The latest opponents on our successful foray back into Sunday cricket, were Chelsfield Park – a lovely bunch from up Sevenoaks way. A quick captainly discussion had our teams at probably about evens, so we tossed, and they batted.
Worth mentioning that for about the first time this season, we had ALL our team arrive at the agreed meet time. This was helped by four members of the team having to move precisely one step from their respective back gardens to be considered ‘arrived’, but better now than never!
Amir and Omar opened up brilliantly again (yawn) hoping to emulate their league successes. After Amir’s first ball got boshed for a one bounce four, he settled into a very dangerous line and length, eventually bowling their opener and having their number three caught well by Tristan. Both openers only went for seven runs each from their four overs. Economical af.
Freddie then bowled very dangerously (when it wasn’t halfway down the pitch or halfway up the batsman’s chestguard) but somehow didn’t pick up a reward. Neither did the returning (and tanned) Plunks who only went for nine runs himself. The damage was done by the wile of Yaz and Anthony. A bowling partnership of 7-43 wiped out their middle order, helped by some excellent catching all round. Anthony bowled fabulously with control, finishing with 5-19 and three catches. Riotous.
More bowling from (the equally tanned) Ollie Plunkett, Ejas and Freddie wrapped up the final wicket, and we eventually had a competitive Sunday total to chase: 144.
Spokes opened the batting with the hope of eventually getting some runs into his new(ish) bat. He started rustily, late cutting through first slip on a couple of occasions but settled down quickly. His opening partner, Tristan, looked solid before having to depart. Ejas up next, showcased some of his trademark power with some crystal clean ball striking and a massive six, before spooning one to cover.
Plunks and Omar were the next two in, both looking like exemplary run-scoring machines. Will smoked several boundaries through the offside off both the front and the back foot, whilst Omar looked solid in defence and extraordinarily quick onto the short ball to pull loose deliveries for four. But both fell, Will for 13 and Omar for (a personal best) 28.
I then made the masterful decision to retire Spokes at the drinks break on 71. An exhibition in stokeplay and timing, he dominated the bowling attack in both defence and attack, much to the delight of his travelling contingent of fans. With Ben gone, 30 to win. Unfortunately, a quick flurry of Yaz, Amir and Greenway wickets then had Ollie and I scrambling for pads. Freddie then confidently pushed his first ball into the covers, set off for a run, and was quite hilariously run out by about half a pitch. I’ve failed to call him a dck for his batting in previous match reports when he’s deserved it much more, but it just about applies here as well!
Myself and Ollie found ourselves with 10 runs to get with no-one behind us. Luckily, I had spent most of yesterday finally getting my eye in, and we wrapped up the innings quickly enough. Another exemplary Sunday cricket afternoon resulting in a one wicket victory, and full team attendance to the pub afterwards. Rollicking stuff.
Scorecard: https://speldhurst.play-cricket.com/website/results/6050647
Speldhurst Cricket Club 