Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI v Radlett IV on Sat 10 May 2008 at 1.30pm
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club Won
On what must have been the hottest day of the year so far, we agreed we would bat if the toss was won. I had a nice chat at the wicket with Radlett's skipper and again, for the second week running, asked if the game could be played as the spirit of cricket suggests. I think the first thing to report is that a cracking game of cricket resulted due to both teams doing exactly that.
I also think it only fair to let a visiting side know that our wicket is a little low and a little slow and could be described as a front foot track.
We lost the toss and were inserted even though Radlett had 2 players missing. No surprise after last week there then
Tom Thoday and Darren Patel got us off to another good start, they put on 48 for the opening wicket and both looked very comfortable at the crease against the opening bowlers. I had checked into the changing room to chat with Jay about going in, I knew he was not happy with his batting last week. I found Jay ready and by his body laungage, left him alone! He was ready to bat today.
Jay batted beautifully, picking his shots off the wicket. Jay scored his first century for the club, 105 off just 74 balls but the quality of the innings was demonstrated by the simple fact, it didn't look like a quick innings. Jay was again not really supported by other batsmen who only managed to do one thing consistently and that was get themselves out. Radlett bowled well during the middle overs, stump to stump on good lengths and asked the question to our batting line up, can you change what your doing? The fall of regular wickets helped answer that question. Improvements can be seen and it will get better.
With Jon little and Julian Pawle at the crease, both looked comfortable and in control, only the lack of overs were against them and with the score on 186 off 51 overs, we declared, gaining 2 extra overs for our own bowling innings.
Our bowling was very good at times and 'first bowl' rusty at times. Batting first meant we needed wickets, 10 of them and if bowlers didnt look like they weregoing to get them, the skip changed things, even if they werent going for many runs. Wickets, wickets, wickets!
Gavin bowled well again and his speed, line and length were unplayable. Supported well from Troy the other end, they bowled well in a partenrship. Troy took two wickets from hard hitting batsmen who tried to pull short deliveries from a low and slow front foot track! In the spirit of the game, I had declared this at the start! Jay bowled a peach to get their no3 who looked like he could stay all day.
Dazzler bowled beautifully and for the second week running I was complimented on his bowling by the oppo. We seemed to have found a star in Dazzler. Bats, bowls and fields (who would have known!) Stephen Dinnes was thrown the ball and created chances in each over of his short spell and taking 2 very good wickets. Jon Pettit bowled for the first time this season and bowled well for his wicket and with no real evidence to change him. But on a hot day and wickets a must, changed he was. Keeping Radlett in the game and keeping them playing shots looked needed after they had been 57-5. Julain Pawle stepping in for Stephen Dexter looked agile in the field putting a lot of us to shame with his energy and his experience showed when he collected the ball and returned to the bowler for his run out.
Jay again tried to inspire us when things went flat and the game became close after a lovely knock by Radlett's T Sutherland (61 not out). A good couple of overs from one end by Troy and Jay but a better few overs from the other by Gavin who took the last 2 wickets, the last with only 3 balls left. No panic - its coming - keep doing what were doing!
A really good cricket match, ground looked stunning again (thanks Jules) Oppo really nice fellas and we look forward to playing them again.
Special mention to our President, Mr Ian Don for umpiring for us all day from both ends on the hottest day of the year! Thanks Ian!!
Fantasy Cricket League - last weeks man of the match was Gavin Wren for his brilliant bowling spell of 19 overs , 4 wickets for 28 runs, Dazzler was a close run second with his 4 wickets and 15 runs opening.
This week - Jay Webster - A brillaint innings and his first ton for the club. Great Knock Jay!!
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
186 for 8
Radlett IV Bowling
| Lederman |
6.0 |
0 |
27 |
0 |
0.00 |
4.50 |
| meepegama |
19.0 |
5 |
47 |
4 |
11.75 |
2.47 |
| Nanhdra |
5.0 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
0.00 |
6.00 |
| Sutherland |
3.0 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
0.00 |
5.67 |
| Hardy |
12.0 |
2 |
33 |
3 |
11.00 |
2.75 |
| Menzies |
6.0 |
1 |
29 |
1 |
29.00 |
4.83 |
Radlett IV Batting
176 for 10
| Bell |
8 |
Bowled |
| Johnson |
0 |
Lbw |
| Randall |
8 |
Bowled |
| Hardy |
8 |
Bowled |
| meepegama |
26 |
Bowled |
| sutherland |
61 |
Not Out |
| Nandhra |
2 |
Lbw |
| Wells |
24 |
Lbw |
| Mitchell |
0 |
Run out |
| Lederman |
18 |
Bowled |
| menzies |
1 |
Bowled |
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling