One of the best and most memorable episodes.
Martin greets the new cricket season with enthusiasm, but the edge is soon taken off of this for him when Paul offers himself to the team and Ann helps sell by suggesting that the former Cambridge Blue might get his team promotion to play some impressive industrial names.
Martin is against it - for all the wrong reasons - and declines Paul's offer on the basis that he cannot let down longstanding team members by dropping one.
However, when Paul gives the team catching practice before the match and one member injures his finger, Paul is drafted in at short notice.
The opposing team run up an imposing total and though Martin deliberately drops Paul down the order, Martin is obliged to send Paul in when Martin is incorrectly given out by umpire Lawrence.
Paul strides in and while Howard holds at at one end, Paul plays a brilliant innings to win the match.
Back in the pavilion, everyone on Martin's team is jolly - except Martin. Even Howard exalts over his winning stand with Paul, so much larger than the record stand of 17 he held with Martin.
Martin sits alone with Ann, downhearted. He contemplates starting a piano singsong. Then the opposing skipper comes in to announce his team are heading home early. Martin has maintained a good relationship with him previously, so he is surprised. The opposition skipper accuses him of playing a 'ringer' in a league for amateur cricket triers and of cheating.
Martin is devastated. He didn't want to play Paul at all (but he didn't identify the correct reason as the opposition skipper did).
Just to finish things off, somebody else starts playing piano- and playing it well. Ann confirms - yes, it's Paul...
Martin greets the new cricket season with enthusiasm, but the edge is soon taken off of this for him when Paul offers himself to the team and Ann helps sell by suggesting that the former Cambridge Blue might get his team promotion to play some impressive industrial names.
Martin is against it - for all the wrong reasons - and declines Paul's offer on the basis that he cannot let down longstanding team members by dropping one.
However, when Paul gives the team catching practice before the match and one member injures his finger, Paul is drafted in at short notice.
The opposing team run up an imposing total and though Martin deliberately drops Paul down the order, Martin is obliged to send Paul in when Martin is incorrectly given out by umpire Lawrence.
Paul strides in and while Howard holds at at one end, Paul plays a brilliant innings to win the match.
Back in the pavilion, everyone on Martin's team is jolly - except Martin. Even Howard exalts over his winning stand with Paul, so much larger than the record stand of 17 he held with Martin.
Martin sits alone with Ann, downhearted. He contemplates starting a piano singsong. Then the opposing skipper comes in to announce his team are heading home early. Martin has maintained a good relationship with him previously, so he is surprised. The opposition skipper accuses him of playing a 'ringer' in a league for amateur cricket triers and of cheating.
Martin is devastated. He didn't want to play Paul at all (but he didn't identify the correct reason as the opposition skipper did).
Just to finish things off, somebody else starts playing piano- and playing it well. Ann confirms - yes, it's Paul...
