• Overseas, Lesiba, appears to have settled in following the arrival of some more homely weather and now returns to undoubtedly a road with the shortest boundary in the league. Could something silly happen at the courage’s today? Triple captain potential?

• Ever reliable Ollie Castell gets a promotion to the 1st XI, a flat one, short ropes and 24 degrees await. A moment of silence for my fellow Digger? But with a return to red ball cricket for the 1st team there could be a trick up his sleeve.

• Will Howard and Evan Ackerman back in the 3s looks like points points points to me, after a match winning knock in the 2s for Will and Evan an assured 1s league debut at number 4.

Frank Austin- 2019 MVP returns to the 3s line up.

In other news

– George Ballington and Jacko Newton are added to the 1st XI following a few “injuries” (it’s a long journey to Southend)

-Martin Allen sounds to be back in the 2s top order

– Sparky in the 3s dreaming of 8 overs and a top order berth to hit them high and long

-Sappo likely to force a game despite the bad weather. A home game on the Astro and a rain off last week. The last time he allowed back to back rain offs was 1978

Digging through the fantasy dirt this week has been easier, I think it must be raining above ground. Low scoring affairs likely across the board if it continues.

I hate to say I told you so but looking back at last week the 5th XI got their game, and the kids stepped up. Value to be had…

A few notable additions to the teams this week

• I have spotted the overseas on Ballington’s golf instagram, he must be out of quarantine?
• Ex 1st team skipper Kliber is around and often one for some scrappy runs in tough conditions
• The 2s opening partnership ran riot last week, making a tough chase look easy- good signs if Oakfield’s pitch makes it a shootout as many suspect
• Massie, Gautham, Spicer and Watts all in the 3s this week
• Henry Austin also getting a call up
• And settled line ups for the 4th and 5th XI this week with only a few changes

Apologies for my absence during last season, much like human kind with Covid I was facing a grave threat… THE MOLE MAN.

I have had to live an isolated life this past year (something many of you now understand). As a result I have conceded defeat in my above surface pursuits for now, however do not fear my ear remains close to the ground to keep you up to date with any Fantasy team news in 2021.

A musing of the mole

• With rain scheduled for this weekend, surely the 5th team game on the school astro wicket your safest bet for early season points?

Apologies for the digging around the container. Just couldn’t help myself. But the ground is hard at the moment so I’ll leave any more tunneling for the time being.

That hard ground favours the batters. And have you seen the short park-side boundary for the twos? A day for 2nd team batters. And the third team deck should play well.

With temperatures above ground reaching the mid 20s pick batters with some fitness. All that running singles looks like hard work to me.

I hear Lee Newton and James Borman are 12th men. So you might want to leave your transfers right up to the deadline in case there are any warm-up injuries.

I overheard that

• Karkoski out
• Ryan Plom up to the ones
• Sappo up to the twos
• George Pratt not fit
• Jack Pryor up to the threes
• Sammy Newton up to the threes
• Joel ‘Jackamo’ Ackerman and Asmat into the fours
• Imi a fitness doubt with Josh McClean set to debut

My physio contact tells me that Lee Newton and Oliver Ives are back in the mix for this coming Saturday.

Adam “Sixer” Munday also returns after a severe case of I-think-spurs-could-win-this-itis.

We expect:

Big hitting by the 2s in the nets on Monday.

Seamers skidding the ball through on Tuesday.

Colts bowlers and batters on an even footing later in week.

Green top specialists and boofers coming out on top Saturday.

How late do you dare make your transfers? The deadline is mid-day on Saturday. Transfer earlier and you might regret it. Get distracted or a bad phone signal and you might miss out altogether.

Us moles don’t really see the effect of rain until a day or so after it has soaked in. But yesterday’s flat tracks – are they being affected by the odd shower that is rolling through the Brentwood area this morning?

And what about late pull outs? Arun Gauthum withdrew early in the week to catch up on revision. Greg Larkin withdrew a bit later when he heard he’d be getting a Wanstead tea rather than Ma Larkins‘ perfick offering. Lewis Southcott and Alan Moreton come up to the thirds, with Ciaran Dunleavy coming into the 4s and Sukanda Maitra making his debut.

I hear people asking ‘Can the youngsters make it in the 4th XI’? Well, the view from the mole hill is:

• They struggled last week on a deck with balls lifting off a length.
• On Sunday the U13s won 20/20 match by an innings and 100 runs (!!)
• The sun will be baking the 3rd team deck this week.
• They’ll be up against a struggling Gidea Park and Romford.

You figure.

Asmat, Neil and Tahir are yet to take a decent haul this season. But this talpa europeda backs them to be deliver you fantasy points come Saturday.

And Cap’n Southcott – expect to see some slow brewed, (alcohol removed) flat track bullying when back on home field this weekend.