I am updating my best-selling book Favourite Cricket Yarns for a later-in-2016 release. One of the newbies included is this one:

In 2016 in New Zealand David Beames (pictured with Allan Border and me) was one of our Australian Cricket Society Test match travellers who shared many a yarn from his considerable playing career with North Melbourne and the Victorian second XI in the ‘70s. It was annual North Footballers v Cricketers challenge match and ex-international Ray ‘Slug’ Jordon was opening the innings for the Footballers to calls from Beames’ mates to bounce the little prick. Choosing his longest run-up Beames bounded in and with all his gusto ‘bowled’ without actually delivering the ball. Wicketkeeper Ian Maddocks had smuggled another ball onto the ground and after a perplexed Jordon fanned the air, Maddocks gleefully threw the ball into the air claiming the ‘catch’. ‘Geez,’ said Jordon. ‘That was quick!’ All and sundry yelled ‘Howzzaaatttt’. Jack Collins was umpiring and shaking his head said: ‘Sorry lads, I didn’t see it!’