We were all set, the perfect English Sunday afternoon. We had the folding chairs out, a couple of oranges for light refreshment, blue skies with a wisp of cloud here and there. We had pulled up to the village green and set up our seats up in the gantry. We had a great view over the goal posts to see the action. Shaun had just been sent out batting at number 4. Two of Islip's finest had already been sent packing with their tales between their legs and Mr Curtis, Captain Wonder, was now having to step up to the plate, and boy did he help himself to a man sized portion of the Titchmarsh Cavaliers' bowlers. As we were joined by a Curtis fan, Oliver, from down the road Shaun really started to turn on the style. It didn’t matter who was bowling or what was being bowled he was turning everything down his leg side. He then started playing the ball all round the ground BOSH another 4. Pace spin didn’t matter to him he saw the ball as big as a melon. At his first drinks break Shaun was on about 20 and looking very good for it. The sun was toasting his skin and sweat literally streaming off his face but he looked like a man possessed. I took this opportunity to get a few words from the every growing fan base. Alex noted "Shaun is playing really well, I though he could only play down the leg side but he is showing us all of his shots today". "He is now showing that raw potential that made people stand up and take notice as a youth" Oliver added. After drinks I received a phone call from a friend of mine, he had heard about the show Shaun was giving the soon to be record breaking crowd and wanted a piece of the action. As Stuart arrived he noted "Shaun looks a demi god out there". As the now record crowd watched with a growing excitement as Shaun edged ever nearer his first ever 50 a well warranted drinks were called. He was told he was on 49 only one shy. Anticipation could be cut with a knife, well to be honest even the bluntest of sporks would have cut this will Shaun make his magic half century. In his mind all he was thinking was, I'm going to do this the classy way and spank the ball over to the crowd who had all moved square of the wicket but on Shaun's on side. The bowler who was running on his very last reserves put up what Stuart would only call a grenade and Shaun saw his chance. A mighty swing towards the record crowd and then it happened, he had been out done by a crafty grenade. But don't worry this tale does not end badly. On the way back to the pavilion the scorers counted up again and Shaun had already got his half century. The day was complete. The crowd cheered clapped and congratulated the hero of the day even after all the anticlimax. The crowd soon dispersed and Islip against all odds went on to lose the match but in our eyes Shaun is the real winner.
