Midsomer Murders

And that's another six for Leo Henderson.

Lower Pampling Panthers are now 94 for 3.

Leo is batting like a god.

Another boundary there!

- He's going to win the game! - Don't curse it.

Panthers are at 98 for 3.

He needs to score a four or they're out.

Do you think he'll do it?

Badger's Drift have bowled well today

but the Panthers' star batsman has hit them all over the park.

And the Panthers have done it! Congratulations to Lower Pampling.

They meet Morton Shallows Sharks in the mid-week semi-final.

Well done! Jolly good show!

Today's man of the match is of course Leo Henderson!

Leo! Leo!

Thank you all for coming today for this, the first ever

Midsomer County Premier League C-10 Slam!

Yes!

Charity buckets are at the exits.

Please give generously to the Causton Heroes Benevolent Fund.

What the hell were you playing at?

What are you doing here?

Have you come to tell me how great I am?

Well, what is it?

Ladies and gentlemen...

Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats.

Play will resume as soon as possible.

This way, sir.

Leo Henderson. Local quantity surveyor

and captain of the Lower Pampling Panthers.

His team just made it through

to the semi-finals of the Midsomer C-10 Slam.

C-10?

It's a ten-overs-a-side game. Originated in Australia.

It's staged all week culminating in a grand final on Sunday.

And what do the winners get?

A chance to play in the bigger, prestigious Australian version.

Sounds like a prize worth winning.

Anything on time of death?

He died less than an hour ago apparently.

That was turned up to maximum.

20 rock-hard balls were bowled at top speed straight at him.

If at first you don't succeed...

John?

Sarah?

I need to get my sixth-formers back to school.

This is an odd history lesson.

I don't suppose you picked up on anything?

No. I was too busy enjoying the game.

Although I could tell it wasn't everyone's cup of tea.

A fair few didn't stay till the end.

Do you know who it is yet?

Leo Henderson.

Oh, no, that's awful.

You know him?

Well, he single-handedly won the match for Lower Pampling.

Right, I'll see you later.

Will she be going on the incident board, sir?

Who found the body?

He's over here.

Lower Pampling's 12th man.

He said he went in to put some things away.

One Jack Morris.

I wonder if I might have a word, Mr M...

.. Morris?

Call me Jack.

Winter, talk to... the team manager and Leo's teammates.

See if there was any friction out there on the field.

And afterwards talk to his wife.

Establish whether he had any enemies outside cricket.

Now would be good.

Yes, sir.

Would you like to come with me, sir?

I really don't know.

Leo played a blinder

but apart from a bit of sledging,

Badger's Drift took the defeat well.

I'm sorry. Wade McMaster. I'm the team manager.

Just trying to establish if anything went on

between the teams after the game.

Obviously, no-one likes to lose but it would be pretty extreme.

There wasn't any animosity?

No, this may be a different version of cricket

but the core values remain the same.

A game played by gentlemen.

Leo was a big influence on the team.

I don't know how we'll recover from this.

This is different.

Just a little.

Jack Morris?

My old games master at school, taught me cricket.

When you found Mr Henderson, did you touch anything?

I'm sure you know me better than that.

I thought I did... Mr Morris.

New interview room? I like it.

Would you prefer to go to the station?

You know I'm not involved. All I did was find the body.

Why are you here, Jones?

Tricky question.

And you know I'd tell you if I could.

You turn up in Midsomer and you don't think to get in contact?

- It's awkward. - Because you're working?

All I'm doing is renting a room off a distant family friend.

Whatever it is you're really up to,

it can't get in the way of my investigation.

I'm just here to take in some cricket.

Hopefully get a game if I can.

We both know you're here for more than that.

But this murder takes priority at all times.

And if you come across anything connected to it,

you have to tell me.

Sure.

Thank you.

I know this is difficult, Mrs Henderson,

but I do need to ask you just a few more questions.

Only, we are treating this as a suspicious death.

Oh, my God.

Did you have much contact with Leo after he won the match?

Erm...

N-No.

He was with his teammates. I was in the members' area.

Can you think of anyone that disliked him?

I'm not sure there was anything to dislike.

Thank you for your time.

Can I see Mel?

Sorry. I'm Serena Luthando.

We've been friends since we were kids.

I think she'd appreciate that. I know you've given a statement

but can you think of anyone that held a grudge against Leo?

Well, I know half the village are up in arms about C-10.

There were even threats sent to Leo and Elliot, my husband.

- What sort of threats? - Just emails.

We didn't tell Mel. We didn't see the point in worrying her.

OK. Thank you.

Oh, Mel, I'm so sorry!

I'm so, so sorry.

I could use a drink.

Yeah, I think we all could.

Kia's over there.

I'll bring the drinks over. On the house.

Just so you know, Fitz. You're out.

What? I kept my end of the bargain. You saw that.

- I can't believe what's happened. - Yeah.

Are you OK?

SOCO dusted the bowling machine for prints.

Nothing, wiped clean.

Also his wife and teammates all check out.

I'm hoping you had better luck with Jack Morris.

His alibi checks out, Jones.

I'm Winter, sir.

Let's see what Mr Luthando can tell us.

This C-10 competition has clearly upset someone.

What did they send to Leo Henderson?

It was pretty basic. It just said, "You're a disgrace."

And that was mailed from the same account?

Yeah, it was.

Thank you.

I thought it was just nonsense.

I'll get Tech to take a look at it.

Tell me, Mr Luthando, how did you get involved in C-10?

Ah.

I saw it in Australia. I bought the franchise.

There's never been anything like this in Midsomer.

The healthy crowd suggests it's going to be popular.

And it doesn't eat into your life

like five days of dreary test cricket.

Some would argue that the beauty of cricket is its gentle pace.

Excuse me.

You're kidding.

Not today?

- Mr Luthando? - Unbelievable.

A referendum. To try and ban the C-10 Slam.

The council are asking the entire village to vote on it.

Who runs the council?

Two dinosaurs, Germaine Troughton and St John Beachwood.

Would that be the same Germaine Troughton

who used to captain England Ladies?

Mm.

As the old girl lives and almost breathes.

She's against C-10, I take it?

Want to know who sent these threats? I'd start with her.

Mm.

- Mr Morris. - Hello.

Again.

What can I help with now?

We're actually looking for Germaine Troughton,

who I presume is the distant family friend you mentioned.

That, she is.

I was just nipping out, so... I'll tell her you're here.

Him again.

I'll be back later.

Do try hanging your jacket up when you get back.

It's what the hooks are for.

Will you come this way?

Tell me, Mrs Troughton, do you know anything about these?

Absolutely not. Who were they addressed to?

Elliot Luthando.

But, more importantly, one went to Leo Henderson.

We heard you were very much against the C-10.

And I told Elliot and Leo to their faces