🦆 The Duck Pond

🏏 A single fixture upon the fields this week, and Cranbrook CC's bowling proved altogether too searching for four of our number, who file into the Ledger of the Nought in varying states of ceremony. 1st XI — v Cranbrook CC (home) - F Warde opened proceedings in the most inauspicious fashion imaginable, dismissed lbw to X Marshall for his first duck of a debut innings, then, called upon again in the same fixture, was stumped by X Dyke off X Dunk for a second — a full pair on debut, no less, the sternest possible welcome to the crease, and enrolment straightway upon the Duck of the Year 1873 honours. He stands 10th of 73 in the club's all-time ledger of ducks, level now upon two with a small fraternity that includes C French Snr, E Skinner and F Daniels. - H Freed, batting at seven, was bowled by X Marshall without scoring — his second career duck in but three innings, and 11th of 73 upon the all-time list. He now sits level upon two career ducks with the aforementioned company, Mr Warde among them. - J T Amies, opening the innings, was likewise bowled by X Marshall for nought — his first duck in eight innings of trying, placing him 20th of 73. He joins a considerable gathering level on a single career duck, among them E M Owens, E Price and the estimable J Woollett, the latter himself a Duck of the Year laureate of 1865. Curiously, upon this very date in 1867, both R J Bennett and W Goad were each sent back for nought against Staplehurst CC — a pleasing coincidence of the calendar, six years apart almost to the day, and the pattern each of this week's duckers shares. Week in summary: four ducks from a single match, all falling to the bowling of X Marshall save Mr Warde's second, and all in the home eleven's showing against Cranbrook. Mr Warde's full pair is the week's chief curiosity — a gentleman twice walked to the wicket and twice walked straight back, a feat of consistency few would care to repeat. Duck Hunting Season Leaderboard - F Warde — 2 innings, 2 ducks, 100% - H Freed — 1 innings, 1 duck, 100% - J T Amies — 2 innings, 1 duck, 50% The willow awaits its next victims at the coming fixture, and the club's exclusive zero club stands ever ready to receive fresh membership. Until then, gentlemen — mind the timbers.