Full review of little MJ's first game and the 2s big win against Dandenong.

The trip out to Dandy didn’t start so well as I got to freeway and realised I’d forgotten my whites, 25 mins later I was back on the freeway, get a call from Squeaks saying she found us an 11th player, a young Melton girl who was supposedly the way Squeaks was when she was 12. I’m a little apprehensive about this as how many Squeakys can one team handle? But thankful for having full team when need a win to cement a home final.

Pitch is a violet crumble (very thin outer layer but excess crumble just beneath) so a good toss to win, as we bat first. Squeaks rocks up with young fill in MJ – have a little panic as I can’t see MJ in car when Squeaks rocks up, turns out she just can’t see over dashboard. Briefly wonder whether VCA has rules about playing players under 4 foot? Squeaky and Dot get us off to great start, bludgeon 31 off first three overs, on track for a good score before Reens puts the mozz on Squeaks. Never say someone will make a ton – they will inevitably go out next ball... MJ gives Reens 5c piece as a bad luck charm which works a little too well, not only getting Reens, but Lou and Dot also.

Empy reeling at 4/39 after losing 4/4. Bobby supposed to go into bat but too busy at Subway getting lunch (cocky!) so Sammy La and Wigs decide to put on a show. Wigs making the rest of us look bad by smashing 60 off 47 and defs on way to maiden ton before being run out (freaky far end direct hit). Sammy continues Wigs’ good work, picking up a lazy 45 in her second innings for the year. Meanwhile on the sidelines little MJ is sledging her newfound teammates (a bit like another MJ I know…) Has a break while she gets stuck into a Mr. Whippy, but then is back, telling Squeaks that “if she could bat she wouldn’t have gone out!” Never mind that Squeaks hit her 500th run for the season earlier in the day...

Bobby gets a cheer as she hits double figures for the first time this season, some smart batting from Pommy and clean hitting by Doc down the order take us to 204, our second highest total for the year, and super confidence boost.

Head out into the field, sun goes behind cloud but Tina Bobbarina (which is her real surname according to some... Sam?) and Sammy La shine, picking up 3 wickets in first 3 overs to put Dandy on back foot straight away. Wigs given the ball and generates some serious heat, Pommy getting a bit nervous under the lid. MJ runs in to field first ball for Empy, we call out, despite being at deepish mid off, pings it in Molly Strano style over the bails to keeper, displaying an arm Reens would kill for (it’s ok Princess, she’s not quite 20 years your junior). Dandy girls decide to take on little MJ though... MJ fielding at short fine leg, batters try for a cheeky single, Empy shouts to throw to bowlers end where run out would be by about half pitch length, MJ ignores us all (again like another MJ I know) and executes diving, underarm flick direct hit into stumps, Jonty Rhodes/Ricky Ponting style. Empy are halfway between jubilant and in awe, even batter has a wry smile, has she just been run out by the next Betty Wilson?

Empy goes to drinks needing 2 wickets to clinch win, MJ comes up to me, tugs on sleeve and asks with puppy dog eyes whether she can have a bowl. I can’t resist, and promise her an over. Turns out she is bowling into a ferocious wind, Sammy La says I can’t make her bowl into it, is child brutality etc. MJ’s first ball shuts Sammy up. Quick, full, straight, perfectly executing plan we have had all day. First over is so good that I can’t not give her second over. Captain at the other end doesn’t look like getting a wicket anyway. Proves to be a good call as MJ keeps hitting a good line and length, forcing the batter into rash stroke which Bobby gloves safely. Empy goes wild, and even batter comes over to shake her hand. MJ only needs two balls to clean up the last, plum LBW (was never going to go over the top now was it?!) and Empy clinches a win, and a definite top 2 finish. Future definitely looks bright!

Oh and little MJ isn’t 12 years old…she is 10…