Chapter 14
International Debut
It was the day of Clinton’s One Day International debut against Australia at The Rose Bowl in Hampshire, his grandfather Reginald Thompson was at home and getting ready to watch the game on the TV as he had, had a mild stroke just a few weeks before, Clinton’s grandmother Georgia was there to look after him, Clinton’s mother Chelsea was at The Rose Bowl to see her son make his international debut, his father would also see it live on TV in the Scottish retreat that he, Oliver Kennedy and Anthony Collins were hiding away in.
As Reginald sat down the coverage started on the TV on Channel 5.
"My name is Mark Nicholas, Good morning and welcome to The Rose Bowl for Channel 5’s first ever coverage of a live international cricket match between England and Australia, with me today are Michael Vaughan, Geoffrey Boycott and Alec Stewart, good morning all, so what do you think of the story here today that Clinton Radford will make his international debut after playing only a handful of games for Hampshire, you first Michael"
The camera spanned over to Michael Vaughan.
"Well Mark, I have seen this young guy play just a couple of weeks ago and he can play he scored an effortless seventy nine not out against Yorkshire and never played a false shot and strangely he bowls off spin and leg spin and bowls it very well" Michael Vaughan replied
"Geoffrey what do you think" asked Mark Nicholas
The camera spans over to Geoffrey Boycott
"Well Mark, I was at the same game as Michael and yes he has only played a handful of games for Hampshire, But and this is a big but he has undoubted talent and is a wonderful find but he is young nineteen I believe and he could just be a flash in the pan, his bowling could be his strength and his batting does need improving but there is talent there" Replied Geoffrey Boycott
"Alec I believe you have seen him play as well what is your opinion on him" asked Mark Nicholas
The camera spans to Alec Stewart
"Well Mark I have and I do have to disagree with Geoffrey, he is a fantastic batsman and when I saw him at The Swalec Stadium in Cardiff in their recent watch against Glamorgan he hit a six the cleared the Media Centre and that takes some doing" replied Alec Stewart
"And also may I say is that I saw him bowl that day as well and he is a brilliant off spin bowler, but also a good leg spinner as well and there is not many of them around and he does seem to be a find I must say" Alec Stewart also replied
The camera spanned to Mark Nicholas
"yes thank you the tree of you, I must say I have seen him play a couple of second team games for Hampshire and I agree with what you all say he is a raw talent and a find and a half, the one innings of his that sticks in my mind was a hundred he got and he not only played some super shots but he hit some massive blows for six, his bowling well I agree Alec he is a brilliant off spinner, but his leg spin is very good too, well England have won the toss here and unsurprisingly have chosen to bat and if the order stays as it is we may get to see Clinton Radford at some time in the innings, as he is due to come in at number four, is that too high for him Geoffrey" Mark Nicholas said
"No I don’t think it is too high and if England lose early wickets it could be exciting to see this young man come out and bat, the right decision has been made by England by batting first" Geoffrey Boycott replied
"Michael what do you think" Mark Nicholas looked and asked Michael Vaughan
"My opinion is the same as Geoffrey, the right decision has been made by England by batting first although I must say there is may be a bit in it for the bowlers to, there is a bit of moisture in the wicket so the bowl will swing early on and the Australians have some good seam bowlers, so it won’t be easy to bat early up, but I am looking forward to seeing this boy Radford bat on the big stage" Michael Vaughan replied to Mark Nicholas
"Alec what do you think on England decision to bat first" Mark Nicholas asked Alec Stewart
"Well yes it is right to bat first, but England need to use the power plays to their advantage, Clinton Radford at four, I’m not too sure on that, but hay I am not an England selector and they seem to know what is right for the team, his bowling will be important as I believe this pitch will turn for the spinners, but I agree with Michael it will seam and swing, it will be difficult at the start" Alec Stewart replied to Mark Nicholas
"The other thing I would like to ask the three of you, is Clinton Radford capable of playing Test cricket or is he just a one day player, Geoffrey what do you think" Mark Nicholas asked
"Well it is early day yet, he has not played a four day county game yet, but there have been players in the past who have played one day cricket and then shown they can play the longer form of the game, the test series starts in three weeks time, if I were a selector I would pick him tell he him is in the side for the series and see what he does, if he does nothing then, you have lost nothing, but if he does well, as I believe he will as he has undoubted natural talent, you have unearthed a star" Geoffrey Boycott replied to Mark Nicholas
"Geoffrey that is the key work here, natural talent and this boy has an abundance of it and my opinion is he will make it, what do you think Alec" Mark Nicholas replied
"Yes he has natural talent, he could be a brilliant asset at test level as he can bowl off spin and leg spin, where would he bat at test level, well for me it would be number five or six, it would depend if you were to play him as an all-rounder or not if you were I would put him in at number six as the batting all-rounder" Alec Stewart replied
"Are we not getting a bit ahead of ourselves here the kid has not even played a county game let alone a test match and he is only making his one international debut today, yes he has undoubted talent and I believe one day he will play test cricket but he needs to be tested in the county arena first, that is where we are going to see if he can play the longed form of the game, but if he were to play in the test series, I would do what Geoffrey said give him the full series and I also agree with Alec, I would bat him at six not as the batting all-rounder but the bowling all-rounder, don’t get me wrong he sure does have undoubted natural talent, he could well be a star of the future but we need to be careful at take the pressure of him at such a young age" Michael Vaughan replied
"Well I can see where all three of you are coming from, we do need to be careful with him and not push him in at the deep end, before he has played a county game, he sure does have undoubted natural talent, well thank you Geoffrey Boycott, Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart, we will take a break and be back soon for the start of this One Day International between England and Australia" Mark Nicholas replied looking into the camera.
He then looked at his wife Georgia and said to her "Did you hear that my love the great Geoffrey Boycott thinks our grandson has natural talent, Oh boy I can’t wait until the game starts and see what the rest have to say about our Clinton" Reginald said excitedly.
"Calm down Reginald you have not long had a stroke and come out of hospital, if you carry on you will make yourself ill" Georgia replied
"OK my love but Geoffrey Boycott likes our grandson, he saw him play, that to me means the world" Reginald replied
"OK my love" replied Georgia
With that the break on the TV ended.
"Good morning and welcome back to this one day international between England and Australia, England have won the toss and will bat first, still with me is Alec Stewart and we will have a look at the two sides first England" Mark Nicholas said
"Andrew Mann and David Miller (Capt.) are the openers at three we have John Jenkins, four on debut Clinton Radford, five Harry Graham, six Terry Franklin (Wkt), seven Chris Bradford, eight, nine, ten and eleven we have Phil Howe, Craig Matthews, Ian Cummings and Will Jones, so Alec what do you think of the England Line-up" Mark Nicholas said as he looked at Alec Stewart
"Well Mark, it looks strong up front we all know about the top three, we have spoken about the boy Radford, who will strengthen the bowling so a good mix if you ask me" Alec Stewart replied
"Right Australia line up like this Justin Harries, Graham Harries, yes they are brothers, Brad Cousins, James Morgan (Copt), Barry Cairns, Hugh Prince, Ken Kenny (wkt), Colin Bradshaw, Shane Wallace, Andre Bishop and Rob Francis, so Alec what do you think of the Australian Line-up" Mark Nicholas asked Alec Stewart
"Well Mark we know exactly what the two openers can do as their last five innings together have been century partnerships, Bishop well they have unearthed a new star there, he is a leg spinner in the mould of the great Shane Warne and bowls a bit swing as well, I think this will be a good game and both sides are evenly matched" Alec Stewart replied to Mark Nicholas
"Right thank you Alec, I agree that this will be an exciting close game and me myself I am looking forward to seeing Clinton Radford, but without any more to do we shall join our commentary team today, so it is over to Simon Hughes, who is joined for the start by Michael Vaughan, so guys it’s over to you" Mark Nicholas said
"Thank you Mark and the two England openers are out there ready to start and the opening bowler for Australia is Andre Bishop and he will bowl to Andrew Mann who is joined by David Miller the England Captain" Simon Hughes said he went on to say to Michael Vaughan "So Michael how do you see the game going today but before you answer let’s see the first ball"
Andre Bishop came running in and bowled an out swinger to Andrew Mann, Andrew Mann played forward got a nick and was caught behind by Ken Kenny and England were nought for one, but that soon became nought for two when John Jenkins was also caught behind for nought and this brought Clinton to the wicket with England in real trouble
"Well Simon I was going to say I could see England getting a big score but that looks a long way off at the moment, but in comes the debutant Clinton Radford and after just six balls, we will see what he is made of now, we will see if he has the heart and stomach for the challenge" Michael Vaughan replied.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT MICHAEL BLOODY VAUGHAN YOU WERE NEVER ANY GOOD AT ONE DAY CRICKET ANY WAY, MY BOY CLINTON GOT MORE BALLS THAN YOU MY MAN" Reginald shouted out at the TV.
With that the doorbell went and Georgia went to answer it, at the door was Isabella who had come around to watch the game with Reginald and Georgia and Chelsea would join them later.
"So here we go Clinton Radford’s first ball in international cricket and he will be facing Andre Bishop with the score still on nought for two, so here we go Bishop running in and that is pitched up there but what a stroke, I mean shot from Clinton Radford he has hit that through the covers for four like a rocket" Simon Hughes commentated
"That is just what I have seen the times I have seen him bat Simon, he just rocks on to the front foot and caresses it through the cover, pure timing, just hope that shot does not go to his head, I’m sure it won’t but you never know" Michael Vaughan said
"YES, YES MY BOY YOU GIVE THOSE AUSSIES A SLAPPING WHAT A SHOT" Reginald, Clintons’ grandfather shouted out at the TV
The next ball from Andre Bishop was short of length and Clinton rocked on to his back foot and pulled the ball high over mid-wicket for six and Michael Vaughan’s reaction in the commentary box said it all "Boy that was a great shot this boy has arrived, oh my word he has just hit Bishop straight back over his head one bounce for four, I don’t know what I am seeing here Simon but I am loving it. He has no fear, let me take my words back he does have the heart and he does have the stomach for the challenge" he said laughing as he did so.
"Yes my boy go on what another brilliant shot he has whipped Bishop of his legs through mid-wicket for another four Radford has taken eighteen so far off this over and England move on to eighteen for two and only sixteen balls and Clinton Radford is on fire oh my word that is a massive hit it has gone out of the ground, well he just planted the front foot forward and has hit Bishop straight back over his head and out of the ground for six, to be honest Simon that has been the best shot he has played in this inning" Michael Vaughan commented getting very excited as he did so
"Yes he sure is Michael he has taken the game to the Australians and has so far of this third over taken twenty four runs, well now make that thirty as he has nailed that one over long on for another six" Simon Hughes replied chuckling as he did so
"GO ON MY BOY HIT THOSE STINKING AUSSIES ALL OVER THE SHOP, CAN YOU SEE THIS GEORGIA CAN YOU SEE OUR CLINTON, HE IS ON THE BIG STAGE NOW THIRTY OF SIX BALLS, SIX BLOODY BALL I SAY" Reginald Thompson was shouting at the top of his voice
"Reginald calm down my love or you will give yourself a heart attack" replied Georgia
"Ok stop you’re moaning" replied Reginald
Back at the game
"That’s England three wickets down and it is David miller out LBW to Rob Francis, the inning is falling apart here Michael, England just can’t cope well accept for Clinton Radford that is he seem to have no nerves at all and is batting without fear and with the shackles off" Simon Hughes commented
"Totally agree Simon he is a breath of fresh air and I take what I said earlier back, he has got the heart and the balls to play a good innings here today or maybe even a great innings" Michael Vaughan replied to what Simon Hughes had said
"Right Radford is on strike again here to Bishop I am surprised is still bowling after his last over went for thirty with three sixes and three fours, Bishop running in and he has done it again, that is high into the stand over at mid-wicket for six and Radford first seven balls in international cricket have gone for three fours and four sixes, Bishop in again and what a solid forward defensive shot that is, Bishop in again and it is short and what a shot through point for four by Radford and he moves on to forty in his first innings in international cricket and off only nine balls four fours and four sixes and England move on to forty for three" Simon Hughes commented
"If you are asking me Simon this boy Radford is going to go far and be a star" Michael Vaughan
With that Clinton proceeded to hit Andre Bishop for a huge six over Mid-wicket and out of the ground for six
"My word that is huge, Simon he has hit another one out of the ground for six" Said Michael Vaughan
"Yes Michael that is his biggest yet and the umpires have got to get a new ball again he moves on to forty six in eleven balls yes viewers you heard right eleven balls he is and he has as he puts a swinging half volley through the covers for four he has taken his score on to a fine fifty in twelve balls and five fours and five sixes in just nineteen minutes, England are fifty for three and all fifty runs to Clinton Radford on debut" Simon Hughes said
"Yes Simon what a fantastic innings it has been, no fear, just pure cricket shots and the best of the lot was the one to take him to his fifty, a beautiful cultured cover drive, he was in the perfect position, head over the ball, front foot right to the pitch of the ball, and played it late just as it should be played, quality" Michael Vaughan replied
"You don’t know anything guys he been playing like that for the last year and a half and has always played like it, he has always been a good driver of the ball, Michael Vaughan and you Simon Hughes you are both numpties and know nothing" Reginald Thompson said at the TV
"Reginald my love, they have not known Clinton as long as you have and are just giving their opinion on how he is playing today, the more they watch him the more they will realise what he is capable of doing and today is the start of things to come and these commentators and analysts will get to know his game and what he is capable doing" replied Georgia Thompson to Reginald’s question of the commentators.
"your right my love, they will and believe me Clinton is going to be a big star and today is the start of it and this innings, this fifty he has scored today will put him in good stead for that" Reginald replied
"See now you are listening to me for a change and that is a first in a long time" Georgia replied to Reginald laughing as she did so
"Ha ha ha you’re right for the first time in years" Reginald laughed back.
Back at the One Day international, Clinton had been taking a bit of verbal stick from the Australian entourage.
"Hay newbie you going to start to play straight and stop slogging you village green cricketer" one of them shouted
Another shouted "SLOGGER, SLOGGER, HE ONLY GOT ONE SHOT, SLOGGER, SLOGGER, HE’S ONLY GOT ONE SHOT"
Clinton looked at the two Australian players and just smiled, he then looked at the new bowler who was Barry Cairns and shouted "HAY CAIRNS I HEAR YOU BOWL PIE’S, MY GRANDMOTHER COULD BOWL QUICKER"
"HAY RADFORD SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH, YOU LITTLE UPSTART YOU, JUST CAUSE YOU HAVE SLOGGED TO COW CORNER AND GOT FIFTY DON’T MAKE YOU A CRICKETER YET AND WHAT DO THEY SAY ONE SWALLOW DOES NOT MAKE A SUMMER, SO SHUT UP AND PLAY STRAIGHT" Shouted Ken Kenny the Australian wicket keeper.
Clinton then just looked around and smiled and said "Listen Kenny, if I play straight you will not get me out and I will score plenty of runs"
"Radford just shut up and remember this I know about the deal with Cresandra Drake and the syndicate" Ken Kenny replied, he knew this because he was involved with the syndicate to
With that Clinton played and missed to the first ball he faced from Barry Cairns.
"Reel him in Cairnsy we got him fishing, he is there for the taking, put a bell in it he may hear it" James Morgan the Australian Captain said
The next ball Clinton leaned on to his front foot and caressed the ball straight back past the bowler for four through mid-off, he then just stood there a stared straight at Barry Cairns and smiled and pointed to where the ball had gone and said "Cairns there it goes, as I said pie chucker, keep feeding the ball to me there and I will keep putting it to the boundary"
Barry Cairns stood stared back at Clinton and just said "You need to be taught a lesson, you jumped up little up start and I am going to teach it to you, just you wait and see, huh a newbie treating us like this, not going to happen believe me, not going to happen" with a growl in his voice and a look of the devil in his eyes and steam coming out of his ears.
Barry Cairns went back to his mark and started to run in to bowl again and this time he was running in faster than he had done before and sent a short fast ball down at Clinton who went for the hook shot but this time he miss judged it and got hit just below the heart and a big thud could be heard all around the ground as the ball thudded in to Clinton’s ribs, Clinton fell to the ground in agony and gasping for breath but all he could hear was Barry Cairns and the rest of the Australian side.
"Come on get up you pussy, it didn’t hurt" Barry Cairns said
"Big boys games, Big boys rules Radford come on get up and show us what you are made of, you think you can hit us all over the ground and then when we hit you, you want us to feel sorry for you, you must be joking" Ken Kenny said
"Get up and rub it you know it hurts" said James Morgan the Australian captain
With that Clinton got up and stood there, looked at Barry Cairns and said "Right Cairns and this goes for all your boys, you have hurt me now and got me angry and I am now going to make you boys pay"
"Ha, Ha, Ha" laughed the Australian team at what had just been said to them.
"Yes I bet you will you pussy and with sore ribs, you got no chance of doing that" Barry Cairns replied to what Clinton had just said to him.
Clinton stood there and stared at him and said "We will see"
In the commentary box Mark Nicholas was with Geoffrey Boycott and were commenting on what had just happened
"This kid got some heart, he is going to carry on batting and has taken some stick there of the Australian players what do you think Geoffrey" mark Nicholas said to Geoffrey Boycott
"Well Mark, he needs to knuckle down and not try to hit them out of the ground" replied Geoffrey Boycott at the question asked of him by Mark Nicholas
Barry Cairns was at the end of his run and came running in and bowled another short ball to Clinton who this time proceeded to hook Barry Cairns high and handsome over deep square leg for six
In the commentary box Mark Nicholas was commentating "Well Geoffrey that puts your theory out of the window I don’t think he will be calming down or knuckling down, he has hit that one many a mile out over square leg for six"
"What do I know Mark, that was an unbelievable shot" Replied Geoffrey Boycott to the question ask of him by Mark Nicholas
Clinton stood stared at Barry Cairns pointed to the square leg boundary and said "Cairns there it is over there go and fetch it"
Barry Cairns walk up to Clinton and they stood there eyeball to eyeball and Cairns said to Clinton holding him by the throat " Listen here you boy, because that is what you are a young boy, I was playing this game before you could even walk, so don’t get to cocky as there is someone bigger and better than you"
"Listen take that fucking hand off my throat before I WRAP THIS FUCKING BAT AROUND YOUR Australian fucking skull and believe me I will do it" Clinton said looking straight into Barry Cairns eyes "And one other thing you and your cronies don’t frighten me, you may frighten other players and side but not me so bring it on and I will take you apart so fuck off back to you mark bowl it short and as fast as you like and I will hit as far as I can"
With that Harry Graham and James Morgan came to the middle of the wicket to separate the two players.
"Looked like there was a bit of an altercation there Geoffrey" Mark Nicholas said to Geoffrey Boycott
"Yes I don’t know what was going on there but Clinton Radford sure has got under the Australians skin and is winding them up and you know what Mark it is great just to see the Australians have a taste of their own medicine" Geoffrey Boycott replied to Mark Nicholas
"Yes Geoffrey I totally agree, they are getting a taste of their own medicine" Mark Nicholas replied
Barry Cairns walked back to his mark yet again and this time he had steam coming from his ears and was running in faster than ever and bowled a long swinging half volley outside the off stump and Clinton just leant onto the front foot knee bent and caressed the ball through the covers for four
"What a beautiful shot that was Mark, he done everything right knee bent, head over the ball and brilliant timing" Geoffrey Boycott said to Mark Nicholas in the commentary box
"Well Geoffrey need I say more you have described it perfectly just how the cover drive should be played and he has now moved onto sixty eight not out and the Australians just don’t know where to bowl to him, they have tried the short stuff and hit him but next ball went out of the ground and the pitch it up and he caresses it through the covers or straight down the ground, I don’t think there is a shot he can’t play" Mark Nicholas replied to Geoffrey Boycott
"Now Mark this is only his first game and he has a long way to go, but I must agree he does have a wide array of shots, off side, leg side, straight, he does play them well, but as I said let’s not get carried away with him just yet" Geoffrey Boycott replied
"Yes Geoffrey but you must agree, just for the viewers we are having a bit of a break for a change of gloves for Clinton Radford, yes sorry Geoffrey you must agree he does play the cover drive to perfection and he does play the hook very well" replied Mark Nicholas
"Yes Mark, I am not saying he does not play these shots well, but we must not put too much pressure on him this early in his career, he will come up against some better quality bowlers than this Australian attack, but I must say his cover drive is very graceful to say the least" replied Geoffrey Boycott
"Back to the game Geoffrey, Barry Cairns on his way in again to bowl to Clinton Radford, he has pitched that one up and wide of the off stump and Clinton Radford has belted that through square leg for four he now moves on to seventy two not out and England on to eighty four for three, well Geoffrey there is another shot but this time through square point, just brilliant if you ask me" Mark Nicholas commentated
"Mark that was the best shot he has played so far this morning a square drive for four, so we have seen from him a cover drives square drive and hooks, he sure has a wide range of shots, but as I said we need to be couscous as he is young and the adrenaline is pumping at the moment and he does need to calm himself down and play the game and situation" Geoffrey Boycott replied
"Yes Geoffrey, I guess you may be right but he has undoubted talent and can play without a care in the world, with grace and with perfection, he gets his feet in the right place, his head over the ball, and in the perfect position to play the shot he needs to play, yes he is young and carefree but talented and for me Geoffrey he has all the shots and will be a big name and star in the game of cricket" Mark Nicholas said
"Mark I have not much more to add to that, but you are right on one thing and that is he does have a wide array of shots and drives with perfection" Geoffrey Boycott replied to what Mark Nicholas had said.
Rob Francis came running in again to bowl to Clinton and sent down a long swinging half volley outside off stump and Clinton, again leaned on to his front foot, with his head over the ball and again proceeded to caress the ball through the covers for another four.
"You see Mark that was what I was talking about, his technique and his balance and timing of the ball and this is a mirror image of the cover drive in the last over from Barry Cairns" Geoffrey Boycott remarked
"Yes it is Geoffrey and it takes him on to seventy six not out, England move on to ninety one for three and after the start they have had as well, now let’s go to Simon Hughes the analyst" Commented Mark Nicholas
"Yes Mark, I have to shots here to look at and both are cover drives, the first look at his movement starts of moving on to the back foot and then see’s the ball is pitched up and then good balance and a lovely shot through the covers for four, the second same sort of shot but this time he sees it is going to be full and he is on the front foot and he caresses it through the covers for four again, this time a little bit squarer as you can see he opens the bat face a bit more, as Geoffrey always says, see it early, play it late, the later you wait the better, basically play the ball right under your nose and eyes" Simon Hughes commented
"Yes that is right Simon, see it early and play it late and Clinton Radford does that with some style" Geoffrey Boycott commented
"Right back to the game, while we were away with Simon, Harry Graham took a single and the score moves on to ninety two for three and we have Barry Cairns to bowl to Clinton Radford, oh that’s out must be yes it is LBW and Clinton Radford is out for seventy six, hang on wait a minute Radford is reviewing this well this will be interesting, right here we go, well it is not a no ball, pitches on the stumps and now it is just a matter of height and well that is not out it is missing the stumps for height and Clinton Radford is going to get away with one" Mark Nicholas commented
"Hay Radford you are lucky" Barry Cairns said
"A cheat if you ask me" Said James Morgan
Ken Kenny then walked up to Clinton and said "Radford you are a fucking cheat"
Clinton Replied "While in Rome dear boy"
"You what" asked Ken Kenny
"As they say Kenny while in Rome do what the Romans do" Clinton Replied
"So you are calling us cheats" Ken Kenny Asked
"Well if the shoe fits, dear boy" Clinton replied
"HAY GUYS THIS POMMIE IS CALLING US CHEATS, HE SAID WHILE IN ROME DO WHAT THE ROMANS DO, COME ON BAZA KNOCK HIS ENGLISH BLOCK OFF HIS SHOULDERS" Shouted Ken Kenny
"Have I hit a nerve Kenny" asked CLINTON
"Just you remember I know about the deal you struck with the syndicate and what you got paid ten thousand, I believe" Ken Kenny replied
Clinton just stood stared back at Ken Kenny with a look of worry in his face, but all this banter had got him all pumped up and his heart was pumping ten to the dozen.
Barry Cairns came running in again and this time dug one in short and Clinton rocked on to the back foot and pulled Barry Cairns through mid-wicket for another four and took his score on to eighty.
"There we go boys go chase that one and Cairns I told you, you bowl pies and a pile of crap" said Clinton
"Hay Radford, how much to shag your missus, I have heard she is a good shag" Hugh Price stood at second slip said
"Hay Price, you could not afford it mate she is well out of your league and I have heard your missus prefers woman rather than me" Clinton replied back
"YOU WHAT" shouted Hugh Price as he walked toward Clinton
"Hay Price if you can’t take it don’t give it out, stick’s and stone’s dear boy, stick’s and stone’s" Clinton reputed back at Hugh Price with a chuckle
Hugh Price walked up to Clinton and stuck his nose straight into Clinton’s face and stared straight into his eyes and said "Just you be careful Pommie"
"Listen Price, you dish it out and bring my Beautiful partner Isabella it to who I must say is far better looking and your other half who I have heard could scare a Lion" replied Clinton
With that Hugh Price pushed Clinton to the ground and said "Come on Radford, come on let’s see how big and hard you really are; I will knock you from here to kingdom come, come on"
Clinton looked up at him and smiled as three of the Australians pulled Hugh Price back and told him to get on with the game.
"Well Geoffrey I have never seen anything like that before on the cricket field, Hugh Price seemed to man handle Clinton Radford" Mark Nicholas commented
"Yes but I bet there were a few word said between them but it all seems to have dies down now, Barry Cairns is ready to bowl again" Geoffrey Boycott commented
Barry Cairns again came running in and this time he bowled a slower off spinning delivery to Clinton and he did not read it and was bowled middle stump for a fine a effortless eighty and the jubilation of the Australians could be seen for all to see as Clinton walked back to the pavilion he got rapturous round of applause and as he was holding his bat up to the crowd on his way off one of the Australians shouted out to "RADFORD YOU WERE LUCKY BUT WE HAVE GOT YOUR NUMBER AND WE WILL SEE YOU WHEN WE BAT AND SEE IF YOU ARE AS GOOD WITH THE BALL AS THEY SAY YOU ARE, I AM GOING TO SMACK YOU FROM HERE TO KINGDOM COME"
"YES RADFORD JUST WAIT TILL WE BAT" another shouted out.
"Well Alec that is a shame that Clinton Radford is out as he was stroking the ball to all parts beautifully and with some elegance as well especially the through the covers" Michael Vaughan commented
"Yes Michael he was graceful through there, everything right head over the ball, front knee bent into the ball and playing late, yet he played a couple of them and had the habit of splitting the fielders by just angling the bat slightly as to guide it through the field, myself I think England have unearthed a star here" Alec Stewart replied
England were eventually bowled out for two hundred and twenty with Clinton top scoring with eighty and the next highest score was Harry Graham with fifty six not out, as England came out to bowl the rain started to come and ten over’s were lost and Australia only had to chase down a score of one hundred and seventy five in forty over’s at a run rate of four point three per over and set about the task they did and had raced to sixty five for nought of ten over’s when it was announced to the crowd that Clinton was about to bowl his first ball in international cricket and he was to bowl to Graham Harries and had set a five, four off side field and it was time for his first ball.
"Right then we have Clinton Radford coming on to bowl his first ball in international cricket to Graham Harries, so here we go and In he comes and what good ball to start with that pitch just outside off stump and Harries had to smother the spin, a very good start Michael" Mark Nicholas commented
"Yes Mark he gave it some air and allowed the ball a chance to grip and turn, ah what a ball that is Harries is out, a great catch there at slip by Chris Bradford and that one not only turned but it bounced as well" Michael Vaughan replied to Mark Nicholas
"Yes Michael that one caught us all by surprise, as we can see here on the replay it not only bounced, he put a bit of loop and it swerved into the batsman and I think that is what surprised him, yes the bounce had a bit to do with it but the swerve into him as well, well bowled Clinton Radford second ball in international cricket and a wicket" Mark Nicholas replied
As the Australian innings went on Clinton would pick up the wickets of James Morgan bowled, Barry Cairns caught in the deep by Phil Howe trying to hit him out of the ground and the wicket of Colin Bradshaw again caught at slip by Chris Bradford, he would end up with bowling figure of seven over’s no maidens and four wickets for thirty three runs and to top it all off he would take the match winning catch, catching Rob Francis off the bowling of Craig Matthews.
"So what an international debut for Clinton Radford quite rightly made man of the match for his delightful eight runs and bowling figures of four for thirty three and we have the man with us now" Mark Nicholas said
"So then what a debut for you and a bit of a coming together with the old enemy, wait sorry Clinton I have to go to the news room we have some breaking new from here of all places, over to you Michael" Mark Nicholas pashed over to Michael Vaughan in the commentary box
"Yes Mark big news coming from the England Squad David Miller England Captain and Terry Franklin the England wicket keeper have both been suspended and have been arrested by police from Scotland Yard on suspicion of conspiracy to fix cricket matches, this comes after a report in The London Evening Standard tonight in which a book was produced to the paper with both their names in and that of other high profile sports stars name of which have not yet been released and just coming to us now Australian players Hugh Price and Brad Cousins have also been arrested and are at this moment on their way all four of them to Scotland Yard at this moment to be questioned over these matters, more to follow back to you Mark" Said Michael Vaughan
"Well out interview with Clinton Radford has had to be cancelled as the England Management would like all players back in the changing rooms straight away, we will try and get some more information as the evening goes on, but for now that is the end of our broadcast here were England have beaten Australia by fifteen runs and a new star by the name of Clinton Radford has been born, but the big news is that four players David Miller and Terry Franklin from England and Hugh Price and Brad Cousins have all been arrested and taken for questioning over match fixing allegations, I am sure there will be more to come on this story and we will bring it to you as we get it but for now goodbye" Mark Nicholas said looking into the camera with a look of shock on his face at what had just come out
Anthony Collins, James Radford and Oliver Kennedy were sat in Bar in Scotland having a good laugh at the news that had just broken at the end of the cricket
Oliver Kennedy held up his pint and said "The end of the boss is coming"
Anthony Collins and James Radford looked at him and James Radford said "Go plan sending the book to the paper if only Georgia knew what she had, nothing"
"Well my friend that is where you are wrong, the book we sent to the paper was to smoke the boss out and the real book is in the safety deposit box at Georgia Thompson’s bank and that is what will bring the boss down in the not too distant future" replied Oliver Kennedy
At the Thompson house there was a look of shock and horror on Georgia’s face at the news that had just been broke at the cricket but the full extent of this would not come to light for a while yet and it would be someone close to her who would be the person to expose the boss for who he really was, but for now she just had to keep a calm head and get on with life as her life would be too short to worry about
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