Yesterday snow-today the stumps are out for the beginning of the 06 season at the Old Manse Rectangular where cricket has been played since records began with one distinguished occupant of the Manse carrying his bat for 60 before retiring-12 more than the best his predecessor could manage. The Old Manse XI is lacking match practice and with the star silly mid off and forcing No 11 bat still in foreign parts the team is X short of a side. until the usual suspects can be rounded up. The left hand image is of the pitch from behind the bowlers arm and the other is the Third Umpires view from what would be the balcony if the Old Manse had one. The ground is in practice mode. Two more stumps at the Rutherford End and the bails will be ceremoniously added just before the first match against a Hutton Think Tank and Fishwick Special Branch combined side at date to be revealed only the preceding day for obvious security reasons.

Yes, Sharp eyed of Surbiton, the heavy roller is inded needed to flatten out the winter bumps and the odd Mole hill, But is temporarily missing and may only be discovered when the groundsman has successfully mowed the North Pitch which is currently under very heavy grass and too soft for any serious pitch preparation work.  ¶ 4:58 PM