Although details are hazy, latest reports to hand are that the Captaincy challenge instigated by Vice Captain Tim Sutherland are all but over after what can only be described as a shock defeat at the hands of Birkenhead last Saturday. In what should have been another walk over for the reigning 4a Champions, Mainstream crumbled to 193 all out on a slow and inconsistent pitch. The only real highlights to the batting effort were another sterling batting performance by the McClean brothers and Smitty getting bowled for the third time in as many games.
Sutherland

 

With dubious fielding and bowling selections as well as “go slow” tactics employed by the fill in skipper, some Mainstream players were heard saying the captaincy decisions reflected the style of batting employed by the skipper - Sleep inducing (13 runs from 10 overs is testament to this) – this sleep inducing cricket was probably the reason for the dropped catch from the younger McClean in covers.

 

Unable to contain himself with this newly found control over the team, Sutherland not only took 25% of the allotted batting time to try and bore the opposition into submission, he also gave himself 8 overs at the bowling crease. Considering these overs went unrewarded it smacked of self-indulgence.

 

Rumors going around at the moment suggest there was a deliberate ploy by two unnamed senior players (Who both scored ducks) to undermine the batting performance to make the fill-in captain look bad – We must stress these rumors are unsubstantiated, but as in all conspiracy theories, where there is smoke – there is fire.

Threw his wicket away??

the other unnamed player suspected of revolting against Sutherland

 Whatever the cause of this shock defeat, the calls for heads to roll are growing ever louder and if ever Sutherland is handed the reins again in a real match situation, it could be the last time you see a number of players ever donning the Mainstream colours again

NZPA
additional reporting Reuters