Cryptics - 213 all out

Stragglers of Asia - 195 all out

Cryptics win by 18 runs

The beautiful Ascott Park in Buckinghamshire was bathed in glorious sunshine all day long for the annual game against the Stragglers of Asia. The Cryptics won the toss and elected bat first, setting about their work in steady fashion against some accurate medium pace bowling. Andrew McCulla, batting at number 2, got things off to a good start scoring 50 before falling victim to a little bat/pad catch. Guests Josh Sivia and Johnny Gifford added 25 and 44 respectively before a swashbuckling 45 from Tom Andrews saw the Cryptics put on 213 before being bowled out in the 49th over of their innings.
The Stragglers’ reply started off in shaky fashion when their opener fell to an LBW decision off the bowling of Gifford before numbers 2 and 3 scored 45 and 41 to rebuild things as they etched away at the Cryptics’ total. Wickets continued to fall, however, and a Cryptics victory looked nailed on before an obstinate 47 from the Stragglers’ number 7 threatened to spoil the day. Deep into the last 20 overs, which were scheduled from half-past-five in this match, the two final wickets remained to be taken. A non-cricketing Scotsman had somehow been drafted into the Cryptics’ ranks, and when he dropped a catch late on the writing appeared to be on the wall. In response, the skipper brought back two of the quicker bowlers on offer and the two final wickets fell to leave the Stragglers all out for 195 with Tom Andrews, Johnny Gifford and Josh Sivia taking 3 wickets each. A close game played in the right spirit, which ended in the right result for the Cryptics.