On seeing a brand new, flat looking wicket with a lightening fast outfield, a short boundary towards the Pavilion and the forecast of blazing sun and 32c, Baggs did what any horrifically hungover skipper would do if he won the toss - FIELD!
With E Hannah playing his record equalling 4th consecutive game and Swanny fresh off an 8fer, TCC started tightly, with stand in umpire Frewen giving one of the easier LBW decisions to get TCC on the board and give Hannah the first of his 3 wickets. After the other opener dragged on, also to Clive, Tendulkar JR came to the crease and immediately played positively, capitalising on anything wide.
After Johnnie Smith didn't quite get things right, Baggs turned to the slow mediums of Bullon and Hicks to tie things down. he was rewarded when Tendulkar Jr slapped a length ball to a cleverly positioned hovering mid off.
After Bennett took 2 wickets with his off-breaks, it became clear that Bron would be batting the full 55 overs. What followed was a slow, turgid nudge towards an acceptable total. Swan returned to take 2 at the death and Clive took his third caught at long off.
Bron declared 237-9 off 55 - very chaseable, given the aforementioned playing conditions.
Elliott and Pryde opened up to face the charged up Tendulkar. Pryde played him with ease, pulling off the front foot into the pav. Elliott was slightly less elegant, top-edging a hook into his lid and causing a break in play to clear up the resulting claret.
After serene progress Elliott called Pryde through for a tight single and Prydey was well short to a good direct hit. He took it very well and his annoyance was barely obvious.
Smith and Meek chipped away at the total while Elliott looked increasingly fluent at the other end. Smith was bowled by the leg-spinner and Meek skied Tendulkar JR to be well caught by the keeper.
Captain Baggs, now sufficiently recovered, walked out to join Elliott with 6 per over needed and immediately got to work, making it clear that running would be at a minimum.
Elliott was eventually dismissed for a well made run a ball 93 by the returning Tendulkar.
Hicks joined Baggs to be told 'we can do this all in boundaries' and he walked the walk - 6x4's, 2x6's and a fair amount of running later, the exhausted captain was bowled for 48 off 28, barely able to lift the bat, walk or really talk.
The remaining 6 runs were ticked off without fuss and TCC won in the 43rd over by 5 wickets. A potentially challenging chase made to look very easy.
On to Acton next week.