Day 1:

It was Saturday, the day of our much anticipated game had arrived. By ten o'clock, following a short taxi ride, we were enjoying the beautiful scenery which compliments Slovenia's ground. The two distinctive churches together with the alps dominating 270 degrees of the horizon make Ljubljana simply the most attractive place I have played cricket.

Photo © ECC

Under the 25ƒc sun, I think to a man we were all grateful Honza won the toss and elected to bat. The job was entrusted to Colin and Paul as they strode to the wicket to open the first innings. Such faith was rewarded, as in the face of some hostile yet accurate bowling on a bouncy track, accompanied by some hearty sledging, our openers put on 79 for the first wicket. Paul fell shortly after the drinks break for a stubborn, if not fluent 40, bowled by Brad. A characteristically brutal knock from Scott complimented Colin's strokeplay as the Slovenian bowlers tired from their morning's excursions and the reality of the task in hand. A very enjoyable curry lunch was made more palatable for Prague CC with the score on 120 - 1. Slovenia were left to rue several dropped chances which were to prove costly.

Service was resumed after lunch, Scott completing an excellent half-century and Colin recording his maiden hundred for the club in majestic style. Slovenia were staring down the barrel of a monster first innings total but finally rallied to break the partnership of 150 with Brad bowling Scott for 59 and accounting for Colin (116) in the same way.

As Prague looked to press the scoring in preparation for a declaration, wickets fell at regular intervals. Captain Honza ensured there wasn't a complete collapse seeing the innings through to a club record 308/9 with an intelligent and unbeaten 30.

Slovenia were invited to bat for a tricky 16 overs at the end of the first day. A task made none the easier from their exploits in the field, but also a fired up Lawrence, let off the lead and bowling with pleasing hostility. He was ably supported by Nick, who was to bowl his only three overs of the match after falling victim (literally) to a rabbit hole whilst fielding on the boundary. An important cog in the Prague CC bowling machine which was sure to be missed.

This said, it was Lawrence who brought about the first breakthrough, convincing the Slovenian opener that self-preservation was worth more than his wicket, and inducing a rash falling-away pull shot. The skier was taken by stand-in wicket keeper Paul and the assault to enforce the follow-on (by restricting Slovenia to less than 208 in their first innings) had begun.

Honza's decision to bowl himself paid immediate dividends as he had Slovenia's no. 3 excellently taken in the gully by Russell at the second attempt. With the light closing in, Slovenia's batsmen were withdrawn to fight another day at 51-2, still 157 short of the follow-on target.

Day 2:

Resistance in the Slovenian ranks may well have waned as early as the first ball of the second over, with Lawrence (one of the fresher among us) cutting a hostile delivery back into the ribs of the opener, setting the tone for the day ahead.

We didn't have long to wait for our first breakthrough of the day, Honza claiming his second wicket of the innings - that of the remaining Slovenian opener - thanks to a brilliant one handed catch by Lawrence at a wide leg slip.

Mani removed Slovenia's proven dangerous captain, Mark (going into the match with an average in excess of 180) with an unplayable leg-cutter, well taken in the slips by Colin for a single. Scott had a Slovenian-born batsman with a good technique caught behind after a stubborn innings, before Colin chipped in with two in quick succession thanks to dangerous late swing, one through the gate and the other LBW.

Paul relinquished the keeping duties to the more than capable Sirshar, before wrapping up the innings bowling leg breaks, picking up a caught and bowled before bowling Brad through the gate. Slovenia were all out for just 136 in 51 overs, still needing 172 to avoid an innings defeat. The intensity from Prague CC had been the relentless, the bowling incisive and unfriendly, the chat?..well let's just say it made me proud. We now had to 55 overs to bowl Slovenia out for a historic innings victory.

Slovenia's second innings intentions were clear from the outset. As Prague's bowling grew increasingly tired, Slovenia's openers covered up well and ground out a meagre 21 from the first 20 overs. The breakthrough was proving hard to come by. It eventually came from the bowling of Scott who finally tempted Slovenia's opener with a short ball. The resulting top edge was taken by Paul at deep mid wicket.

This wicket breathed life into the Prague bowlers and when Scott's spin had a batsman snapped up by Colin at silly point, and Paul's leg spin accounted for Captain Mark (Lawrence taking his second catch at leg slip) followed by another picked up in the slips by Colin, we were in with a real chance of an unlikely victory.

Once again the batsmen's defence held out for a considerable time and after admirable yet fruitless spells from Russell and David, Honza turned back to the pace of Lawrence and the guile of Colin, the former once again doing the business by uprooting middle stump. As time wore on, everything was tried to take the remaining wickets, but alas, none came and the match ended in a draw. As the captains shook hands and shared a local television interview, Honza more than eloquently represented the Czech team. The Czechs can take great heart from our efforts, in the knowledge that we outplayed a worthy adversary (who beat us by 8 wickets last time) for two days, and indeed in all disciplines of the game.

As for our opposition, I have the greatest appreciation. Their hospitality off the field was of the warmest nature, with every effort being made to make our stay an enjoyable one. My personal thanks are extended to Al, who whether by habit or a sense of obligation was always around to show us where to eat or dance, in my opinion above and beyond the call of duty. As for Slovenia? Simply breathtaking - a worthy holiday destination in its own right. Indeed the ice cream is worth the train fare on its own. The fact that there's a game of cricket on offer is a bonus.

Finally a quick note about touring with Prague Cricket Club. I can say without a shadow of a doubt, Prague CC is the warmest cricket club I have had the pleasure to be associated with, full of genuine people who appreciate good cricket, the opportunity to play cricket in foreign lands and who don't mind getting their hands dirty for the cause. Roll on the next tour!