Scorecard

Stragglers of Asia v Cryptics Cricket Club on Sun 10 May 2015 at 11:30
Cryptics Cricket Club Won by 84 runs

Match report Beautiful Ascott Park on the Bucks/Beds border played host to what proved in the end to be a magnificent game of cricket that went right down to the penultimate ball.

The morning began in cloudy fashion after overnight rain, with a little early May warmth in the air: an ideal toss to win and stick the oppo in! Having called ‘Tails’, the 20p piece fell kindly for Chris Fox; yet despite the palpability of the of the conditions, he informed the opposition captain that it would in fact be the Stragglers who would take to the field first. Having only ten players (and only five actually at the ground when the coin was tossed) must have contributed to the skipper’s seemingly unorthodox decision!

The Cryptics began in sprightly fashion, with openers Jason Doole and James Pym laying sturdy foundations, both notching scores above 30 before being dismissed for 31 and 37 respectively. Mike Price initially looked good at Number 3 before being removed early on in his innings, which brought Rob Hastings to the crease. Hastings went on to provide the outstanding performance of the day with bat. A solid defensive technique when required coupled with some expansive stroke play ensured that his wicket rarely looked under threat as he compiled his innings. Always in control, the field retreated into increasingly defensive positions whenever Hastings was on strike. He was finally caught out for a magnificent 105, which included thirteen 4s and one 6. With Hastings having steered the Cryptics into a strong position, Stu Turner was able to play his expansive natural game, with 25 amassed from a few lusty blows. With time pressing and a declaration imminent, the few remaining overs allowed Tom Andrews and Alex Hutchinson play cameos that required those watching on the boundary to have their wits about them. Indeed, Hutchinson had those present looking skyward, hitting one particularly memorable 6. With 244 on the board and 6 wickets down, Fox declared the innings at 3:34pm.

By the time the Stragglers commenced their innings, conditions had improved for batting. The sun had come out and T-shirts were the order of the day. Despite this, the Cryptics took to the field in confident mood with a decent total likely to apply plenty of scoreboard pressure. Nevertheless, would just ten men in the field be sufficient to defend the total, and would time allow for ten Stragglers wickets to be taken?

Chris Fox opened the bowling and beat the bat convincingly with the first ball of the innings before trapping the batsman leg before with the second. Tom Andrews took the new ball from the other end, his extra pace causing a few hearts to quicken and a few legs to quiver. Andrews had soon removed the other opener LBW before Fox took a smart caught-and-bowled opportunity to see the back of the Stragglers captain for a duck. Three down for not very many at tea put the Cryptics in a commanding position.

Following refreshments, Rob Hastings and guest Ed Berato took over duties with the ball. Berato’s nagging line caused problems, but it was Hastings who chipped in with a couple of wickets (bowled and LBW) to leave the Stragglers staring down the barrel. Alex Hutchinson was unleashed next, his wily leg spin accounting for a caught-behind with his third ball, Nick Priestnall safely snaffling the chance with aplomb. Nevertheless, the spinner did suffer the ignominy of looking over his shoulder on a few occasions, and a number of leg side fielders were in danger of getting sunburn on the roof of their mouths as they could only watch the tiny speck of red leather disappear over their heads for 6. With J. Edwards, the Stragglers Number 7, amassing an excellent 50, the overs began to tick down one by one. Fortunately Andrews, who had been brought back with Hastings to prise a few more wickets, bowled both the aforementioned J. Edwards for 50 and the obstinate T. Bond for 19.

Yet with just two overs to go until time, and with the Stragglers on a score around 85 runs short, Fox was left wondering whether the decision to try to emulate the conservative captaincy of Andrew Strauss was correct – perhaps the declaration should have come a few overs sooner after all! As Hastings steamed in and bowled a superb over but for scant reward, the ball was thrown to Andrews who had just 6 deliveries to conjure something special. The first three deliveries caused the lower order man at the crease to flail and miss each time. Just three balls to go. Sweating profusely from the strain and effort, Andrews pounded to the crease and unleashed everything he had. The ball pitched, did a little off the pitch, and thumped into the batsman’s pads with an unceremonious thud. The question was asked and the Umpire’s finger was raised. Number 11 walked to the crease with just two balls to survive for the draw. With five slips and a gully, Andrews stormed to the crease, bent his back, and sent the stumps flying to the jubilation of the Cryptics team. Finishing with 5 for 23 off 14.5 overs, Andrews’ performance was nothing short of spectacular. With able support provided by Hastings (2 for 11 off 7) and Fox (2 for 13 off 6) the Cryptics were left celebrating a memorable 84 run win.

Let us hope for similar excitement - and similar results – as the season progresses.

Cryptics Cricket Club Cryptics Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 6 wickets
0
240		        
Jason Doole  
James Pym  
Mike Price  
Robert Hastings  
Stuart Turner  
Alex Hutchinson  
A Guest2  
Tom Andrews  
Chris Fox  
Nick Priestnall  
A N Other2  

Stragglers of Asia Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Stragglers of Asia Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
160 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Cryptics Cricket Club Cryptics Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.
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