Ribblesdale League: Bhave's batting behaviour! (17 July 1999)

17 July 1999

Ribblesdale League: Bhave's batting behaviour!

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Indian run machine Surendra Bhave has issued an apology to Jennings Ribblesdale League bowlers.

Not for the amount of runs he has again plundered this season - to date standing at 639 at an average of 91.28 - but for his sub-conscious habit while batting.

For wayward bowlers are informed of the result of their inaccuracy long before the ball crosses the boundary, as Bhave casually states "four" immediately it leaves his bat.

And, should his opponent deliver a full toss, the bowler receives a polite "thankyou" from the other end as the ball inevitably meets the same fate.

"I don't do it to annoy anybody. I'm just concentrating and a few words come out spontaneously.

"The young South African side that toured India this winter shout 'hit' as they strike the ball or 'catch' when they are catching it as part of co-ordinating doubling up.

"But that is nothing to do with the habit I've got into.

"It just happens - it is in my game unknowingly," he explained.

Despite the frequency of their professional's remarks this season, Settle have again struggled and face a daunting trip to Ribblesdale Wanderers tomorrow after hosting leaders Cherry Tree today.

And Bhave knows that, having picked up wins against other strugglers in recent weeks, a shock result would be a bonus. He said: "There are still things we need to work on as a team.

"Hopefully we can nick a win from one of the top teams then we will have more confidence against the sides we have already beaten.

"We now have young players coming through into the side such as batsman Robbie Preston and the left arm spinner Adam Gowland. I had a few more runs at this stage last season but I am starting to score the runs again and hopefully a dry weekend will get me a few more runs."

Tomorrow's game at Church Meadow could see a run feast as Bhave is pitched against the prolific Shahid Nawaz.

He has so far scored a staggering 838 league runs at a staggering average of 139.67.

And Bhave is struggling to detect a weakness in the Pakistani's game.

He said: "He looks to go after the bowling and if he gets the first 40 or 50 quickly then it is a big knock every time.

"But one of these days he is going to be out early. I know, as a batting pro, I am going to be out early on occasions."

Tomorrow's fixtures: Barnoldswick v Os Immanuel, Cherry Tree v Baxenden, Great Harwood v Edenfield, Padiham v Blackburn N, Read v Earby, Ribblesdale W v Settle, Whalley v Clitheroe.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (http://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)

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Players/Umpires

Surendra Bhave