Scorecard

Gloucester Gipsies v Cryptics Cricket Club on Wed 18 Aug 2021 at 11:30
Cryptics Cricket Club Lost by 50 runs

Match report The final result shows the Cryptics lost this match by 50 runs, which on paper looks like the Gipsies ran all over us, but that really does not tell the full story, and indeed going into the last 20 overs the Cryptics (should!) have been favourites to win, albeit under some time pressure. If this were a boxing match splitting both innings into two either side of the breaks, I would have scored the 4 sessions as 2 for the Cryptics, one drawn and one for the Gipsies. Unfortunately that session win for the Gipsies was the crucial last one, and we lost it badly. In frustrating reminisce of the recently finished Englands Mens test match against India, this match featured a side that was in the contest and slight favourites going into the final stretch, a tail that wagged more than it should and an epic batting collapse.

But first to the positives as the pros say...Gipsies won the toss and put us in, and overall a really remarkable and fantastic effort in the field by the Cryptics. Harvey Pynn rolled back the years and like the titan he is just 'kept on pounding' to bowl 13 overs straight, missing the bat countless times (many of which were to their top scoring no.1 batsman) and somehow ended up wicketless. Ben Westhead found some movement both off the pitch and in the air, and although struggled a bit with his length teamed by with his brother for James to take a brilliant leg side stumping standing up. James Barwick came into the attack to bowl some super off spin, well flighted and controlled, before Chris Ward took over from Harvey to continue very steady and tight line and length from the other end. James deserved his 2 wickets before lunch - another good stumping from James Westhead and the key wicket of the free scoring no 1 batsman caught at fine leg attempting the sweep for 69. At lunch honours probably about even Gipsies about 160 odd for 3, but we had already bowled about 38 overs.

The usual hearty Gipsies lunch ensued and we turned to spin at both ends with James Barwick continuing and Sathya joining the fray. They bowled beautifully in tandem, putting real pressure on the Gipsies batsman and bowled at a cracking rate. Well supported in the field (a notable mention again to Harvey, who despite his 13 overs was like a ball magnet in the covers and continued to stop everything) and with super keeping from James W we felt the pressure should eventually tell. A couple of wickets after lunch duly came, however having bowled well over 50 overs the game seemed to be drifting with tight bowling, the batsmen struggling to get the ball away, and still 5 wickets to get. A brave suggestion from Craig Rintoul unlocked the deadlock as he offered to sit in at short leg to James B, which for some reason riled one of their batsman. One whistled past his head, another clipped his helmet and the third hit him on the back of the shoulder ballooning to midwicket for the catch! 2 more quick wickets left the Gipsies 198-8 and in trouble. But the tail wagged, a couple of tired/dropped catches happened and in hindsight that extra 45 odd runs probably cost us the game. But to give everyone huge credit, having bowled and fielded for 65 overs everyone was pretty knackered! Top effort from James B who got a well deserved 5-95 off 25 overs and Sathya 3-45 off 14.

The Cryptics set off on the run chase in confident form. Sam Elstone looked the class player he is, but sadly could not push on beyond his 28, but good steady batting from the 2 left handers Craig Rintoul and Jason Doole meant the Cryptics were in good position at tea only 1 down, although time pressure was starting to build, with us looking at having about 10 overs less than the Gipsies and the wicket was turning more as the day progressed. At the start of the last 20 overs we should have been in as very strong position needing about 120 with 9 wickets in hand. But cricket is a great leveller as they say. Jason Doole made an excellent 50 then holed out and Craig made a well balanced 61 before being run out after trying to push the run rate along and a slight hesitation. The Gipsies took a leaf out of our book, bowling spin at both ends and the ball was difficult to get away. The pressure started to grow and we capitulated with a fold of England-esque proportions, losing our last 8 wickets for less than 40. If there is any consolation/excuse (!) the 2 gispies spin bowels did bowl tight, just as our spinners did. With slow off spin at one end with decent turn and a genuinely good leg spinner pushing it through rapidly (with a googly that most of us could not pick!) it wasn't easy.

So although a disappointing result, especially having gone through 65 overs in the field. However some excellent cricket on display, 2 very good 50s, and a superb collective bowling effort, but this one was not to be. A good one for the neutrals as they say!

Gloucester Gipsies Batting
Player name RunsMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 9 wickets
0
245 (65.0 overs)		     
  Caught  69
  Stumped  8
  Stumped  31
  Bowled  19
  Bowled  26
  Caught  18
  Bowled  4
  Caught  6
  Not Out  36
  Bowled  11
  Not Out  4

Cryptics Cricket Club Cryptics Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Harvey Pynn13.043700.002.85
Ben Westhead7.0138138.005.43
A.N. Other25.0595519.003.80
Chris Ward6.012100.003.50
Sathya Vadivale14.0345315.003.21

Cryptics Cricket Club Cryptics Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
195		        
Sam Elstone Bowled  28
Jason Doole Caught  50
Craig Rintoul Run out  61
James Westhead Stumped  11
Nick Westhead Lbw  9
Ben Westhead Bowled  5
A.N. Other Lbw  0
Rob Walker Bowled  11
Harvey Pynn Lbw  0
Sathya Vadivale Caught  2
Chris Ward Not Out  0

Gloucester Gipsies Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

  • Umpire :
    graham frost
  • Scorer :
    Jon Curtis
UA-68987171-1