The Test
Encyclopedia
The Test is the tenth episode of the fourth series of the British
comedy series Dad's Army
that was originally transmitted on Friday 27 November 1970.
are challenged to a cricket match by the ARP
Wardens - who have recruited a top-class bowler to their ranks.
is holding a parade
, and complains about the lack of attendance at last Sunday's church parade. Walker
admits he couldn't come because he was delivering some knicker elastic to a group of ATS
girls. Mainwaring wonders why he couldn't have waited until after the parade, and Walker says that he could, but they couldn't! Mainwaring then moves on to commenting on the length of Pike
and Wilson
's hair, and suggest they get it cut - they "aren't violin players".
Mainwaring produces a letter given to him by Chief Warden Hodges, and announces that he's challenged them to a game of cricket. The platoon readily accept. Mainwaring announces he is an opening batsman, Wilson is the captain of the local cricket club, and Jones
volunteers to keep wicket
with a particularly long anecdote on an occasion when he stumped Ranjitsinhji. Walker tells Mainwaring he can lay his hand on a couple of reconditioned cricket balls, and in typically autocratic fashion, Mainwaring decides that he will captain the side.
The next evening, they get the nets out, and have a practice. Pike's bowling efforts are continually interrupted by Mainwaring, who is typically full of advice, although he is highly unsuccessful when he tries to demonstrate: his bowling is repeatedly hit, and after a long lecture on batting technique he is bowled by the first ball he faces from Pike. Godfrey
reveals that he used to play cricket for the Civil Service Stores when he was younger. Jones arrive late, and when he bats, the ball ends up smashing a church window.
On Saturday, at the cricket changing rooms, Hodges is keen to introduce E.C. Egan (played by Fred Trueman
), a world-class professional fast bowler, to Gerald, one of his ARP Wardens. He tells them that he won't tell Mainwaring until he bats. Hodges produces an ARP application form for Egan to sign, to make it legal. When Egan asks what to do if the siren goes off, Hodges replies "Resign".
The platoon arrive, with Wilson wearing a yellow, blue and brown striped blazer, Frazer in his funeral attire, Godfrey in the panama hat he wears for bowls, and Pike wearing his bank clothes. Mainwaring is shocked, and lends Pike his spare cricketing trousers.
Hodges reappears, and asks Mainwaring to toss the coin to see who's batting first, but Mainwaring insists on getting the umpires, the Vicar and the Verger, to do it. Mainwaring calls heads, and it's tails. The platoon are fielding first.
Hodges and Gerald open the batting for the Wardens, and Mainwaring bowls the first over, insisting that Pike field close in at silly mid-off despite Hodges' threat that he'll "get his head bashed in". They don't start well, with Jones continually knocking the stumps out, forcing the Vicar to bang them in again and again. When Hodges finally gets a chance to hit the ball, he finds Mainwaring's bowling singularly unthreatening, his first two hits being a leg-side four and a straight six. After a horrendous wide, the Verger no-balls Mainwaring, deciding that his attempted googly
is a chuck
. When Mainwaring disputes this, the Verger books Mainwaring for gross impertinence and sarcasm, and then threatens to send him off, as would happen in football. Then Hodges sends a big hit towards Godfrey, who tries unsuccessfully to catch it, and loses it in the long grass. While the platoon are searching for it, Hodges and Gerald keep running. When Walker produces a second cricket ball and they rush back, Hodges and Gerald have taken 24 runs. However, the platoon manage to take four wickets, with Jones' efforts behind the wicket finally being rewarded when he takes a stumping off a flighted ball from Pike, prompting Jones' typical "Don't Panic"-style celebration.
Hodges declares with the Wardens 151 for 4 at tea, so the platoon are now batting. Mainwaring opens the batting with Wilson. Hodges, who is keeping wicket, is keen to see Egan in action, and remarks over and over again that he's going to enjoy this. As Mainwaring prepares to bat, Egan walks down to the far end of the field. Mainwaring is confused, until Hodges gleefully informs him that the ball comes flying out of his hand at 95 mph! Egan charges towards Mainwaring, and delivers a ball which causes Mainwaring to dive to the floor, much to Hodges' delight.
However, the throw has pulled Egan's shoulder, and he goes off, injured. The platoon now have a chance. Mainwaring does well, until the Verger gives him out LBW
. Pike is bowled first ball
due to his inattention, but Jones, Walker and Frazer all contribute (although Frazer apparently has no knowledge of the game). Meanwhile, Wilson holds the innings together, scoring 81 runs. Eventually, Godfrey is the only one left to bat, and they only need five more runs to win. Fortunately, Wilson is still in at the other end.
Frazer thinks that Godfrey will be out first ball. However, everyone is surprised when he hits it, and they start to run; Godfrey drops his bat, but with Wilson's help he retrieves it and makes it back to the crease. Godfrey hits his next ball, bowled by Hodges, over square leg, and Mainwaring is delighted to see that it's going to be a six, meaning that the platoon have won. Hodges comments that he should never have declared. Mainwaring reminds him that they'll be ready for anything, whether it comes from the wardens or the Nazis. As they cheer the wardens, and Godfrey and Wilson, the siren goes, and the platoon take up their positions.
From what is seen on screen it can be deduced that the platoon members scored the following runs:-
s and some bail
s. Godfrey will also play as long he does not have to walk about too much or be too far from the pavilion
. Frazer says he not too sure of the rules but will play. Mainwaring decides to accept the challenge and appoints himself Captain.
The Home Guard men begin a practice session with Mainwaring giving them the benefit of his wisdom - but is immediately bowled out
by Pike. His bowling is just as bad with Jones scoring a six
of one of his deliveries.
Meanwhile, Hodges appoints a famous bowler, G. C. Egan, as a temporary ARW warden so that he can play on their team. When Egan asks what he should do if the siren goes off, Hodges tells him he should resign.
Walker present two cricket balls to Mainwaring and asks for the sum of three pounds each. Mainwaring says to him that he would sell his own grandmother, but the Private retorts that there is market for her.
The troop turn up to the match, with some of then men wearing unsuitable cricketing clothes. Godfrey turns up in a panama hat
, Frazer is his funereal garb, Wilson in a brightly coloured blazer and Pike in grey flannels.
The vicar and the verger are to officiate the game as umpires. The vicar tosses a coin to determine who goes first and Mainwaring calls heads, but it turns out tails. Hodges decides to bat first.
Mainwaring assigns the men to their fielding
positions: Frazer and Walker, first and second slips, Wilson mid-on, Jones wicket-keeper
, Godfrey deep-cover (conveniently close to the pavilion), Pike silly mid-on. Pike thought it might be an insult but Wilson reassures him that is the proper name.
Hodges is first up to bat and taunts Jones as 'Granddad', but he replies that he will soon whip his bails off, and Pike telling him not too stand to close as he'll get his head bashed in. Mainwaring bowls a wide
. His next shot his hit for a four. Jones knocks over the bails annoying the vicar who has put it back up. Mainwaring attempts a googly
, but it is given no ball
by the verger. The verger tells him not to argue, or he will send him off. Mainwaring attempts a spin bowl
, but Hodges hits for four again. Another hit sends the ball heading for Godfrey who fails to catch hit. Hodges starts to run, and turns out that Godfrey has lost the ball. When Hodges reaches 27 runs, Mainwaring buys another black market ball from Walker.
At tea, Hodges' team is at 154 for 4 and he declares. Jones is disappointed that he can't continue to be the wicket-keeper as he was just getting the hang of it. Egan tells Hodges he can bowl Mainwaring's team out in about four overs.
Mainwaring opens the batting with Wilson. Hodges is the wicket-keeper. Egan bowls a fast ball causing Mainwaring to fall over. However, Egan dislocates his shoulder and has to leave the field, and one of the wardens replaces him. Wilson bats well, but Mainwaring is bowled out LBW
for 3 runs. Pike replaces him, but struggles to bat and hold up his trousers. Wilson on the other hand racks up 81. The total is 147 for 9, and Godfrey is in. Hodges bowls to Godfrey who actually manages to hit it and runs. Godfrey manages to hit again, this time for six, winning the game.
Hodges tells him didn't really win as he shouldn't have declared, but Mainwaring reminds him that he did. Hodges tells him to wait for the football season, and Mainwaring tells him not to import professionals who don't break their legs...
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comedy series Dad's Army
Dad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
that was originally transmitted on Friday 27 November 1970.
Synopsis
The platoonPlatoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
are challenged to a cricket match by the ARP
Air Raid Precautions
Air Raid Precautions was an organisation in the United Kingdom set up as an aid in the prelude to the Second World War dedicated to the protection of civilians from the danger of air-raids. It was created in 1924 as a response to the fears about the growing threat from the development of bomber...
Wardens - who have recruited a top-class bowler to their ranks.
Plot
MainwaringCaptain George Mainwaring
Captain George Mainwaring is the bank manager and Home Guard platoon commander portrayed by Arthur Lowe on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army, set in the fictional seaside town of Walmington-on-Sea during the Second World War...
is holding a parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
, and complains about the lack of attendance at last Sunday's church parade. Walker
Private Joe Walker
Private Joe Walker is a fictional black market spiv and Home Guard platoon member portrayed by actor James Beck on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army. James Beck died suddenly in 1973, and is featured in just under three-quarters of the episodes...
admits he couldn't come because he was delivering some knicker elastic to a group of ATS
Auxiliary Territorial Service
The Auxiliary Territorial Service was the women's branch of the British Army during the Second World War...
girls. Mainwaring wonders why he couldn't have waited until after the parade, and Walker says that he could, but they couldn't! Mainwaring then moves on to commenting on the length of Pike
Private Frank Pike
Private Frank Pike is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and junior bank clerk portrayed by Ian Lavender in the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army. He is frequently referred to by Captain Mainwaring as "stupid boy".- Personality :...
and Wilson
Sergeant Arthur Wilson
Sergeant The Honourable Arthur Wilson is a fictional Home Guard platoon sergeant and bank clerk portrayed by John Le Mesurier on the BBC television situation comedy Dad's Army....
's hair, and suggest they get it cut - they "aren't violin players".
Mainwaring produces a letter given to him by Chief Warden Hodges, and announces that he's challenged them to a game of cricket. The platoon readily accept. Mainwaring announces he is an opening batsman, Wilson is the captain of the local cricket club, and Jones
Lance-Corporal Jack Jones
Lance Corporal Jack Jones is a fictional Home Guard platoon lance-corporal, veteran of the British Empire and butcher portrayed by Clive Dunn in the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army...
volunteers to keep wicket
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
with a particularly long anecdote on an occasion when he stumped Ranjitsinhji. Walker tells Mainwaring he can lay his hand on a couple of reconditioned cricket balls, and in typically autocratic fashion, Mainwaring decides that he will captain the side.
The next evening, they get the nets out, and have a practice. Pike's bowling efforts are continually interrupted by Mainwaring, who is typically full of advice, although he is highly unsuccessful when he tries to demonstrate: his bowling is repeatedly hit, and after a long lecture on batting technique he is bowled by the first ball he faces from Pike. Godfrey
Private Charles Godfrey
For the American football player see Charles Godfrey Private Charles Godfrey MM is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and retired shop assistant portrayed by Arnold Ridley on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army.-Personality:Godfrey is a gentle, mild-mannered and kindly - though more complex...
reveals that he used to play cricket for the Civil Service Stores when he was younger. Jones arrive late, and when he bats, the ball ends up smashing a church window.
On Saturday, at the cricket changing rooms, Hodges is keen to introduce E.C. Egan (played by Fred Trueman
Fred Trueman
Frederick Sewards Trueman OBE was an English cricketer, generally acknowledged as one of the greatest fast bowlers in history. A bowler of genuinely fast pace who was widely known as Fiery Fred, Trueman played first-class cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 1949 until he retired in 1968...
), a world-class professional fast bowler, to Gerald, one of his ARP Wardens. He tells them that he won't tell Mainwaring until he bats. Hodges produces an ARP application form for Egan to sign, to make it legal. When Egan asks what to do if the siren goes off, Hodges replies "Resign".
The platoon arrive, with Wilson wearing a yellow, blue and brown striped blazer, Frazer in his funeral attire, Godfrey in the panama hat he wears for bowls, and Pike wearing his bank clothes. Mainwaring is shocked, and lends Pike his spare cricketing trousers.
Hodges reappears, and asks Mainwaring to toss the coin to see who's batting first, but Mainwaring insists on getting the umpires, the Vicar and the Verger, to do it. Mainwaring calls heads, and it's tails. The platoon are fielding first.
Hodges and Gerald open the batting for the Wardens, and Mainwaring bowls the first over, insisting that Pike field close in at silly mid-off despite Hodges' threat that he'll "get his head bashed in". They don't start well, with Jones continually knocking the stumps out, forcing the Vicar to bang them in again and again. When Hodges finally gets a chance to hit the ball, he finds Mainwaring's bowling singularly unthreatening, his first two hits being a leg-side four and a straight six. After a horrendous wide, the Verger no-balls Mainwaring, deciding that his attempted googly
Googly
In cricket, a googly is a type of delivery bowled by a right-arm leg spin bowler. It is occasionally referred to as a Bosie , an eponym in honour of its inventor Bernard Bosanquet.- Explanation :...
is a chuck
Throwing (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, throwing, commonly referred to as chucking, is an illegal bowling action which occurs when a bowler straightens their arm when delivering the ball. The Laws of Cricket specify that a bowler's arm must be fully extended and rotated about the shoulder to impart velocity to...
. When Mainwaring disputes this, the Verger books Mainwaring for gross impertinence and sarcasm, and then threatens to send him off, as would happen in football. Then Hodges sends a big hit towards Godfrey, who tries unsuccessfully to catch it, and loses it in the long grass. While the platoon are searching for it, Hodges and Gerald keep running. When Walker produces a second cricket ball and they rush back, Hodges and Gerald have taken 24 runs. However, the platoon manage to take four wickets, with Jones' efforts behind the wicket finally being rewarded when he takes a stumping off a flighted ball from Pike, prompting Jones' typical "Don't Panic"-style celebration.
Hodges declares with the Wardens 151 for 4 at tea, so the platoon are now batting. Mainwaring opens the batting with Wilson. Hodges, who is keeping wicket, is keen to see Egan in action, and remarks over and over again that he's going to enjoy this. As Mainwaring prepares to bat, Egan walks down to the far end of the field. Mainwaring is confused, until Hodges gleefully informs him that the ball comes flying out of his hand at 95 mph! Egan charges towards Mainwaring, and delivers a ball which causes Mainwaring to dive to the floor, much to Hodges' delight.
However, the throw has pulled Egan's shoulder, and he goes off, injured. The platoon now have a chance. Mainwaring does well, until the Verger gives him out LBW
Leg before wicket
In the sport of cricket, leg before wicket is one of the ways in which a batsman can be dismissed. An umpire will rule a batsman out LBW under a series of circumstances which primarily include the ball striking the batsman's body when it would otherwise have continued on to hit the batsman's...
. Pike is bowled first ball
Duck (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a duck refers to a batsman's dismissal for a score of zero.-Origin of the term:The term is a shortening of the term "duck's egg", the latter being used long before Test cricket began...
due to his inattention, but Jones, Walker and Frazer all contribute (although Frazer apparently has no knowledge of the game). Meanwhile, Wilson holds the innings together, scoring 81 runs. Eventually, Godfrey is the only one left to bat, and they only need five more runs to win. Fortunately, Wilson is still in at the other end.
Frazer thinks that Godfrey will be out first ball. However, everyone is surprised when he hits it, and they start to run; Godfrey drops his bat, but with Wilson's help he retrieves it and makes it back to the crease. Godfrey hits his next ball, bowled by Hodges, over square leg, and Mainwaring is delighted to see that it's going to be a six, meaning that the platoon have won. Hodges comments that he should never have declared. Mainwaring reminds him that they'll be ready for anything, whether it comes from the wardens or the Nazis. As they cheer the wardens, and Godfrey and Wilson, the siren goes, and the platoon take up their positions.
Scores
The wardens score 152 for 4 wickets. The Home Guard then go on to make 156.From what is seen on screen it can be deduced that the platoon members scored the following runs:-
- Captain Mainwaring 17 (LBW)
- Sergeant Wilson 81 not out
- Private Pike 0 (Bowled)
- Lance-Corporal Jones 18 (Bowled)
- Private Frazer 7
- Private Walker 12
- Unknown
- Unknown
- Private Sponge 1 (Bowled)
- Unknown (Bowled)
- Private Godfrey 8 not out
Cast
| Cast | Characters |
|---|---|
| Arthur Lowe Arthur Lowe Arthur Lowe was a BAFTA Award winning English actor. He was best known for playing Captain George Mainwaring in the popular British sitcom Dad's Army from 1968 until 1977.-Early life:... |
Captain Mainwaring |
| John Le Mesurier John Le Mesurier John Le Mesurier was a BAFTA Award-winning English actor. He is most famous for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the popular 1970s BBC comedy Dad's Army.-Career:... |
Sergeant Wilson |
| Clive Dunn Clive Dunn Clive Robert Benjamin Dunn OBE is a retired English actor, comedian and author, best known for his role as Lance-Corporal Jack Jones in the BBC sitcom Dad's Army.-Early life:... |
Lance Corporal Jones |
| John Laurie John Laurie John Paton Laurie was a British actor born in Dumfries, Scotland. Although he is now probably most recognised for his role as Private James Frazer in the sitcom Dad's Army , he appeared in hundreds of feature films, including films by Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Powell and Laurence Olivier... |
Private Frazer |
| James Beck James Beck Stanley James Carroll Beck was a British actor best remembered for his role as Private Joe Walker, the cockney spiv in the popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army. The cast was mainly composed of older actors, but Beck was one of the younger members.-Early life:Beck was born in Islington, North London and... |
Private Walker |
| Arnold Ridley Arnold Ridley Major William Arnold Ridley, OBE was an English playwright and actor, first notable as the author of the play The Ghost Train and later in life for portraying the elderly Private Charles Godfrey in the popular British sitcom Dad's Army .-Early life:Ridley was born in Walcot, Bath, England where... |
Private Godfrey |
| Ian Lavender Ian Lavender Arthur Ian Lavender , better known as Ian Lavender, is an English stage, film and television actor, best known for his role as Private Frank Pike in the BBC comedy series Dad's Army.-Early life and career:... |
Private Pike |
| Bill Pertwee Bill Pertwee William Desmond Anthony Pertwee MBE is a British comedy actor. He is best known for playing the part of antagonist ARP Warden Hodges in the popular sitcom Dad's Army.-Early and personal life:... |
ARP Warden Hodges |
| Edward Sinclair Edward Sinclair Edward "Teddy" Sinclair was a British actor most famous for his role as the verger Maurice Yeatman in Dad's Army. He also made appearances in Z Cars and Danger Man.Edward's father was the son of a stage actor who died when he was 14... |
The Verger |
| Frank Williams Frank Williams (actor) Frank Williams is an English actor.Williams was educated at Ardingly College. He starred in The Army Game and as the Vicar in Dad's Army. In 1970, he starred in the short-lived sitcom As Good Cooks Go... |
The Vicar |
| Don Estelle Don Estelle Don Estelle was a British actor and singer.Born Donald Edwards in Crumpsall, Manchester, he was brought up in a house on Russell Street, Crumpsall. During World War II, at the age of eight, he was evacuated to Darwen, Lancashire, twenty miles away from his home town, to escape the German bombing... |
Gerald |
| Fred Trueman Fred Trueman Frederick Sewards Trueman OBE was an English cricketer, generally acknowledged as one of the greatest fast bowlers in history. A bowler of genuinely fast pace who was widely known as Fiery Fred, Trueman played first-class cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 1949 until he retired in 1968... |
E.C. Egan |
Plot
Hodges challenges Mainwaring and his troops to game of cricket. Jones volunteers to keep wicket, Pike also wants to play with Walker offering to obtain cricket ballCricket ball
A cricket ball is a hard, solid leather ball used to play cricket. Constructed of cork and leather, a cricket ball is heavily regulated by cricket law at first class level...
s and some bail
Bail (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a bail is one of the two smaller sticks placed on top of the three stumps to form a wicket. The bails are used to determine when the wicket is broken, which in turn is one of the critical factors in determining whether a batsman is out bowled, stumped, run out or hit wicket...
s. Godfrey will also play as long he does not have to walk about too much or be too far from the pavilion
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
. Frazer says he not too sure of the rules but will play. Mainwaring decides to accept the challenge and appoints himself Captain.
The Home Guard men begin a practice session with Mainwaring giving them the benefit of his wisdom - but is immediately bowled out
Bowl-out
A bowl-out is used in various forms of limited overs cricket to decide a match that would otherwise end in a tie. The procedure is similar to a penalty shootout in association football. Five bowlers from each side deliver one or two balls each at an unguarded wicket...
by Pike. His bowling is just as bad with Jones scoring a six
Boundary (cricket)
Boundary has two distinct meanings in the sport of cricket:# the edge or boundary of the playing field, and# a manner of scoring runs.-Edge of the field:...
of one of his deliveries.
Meanwhile, Hodges appoints a famous bowler, G. C. Egan, as a temporary ARW warden so that he can play on their team. When Egan asks what he should do if the siren goes off, Hodges tells him he should resign.
Walker present two cricket balls to Mainwaring and asks for the sum of three pounds each. Mainwaring says to him that he would sell his own grandmother, but the Private retorts that there is market for her.
The troop turn up to the match, with some of then men wearing unsuitable cricketing clothes. Godfrey turns up in a panama hat
Panama hat
A Panama hat is a traditional brimmed hat of Ecuadorian origin that is made from the plaited leaves of the toquilla straw plant...
, Frazer is his funereal garb, Wilson in a brightly coloured blazer and Pike in grey flannels.
The vicar and the verger are to officiate the game as umpires. The vicar tosses a coin to determine who goes first and Mainwaring calls heads, but it turns out tails. Hodges decides to bat first.
Mainwaring assigns the men to their fielding
Fielding (cricket)
Fielding in the sport of cricket is the action of fielders in collecting the ball after it is struck by the batsman, in such a way as to either limit the number of runs that the batsman scores or get the batsman out by catching the ball in flight or running the batsman out.Cricket fielding position...
positions: Frazer and Walker, first and second slips, Wilson mid-on, Jones wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
, Godfrey deep-cover (conveniently close to the pavilion), Pike silly mid-on. Pike thought it might be an insult but Wilson reassures him that is the proper name.
Hodges is first up to bat and taunts Jones as 'Granddad', but he replies that he will soon whip his bails off, and Pike telling him not too stand to close as he'll get his head bashed in. Mainwaring bowls a wide
Wide
In the sport of cricket, a wide is one of two things:* The event of a ball being delivered by a bowler too wide or high to be hit by the batsman, and ruled so by the umpire.* A run scored by the batting team as a penalty to the bowling team when this occurs....
. His next shot his hit for a four. Jones knocks over the bails annoying the vicar who has put it back up. Mainwaring attempts a googly
Googly
In cricket, a googly is a type of delivery bowled by a right-arm leg spin bowler. It is occasionally referred to as a Bosie , an eponym in honour of its inventor Bernard Bosanquet.- Explanation :...
, but it is given no ball
No ball
In the sport of cricket a no ball is a penalty against the fielding team, usually as a result of an illegal delivery by the bowler. The delivery of a no ball results in one run to be added to the batting team's score, and an additional ball must be bowled...
by the verger. The verger tells him not to argue, or he will send him off. Mainwaring attempts a spin bowl
Spin bowling
Spin bowling is a technique used for bowling in the sport of cricket. Practitioners are known as spinners or spin bowlers.-Purpose:The main aim of spin bowling is to bowl the cricket ball with rapid rotation so that when it bounces on the pitch it will deviate, thus making it difficult for the...
, but Hodges hits for four again. Another hit sends the ball heading for Godfrey who fails to catch hit. Hodges starts to run, and turns out that Godfrey has lost the ball. When Hodges reaches 27 runs, Mainwaring buys another black market ball from Walker.
At tea, Hodges' team is at 154 for 4 and he declares. Jones is disappointed that he can't continue to be the wicket-keeper as he was just getting the hang of it. Egan tells Hodges he can bowl Mainwaring's team out in about four overs.
Mainwaring opens the batting with Wilson. Hodges is the wicket-keeper. Egan bowls a fast ball causing Mainwaring to fall over. However, Egan dislocates his shoulder and has to leave the field, and one of the wardens replaces him. Wilson bats well, but Mainwaring is bowled out LBW
Leg before wicket
In the sport of cricket, leg before wicket is one of the ways in which a batsman can be dismissed. An umpire will rule a batsman out LBW under a series of circumstances which primarily include the ball striking the batsman's body when it would otherwise have continued on to hit the batsman's...
for 3 runs. Pike replaces him, but struggles to bat and hold up his trousers. Wilson on the other hand racks up 81. The total is 147 for 9, and Godfrey is in. Hodges bowls to Godfrey who actually manages to hit it and runs. Godfrey manages to hit again, this time for six, winning the game.
Hodges tells him didn't really win as he shouldn't have declared, but Mainwaring reminds him that he did. Hodges tells him to wait for the football season, and Mainwaring tells him not to import professionals who don't break their legs...
Cast
| Cast | Characters |
|---|---|
| Arthur Lowe | Captain Mainwaring |
| John Le Mesurier | Sergeant Wilson |
| Clive Dunn | Lance Corporal Jones |
| John Laurie | Private Frazer |
| Arnold Ridley | Private Godfrey |
| Ian Lavender | Private Pike |
| Bill Pertwee | Chief Warden Hodges |
| Frank Williams | The Vicar |
| Edward Sinclair | The Verger |
| Anthony Smee | G C Egan |