Abbotsford angle for narrow win in Melbourne thriller
 
Isambard 170-9 (25 overs) (N.Moore 52, M.Haberman 32).  Abbotsford Anglers 172-9 (25 overs) (J.Lawson 3-22, Dermot Steedman 2-12, P.Brady 2-29).  Abbotsford Anglers won by one wicket (25-over game).
 
It was Victoria's worst drought on record.  The bushfires had raged in the north-east for 118 consecutive days. The northerly breeze regularly blanketed the city of Melbourne in a black smoke haze. Most country and some city cricket seasons were cancelled.  The dams were at less than 20% capacity and the toughest water restrictions meant no water for cricket pitches.
 
However, this was not going to stop Isambard's hotly anticipated first international fixture against the Abbotsford Anglers. A much-welcome downpour on the preceding Thursday night saved the game. The wicket (a synthetic pitch in the cosmopolitan environs of Fawkner Park) was downgraded from leg-breaking concrete to merely lightning fast.
 
Most in the Isambard line up had a curious Antipodean twang to their cockney accents, although Adam Malin stood out as having a different sort of North London drawl.  Seven of the team (and a couple of Anglers) had genuine claims to have experienced the green tops of London in Isambard's colours to authenticate this truly international clash.
 
The game was reduced to 25 overs a side, and Isambard had a bat. The Steedman brothers Dermot and Dave opened the batting, with skipper Dermot immediately feeling a need to get on with things. He did: two misses and a mishit to mid-on resulted in a three-ball duck.  Aiks Christie then followed suit, and with Malin having travelled 14,000 miles for one run, Isambard were in trouble at 3-3.  Anglers' best bowler, Howie McCorkell, was on fire, sporting the figure-hugging blue lycra (or was it just the extra small tag on the back?) of the Sri Lankan Ranatunga with pride.
 
Dave Steedman hit a couple of nice fours, and Sean Brady hit a quick 18, but 64-6, whilst a recovery from their earlier dire straits, still looked nothing like enough.  Enter Nick Moore.  The Isambard all-rounder batted like the great Mike Hussey, caressing the ball through the covers on the way to an Isambard best of 52. He and Matty Haberman put on 71 for the seventh wicket (one short of equalling the record), and guaranteed a match was to be had.
 
The English often dribble over fairy cakes and cold sausage rolls and claim that it is the best tea ever, but Anglers' refreshments, including a Barbie with the kangaroo and emu Australian coat of arms, washed down with Victoria Bitter stubbies, will surely never be surpassed.
 
There was plenty of banter about how quick Chipper O'Brien really is. The first ball of the Anglers innings faced by Al Sutton was probably unplayable. Aiks took a shoulder-high reflex catch 25 yards behind the stumps.  Paul Brady then had Clark caught behind for another golden duck, but Irish (72) and Ramone (28) then consolidated things for the home side.
 
However, Isambard worked hard in the field, and their efforts paid off.  Anglers slumped from 80-2 to 98-5, then from 126-5 to 129-8 as the fielders held most of their catches and Ji Lawson bowled as if his life depended on it.  Dermot Steedman had Drake caught by Aaron Sims to leave Anglers 152-9, and the pressure was on.
 
Anglers were indebted to their last pair, Thompson (18) and Cobb (12) who hit the ball hard and saw the hosts home in the final over.  Despite their defeat, Isambard were presented with the inaugural Abbotsford Ashes urn by a gracious Al Sutton.  A big thank you to Al and his team for some fantastic hospitality and an excellent match - now, when are you guys coming over for the return fixture?
 
Match report by Dermot Steedman (eventually).