Despite the hot conditions, Virk H came charging in to rattle the Kings' cages, and Lees, bowling metronimically, tested the same line and length, such that wickets seemed to fall at regular intervals. Virk accounted for the Kings dangerman early on with a cracking bouncing delivery which induced the edge, but Kings accumulated steadily, if unsuccessfully. Matthews Jnr came on for his spell, ably supported by Patel, back from his “rest”, and after some early tap, they both restricted the scoring rate whilst nibbling away at the wickets down total.

Dibbly Dobbly Krunic, not used to the hot weather (does the sun not shine in Serbia?) steamed in off one pace at the end of the innings and bowled his moon balls at the lower order Kings batters, who were struggling to hold their sides together when presented with the sight of the lanky grey haired ole bloke chucking pies at them. At the other end, Matthews Snr played the game properly, bending his back to deliver some snorting seamers, whilst also seeing one go back over his own head (takes some doing, that) for a huge six by the Kings tail ender.

In strode Virk J and Paul, still with the name the wrong way around and also back after a “break”, to nibble away at the total.  Both seemed at ease, driving, pulling and nurdling the ball around and those hiding under the bench at the far end began to imagine a 10 wicket victory.

Matthews Jnr heroicaly held on end up whilst the senior pro at the other end nibbled and thwacked into the total. Sensing the run rate rising uncomfortably, Matthews Snr took a dislike to the fayre offered up by the spinner, and proceeded to loft him for 2 sixes and a four (was a six really as was dropped over the line) in the same over to more or less wrap the game up.