36    2
Mauntell         24    7    0    2
Appleby          25    3   64    1
W. Stretton      10    1   43    0
A. Stretton       5    0   26    0

Rain stopped play: Gruenberg 31-3, 13.2 overs (ZGK Hengtridan 11, N Burtz 0)
Lunch taken during break
4th wicket: 50 in 93 balls (ZGK Hengtridan 27, N Burtz 21)
N Burtz: 52 in 68 balls, 10x4 (Gruenberg 112-3)
4th wicket: 102 in 151 balls (ZGK Hengtridan 33, N Burtz 63)
Tea: Gruenberg 149-3, 42 overs (ZGK Hengtridan 46, N Burtz 79)
ZGK Hengtridan: 52 in 124 balls, 5x4 (Gruenberg 156-3)
Close of play: Gruenberg 233-6, 75 overs (ZGK Hengtridan 103, DB Yeg 7)

[Gruenberg]

OOC: In a move that will be much discussed and, depending on its outcome, celebrated or maligned - Gruenberg will declare overnight. Genyria will not be informed of this before the cutoff at the start of Day 5, though they may obviously speculate that a declaration is forthcoming.

[Gruenberg]

A statement from the Gruenberger Cricket Board to really test out your acronyms:

Change of umpires, death of infidels, approved

We at the GCB have recently learned from the GCF that the GCA have approved the replacement of umpire Heathcoate Ogbourne by Timothy Wyndham. We note that the confusion this has caused is symptomatic of the social disorder that bedevils all cultures that do not shower in the magnificence of Her Holy Mother's infinite wisdom. All glory and goats to Her Holiness, Mother Wena! Law 3.2 of the Laws of Cricket makes allowance for such a change of umpires only under 'exceptional circumstances', and we are willing to permit this clause to be invoked on this occasion, instructing Zambuimmi Hengtridan to accept on his team's behalf the change of umpires. We have done so on the understanding that the selection of a different umpire will in no way impede the path to glory of our most goatly-favoured team, whose victory is assured by the all-embracing power of Her Wondrousness, Mother of All Ages. All shall know the goat-enabled majesty of her wisdom! We nonetheless shall insist that Lord Wyndham officiate only from the non-striker's end (as "square leg" umpire), as per Law 3.2. We additionally request that the GCA take whatever internal measures they feel necessary to prevent recurrence of any such events; the GCB shall likewise take whatever internal measures we feel necessary to ruthlessly suppress any dissent from the one true light of spiritual knowledge, the true word of Her Infinite Goatiness, Holy Navigator of the Skies. All who deny Her Omnifizziness shall perish!

And a match report, posted as usual on the GruenCric website:

Frustrating fourth day muddies match situation

Gruenberg crawled out of a lead and into a potentially disastrous situation through the rain-affected fourth day at the Canterbury Field, managing a mere 233 runs for 6 wickets after a disastrous top order collapse. Their lead of 263 is slender, given Genyrian scoring rates, but it is difficult to predict how many overs will be available on Day 5 to try for a draw. Complicating things further is the net run rate decider, with the slow pace of Gruenberg's recovery essentially forcing them to try to extract a win, as a draw would likely see Genyria's run rate overtake theirs. Unconfirmed rumours in the press box this morning posited that, prior to the start of play, Zambuimmi Hengtridan intends to announce his declaration - a potentially stunning decision, especially given his own overnight score of 99*.

If Hengtridan were to declare immediately, it would give his bowlers a full day to try to take ten wickets, rather than losing at least two overs in the change of innings. But it would also give Genyria a full day to chase down an undemanding 264, on home turf; he had made no secret of wanting to set them a target closer to 300. The gesture would be the more remarkable for denying himself a chance to convert his score into a fourth Test century - though he was noted as saying at the team breakfast this morning, in typical Hengtridan style, that he suspected he'd be remembered either way.

Gruenberg's hopes of a positive batting showing were dashed by the fourth day conditions. Heavy cloud cover left the ball swinging in outrageous fashion. Marcus Sergius Quercus dismissed both Hardishan Figgut, in what looks increasingly likely to be his last Test, and Yeepers Naroadnig in his spell to open the day, and then Gruenberg's best batsman, Benny Enchante, completed what has been a disappointing set of innings for him by running himself out. After Hengtridan made his ground to the throw at his end, Orion Huntingdon quickly threw down to the bowler's end, where Enchante - who'd assumed himself safe - failed to ground his bat.

Then came some intervention from the skies. The clouds burst, washing out the rest of the morning, and sun ensured a quick resumption after lunch of what was now a harder, flatter wicket. The swing was gone, and Gruenberg could take advantage at last - but had to ensure no more wickets fell once it became clear that Willan Pinnex, who contracted a side strain bowling on Day 3, was unlikely to bat. Thus the fourth wicket represented the last recognised pairing, and the first 50 came slowly, off 93 balls.

Nephiat Burtz could not be held back for long. Dropped from both Test and ODI sides at times in his career, since returning he has made a real case for full time inclusion, hitting an outrageous string of quickfire fifties. He added a fifth here, reaching 50 in just 68 balls, and finishing on 84 off 117, with fourteen boundaries. Once set he played Nick Appleby's spin with ease, and attacking the fast bowlers whenever their lines strayed. But he once again failed to convert a fifty into a hundred; in the 80s, his scoring slowed to a crawl after slog sweeping Appleby for six, and eventually he edged behind to Gerard Avril.

His partner in the 141 run stand was Hengtridan, who played a captain's hand but clearly struggled to contain his natural scoring rate. Features set, he would block out bad deliveries, and every other over play and miss at one that almost removed his off stump. With Burtz gone he finally picked up his scoring - his first 50 came off 124 balls, but his second 49 off 90 - but ran out of partners. Spintmhitz Turvuaednes struggled to establish himself against Crispin Mauntell's attacking line, and Pistal Nejjimhio's patience ran out fast, charging Appleby and being easily stumped.

As the day drew to a close, Hengtridan looked within sight of a hundred, but Dervin could not get him on strike. In the final over, Yeg hit two boundaries but no singles until the fifth ball - leaving Hengtridan, on 98, one delivery left. With the possibility of continuing the innings tomorrow he ran it down to third man with soft, cautious hands, and didn't come back for the second, walking off, unbeaten on 99, to consider the match as both a captain and a batsman.

[Genyria]

Genyrian Broadcasting Corporation

Cricket News
Genyria v. Gruenberg



A draw beckons?

Only 73 overs were contested at Canterbury Field during the fourth day of the World Cricket Championship thanks to a rain break; in that time Gruenberg batted uncharacteristically slowly, with the side adding 227 to their overnight 6, and in the meantime conceding 6 wickets. With just one day to go, this gives them a completely superable lead of 263 over the home side.

The day began with Manius Sergius Quercus arranging for № 1 Hardishan Figgut (6) to be caught behind on the last ball of the very first over; only four overs later, № 2 Yeepers Naroadnig (4) edged a ball from the same bowler to Gerard Avril at first slip. Captain Zambuimmi Hengtridan (99*) then stepped up to the plate, and stayed in the entire day; his partnership with Benny Enchante, who ran himself out for 4 (he seemed to have forgotten to ground his blade!), only lasted 4.2 overs, but was followed by a 141 partnership with № 5 Nephiat Burtz (84). After Burtz's claff* straight to the slips, no new batsman beat 12. At stumps Yeg was 11 not-out alongside his skipper.

Good news arrived early in the morning as it was announced that Antony Anselm, the home side's original wicket-keeper, had been released from the Canterbury Infirmary after an operation. The man himself appeared at Canterbury Field at lunchtime and joined Derwent Goodwin-Tuckett and Rupert Havelock Beamish in the GBC commentary box. "A draw to me looks likely," said Goodwin-Tuckett, "since Gruenberg still have four wickets to go and there's only a day left. It would seem they tend to be better than us at keeping a high run-rate, and so they may try to drag out a draw and win on the run rate rule." The statistics only just confirm Goodwin-Tuckett's observations: the visitors lead by 0·1 runs per over, and so they would win at this rate if the match continued without a result before stumps tomorrow. However, that run-rate lead is hardly an insurmountable one.

"A drawn Test to conclude this remarkable series, in which we have seen 25 nations playing some extraordinary cricket," remarked Anselm, "would be a sorry sight for everyone, especially the millions of Genyrians who will be taking up the public holiday tomorrow to commemorate this occasion. I, honestly, would prefer us to lose outright to Gruenberg, who would be worthy winners, than to beat them by the skin on our noses by the NRR rule. I have with delight read similar (but reversed, obviously) sentiments expressed in the Wenaist press." The side's captain Tarquin Kettering agreed that a result would be preferable. "But, on the other hand," he added, "a win is a win is a win." Neither man would commit to a result prediction.

Rupert Havelock Beamish added to this commentary by prophesying a declaration early in the morning session. "I can't imagine that Gruenberg would want to go on without putting Genyria in to bat again. I reckon captain Zambuimmi Hengtridan [(99*)] is going to wait to get his own century and maybe declare straight after that — maybe he'll wait until a 300 lead. At any rate," he advised, "Genyria should be getting ready to bat for a significant portion of the day tomorrow."

As for the umpire situation, both the GCB and GCF approved Heathcoate Ogbourne's replacement Timothy Wyndham, Lord Wyndham; however, the GCB criticised the need for a replacement as "symptomatic of the social disorder that bedevils all cultures that do not shower in the magnificence of [...] Her Holiness, Mother Wena", a statement in turn criticised by the Genyrian Secular Society as "symptomatic of the religious totalitarianism that bedevils all cultures that do not embrace secularism". Moreover, Zambuimmi Hengtridan insisted under Law 2.3 that the noble Lord only umpire at square leg, which was a concession he gladly made. (The need to umpire all day from one place was of some detriment to the wizened legs of Conrad Delphinius-Perkins, though!) The position on the cricket field of a peer of the realm is not a novelty to Genyrians, but Gruenbergers were amused to find the usually spirited calls of "OWZAAAAAAT?!" from the home side moderated to a calm "How is that, my Lord?" when directed to the man at square leg.

Gruenberg: 431 (118·1 ov.) & 233–6 (75 ov.)
Genyria: 401 (120 ov.)
The World Championship Final concludes tomorrow.

1  FIGGUT, H.D.                           b. Mauntell          4
2  NAROADNIG, Y.T.Q.               l.b.w. b. Appleby         115
3  HENGTRIDAN, Z.G.K.  *           l.b.w. b. Appleby          45
4  ENCHANTE, B.L.        c. Avril         b. A.Stretton       35
5  BURTZ, N.                       l.b.w. b. W.Stretton       76
6  PINNEX, W.D.B.                  l.b.w. b. Appleby          90
7  TURVUAEDNES, S.D.P. †           l.b.w. b. W.Stretton        0
8  NEJJIMHIO, P.R.       c. Avril         b. Mauntell         16
9  YEG, D.B.                       l.b.w. b. Mauntell          4
10 UGLAXX, P.P.P.        st. Huntingdon † b. Appleby          17
11 EFFEFFLUESSESSLU, T.               not out                  0
 Extras   (2 b, 4 lb, 10 w, 13 nb)                            29
 Total    (all out; 118·1 overs)         (3·65/over)         431

                 O    M    R    W
Mauntell        29    7  119    3
Sergius Quercus 26    3  116    0
Appleby         29.1  4  103    4
W. Stretton     26    2   52    2
A. Stretton      8    0   35    1

1  AVRIL, G.L.           c. Turvuaednes † b. Nejjimhio        43 
2  GRIFLETT, L.P.        c. Turvuaednes † b. Uglaxx           32
3  KETTERING, T.       * c. Pinnex)       b. Uglaxx            4
4  MOREAUX, A.J-B.                 l.b.w. b. Uglaxx           20
5  GOSHAWK, G.T.W.       c. Hengtridan    b. Nejjimhio       124
6  STRETTON, A.P.                     not out                 36
7  HUNTINGDON, O.V.B.  †           l.b.w. b. Nejjimhio        35
8  STRETTON, W.R.        run out (Yeg/Enchante)               47
9  SERGIUS QUERCUS, M.   c. Turvuaednes † b. Uglaxx           39
10 MAUNTELL, C.                       not out                 15
11 APPLEBY, N.P.R.                   c. & b. Yeg               1
 Extras   (0 b, 1 lb, 0 w, 4 nb)                               5
 Total    (all out; 120 overs)         (3·34/over)           401

                  O    M    R    W
Yeg              23    2   76    1
Uglaxx           22    1   97    4
Effeffluessesslu 23    0   75    1
Enchante         16    2   38    0
Nejjimhio        30    0   85    3
Pinnex            4    0   22    0
Naroadnig         2    0    7    0

1  FIGGUT, H.D.          c. Huntingdon †  b. Sergius Quercus   6
2  NAROADNIG, Y.T.Q.     c. Avril         b. Sergius Quercus   4
3  HENGTRIDAN, Z.G.K.  *              not out                 99
4  ENCHANTE, B.L.        run out (Moreaux/Hunt.†/Appleby)      4
5  BURTZ, N.             c. Avril         b. Mauntell         84
6  TURVUAEDNES, S.D.P. † c. Serg. Quercus b. Mauntell          8
7  NEJJIMHIO, P.R.       st. Huntingdon † b. Appleby           7
8  YEG, D.B.                          not out                 11
 Extras   (6 b, 2 lb, 0 w, 2 nb)                              10
 Total    (6 wickets; 75 overs)          (3·11/over)         233

Still to bat: W.Pinnex, P.Uglaxx, T.Effeffluessesslu

                 O    M    R    W
Sergius Quercus 10    2   36    2
Mauntell        24    7    0    2
Appleby         25    3   64    1
W.Stretton      10    1   43    0
A.Stretton       5    0   26    0

GRUENBERG won the toss and chose to bat
World Championship | GCF International Test Season 1, 2011
Umpires: C. Delphinus-Perkins, H. Ogbourne T.Wyndham
Played at Canterbury Field, Genyria
19th April 2011 to 23rd April 2011

* OOC: "Claff", pronounced to rhyme with "staff", is a uniquely Genyrian word for any touch on the ball made by a batsman with his bat, sourced from the Latin word for "batsman", "clavator".

[Genyria]

Genyrian Broadcasting Corporation

Regional News
Trelavia: Local Affairs


Trelavians get ready for cricket holiday

Preparations are ongoing across the region for celebrations of the closing day of the Cricket World Championship Final in Canterbury. The day will be a public holiday, under the recently-passed Sporting Events Act 2011 which empowered the goverment to announce such holidays at relatively short notice. However, many places of work have decided to stay open — not in order to do business, but to facilitate communal watching of the cricket.

"The region will unite together
to support our eleven men in
Canterbury."
— Sen. Duncan Gagwilde
  

Schools across our region are setting up televisions and projectors to allow their students to watch the final day in full. Andrew Morden, headmaster of Wryton Imperial Grammar School, has issued an offer to all the people of Wryton to watch on a massive screen which he has set up, fittingly enough, on the cricket fields of the school. Hestia Shimpling, leader of East Nostershire County Council, will be hosting a similar party in her home in Radcliffe-beyond-the-Waters. Six applications for street parties have been recieved by City of Canterbury authorities.

Sen.* Duncan Gagwilde, Mayor of Canterbury, said, "I'm overjoyed at the positive response to the hosting of the cricket final here has had across the country. All indications suggest that the region will unite together to support our eleven men in Canterbury. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved both in running the match itself and in arranging celebrations across our region."

Similar celebrations are being arranged in the country's other regions. Should Genyria win, they may continue into tomorrow. Trelavia's pubs† are bracing themselves for an upsurge in custom either way.

* OOC: Short for "Senator". Gagwilde is a senator ex officio.
† OOC: The Genyrian "pub" is completely unlike the standard concept of the public house. Alcohol is not popular in Genyria, and so pubs tend not to sell them, but instead a variety of fruit juices and drinks similar to alcoholic ones. They are essentially social clubs.

[Genyria]

Union of Genyrian Cricket Officials
Press Statement



Withdrawal of Heathcoate Ogbourne

The Union of Genyrian Cricket Officials regrets to report the withdrawal of Mr. Heathcoate Ogbourne from umpiring the World Championship Final. The Union will be carrying out a thorough internal investigation to identify the causes of this upset, in order to learn from it and prevent an embarrassment like this occurring again.

While the UGCO has found the Gruenberg side to be worthy and sportsmanly opponents, we are disappointed that the Gruenberg Cricket Board has seen fit to blame the non-incidence of Wenaism in Genyria for this incident.

There will be no further comment before the investigation is completed.

Ernest Pembroke
Chairman

[The Babbage Islands]

GCF World Test Championship
End Final

From Genyria:
Gruenberg 358/8 (85 overs); Genyria
Gruenberg 431 all out (118.1 overs); Genyria 140/4 (40 overs)
Genyria 401 all out (120 overs); Gruenberg 6/0 (2 overs)
Gruenberg 233/6 declared (75 overs); Genyria
Genyria 265/7 (68.3 overs)
Genyria win by 3 wickets

Congratulations to the World Champions from Genyria and the runners-up from Gruenberg!

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