Match Report

Joe Root and Ali Meier have good days.

MSCC are sponsored by NOLAN GAS AND NOLAN OILS.

At Cardiff, where the West Indies were playing the second ODI the England opening bats were dismissed without scoring. Joe Root at number 4 scored 166* to win the game.  In Middleton Park, where Ascott-under-Wychwood were the visitors, both MSCC opening bats were dismissed without scoring. Ali Meier scored 88* batting at number 4. For Ali it was a career best score in any form of cricket, and he might well have gone on to three figures if the callous skipper had not declared the innings closed ten minutes before tea.

The day began with the players adjusting the boundary rope and sight screens. Many hands made light work, hands that were carefully gloved against the splintery plastic shards the rope leaves behind. Ascott are not very used to timed cricket and were happy to ask MSCC to bat first so that declaration decisions could be deferred. Mark Ford Langstaff, fresh from century and half century and Jay Mumtaz, top scorer in the same fixture last season opened for Middleton.

Will Harvey, at 16, is a stalwart of AuW and has become a lively opening bowler. His first ball, a low full toss was tapped backed by Jay. His second ball was full and straight, hit Jay’s pads and left the umpire no option but to uphold the appeal. Jay returned early to the dressing rooms to lick his wounds. Jackman is a new recruit to Ascott, a contemporary of Harvey and a very promising off spinner. Mark was surprised by the dip on the ball, and was grateful to see off his first over.

Shaan Singh took on the responsibility of batting at no 3. He defended well against the quicker bowling and twice struck boundaries, one a leg glance and one an elegant drive through cover. Half way through Jackman’s second over, Mark followed a slightly wider delivery, edged the ball and was caught one handed by a diving wicket keeper. MSCC were 8 – 2 and in a bit of bother.

Ali came out to join Shaan. Ali took most of Jackman and Shaan saw off the rest of Harvey’s spell. A sensible period of rebuilding had taken the score past 30.  In Jackman’s final over Shaan was beaten, bowled for 17.  The change bowlers were much less threatening. Anirudh coming in to bat was very threatening. Only Seril had parked in by the side of the pavilion, he now moved to stand in front of his tesla as a precaution. To a great cheer Ali persuaded Anirudh to run for a brace, and even in one remarkable moment a three. Anirudh responded by blasting the ball deep into the undergrowth.

Harvey and Jackman returned to put a check on the scoring rate. Anirudh mis-hit to be caught at mid off but Ali was just warming up. James Lyon opted to play the sweep shot at every opportunity, the best shot a  controlled sweep in front of square into the brambles at the foot of the oak tree. Ali responded by reaching his first Middleton half century and then as his confidence grew with a majestic off drive off Harvey .

James played one sweep too many, this one in the air straight to the fielder at deep square leg. Tim Riley joined Ali in a final flourish as the declaration approached. It came at the end of the 39th over with the total on 215. Ali was applauded off in style. Not only was this his best batting, it was also his turn to make the teas. Fortunately all had been prepared ahead of the game and in usual MSCC style supporters had stepped in lend a hand, many thanks to Jen. 

Well done Ali a fine tea and incentive to all members that tea making is often rewarded with a good personal performance in the match, did Joe Root make cake and sandwiches this week as well?

Once again Hamidullah struck in his first over. Today it was first ball of the innings, AuW skipper Matthews unable to deal with a slightly short straight delivery.  Paul Wordsworth opened from the other end, he too picked up an early wicket, hitting the top of off with his third delivery. Mirroring MSCC the visitors had also lost 2 early wickets.

A Taylor of AuW is one of the younger opening bats at just 13. Paul Wordsworth has been playing cricket since before Taylor’s father was born so it was a contest of contrasting ages as Wordsworth bowled to Taylor. A time game allows for patient innings to be rewarded. Taylor was patient, but also able to pick up runs on the leg side. Three times he glanced Hamidullah to the fine leg boundary. Taylor’s patience was not matched by the rest of the top order. Hamidullah struck a second time and a catastrophic calling error saw Bryce run out for a duck by Shaan’s excellent pick up and throw.

Seril replaced Paul. He joined the “first over take a wicket club” by catching Weaver off his sixth ball. AuW were 30 for 5 and seemingly out of the game. Taylor was gritting his teeth and making sure that his wicket was protected, his new partner, Jackman was more aggressive but picking off only the wayward deliveries. Seril could have taken the wicket of Taylor twice, but chances were spilled at slip and extra cover which usual would have been claimed. James Lyon and Anirudh bowled wicket less spell as the drinks interval and the final 20 overs approached.

Looking at the scoreboard Ascott had recovered to a much better position, only five and a half runs an over were required and 2 set batters were looking good. Jackman picked up 13 runs from an over from Seril who was replaced by Arvind Sharma. Having teased the fielding side for nearly two hours Taylor mis hit a pull shot to square leg where Shaan took a good catch. Taylor’s 38 had anchored the innings, a most creditable performance appreciated by a warm hand from both teams.

Will Harvey batting an no 8 was the last recognized batter. He would normally bat aggressively but recognized that holding out for a draw was the best option. Harvey and Jackman batted through several bowling changes as Middleton sought the breakthrough. Time and overs left were running out. It took a run out to make the breakthrough. Harvey hit to extra cover, Arvind swooped like Jajeda, flung the ball at the wickets and hit with deadly aim. Jackman would have made his ground had his bat not jammed in the surface a few inches short of his ground. He top scored for Ascott with 61.

It was now a race to take the last three wickets. Seven overs remained. James Lyon and Hamidullah were selected to bowl those overs. Cheered for each successful defensive shot or leave, the first three of those overs were wicketless.  Harvey tried to keep the strike and was doing so well. The bowlers searched for the right length but were being frustrated knowing that the final two batters were genuine no 11s. The fielders crowded closer and closer round the bat and James broke through. Two more overs passed without a wicket. The game extended into the extra time allowed by the early declaration.

 Hamidullah hit the right length, Harvey was beaten and distraught bowled for 21. One wicket needed, nine balls left in the innings. Three times Hamidullah beat the bat but missed the stumps. James had the final chance, his first ball a poor one a wide down the leg side. A least it was called a wide and he would have an extra chance. The second ball was perfect, pitching just outside the off stump and cutting in to hit. Middleton had won with five balls to spare, both teams had felt the excitement as the tension mounted, it had been an excellent contest. Without Chris manning the score box we would not have known all these details, thanks as ever are due to him.

Many thanks to all the helpers who ran the bar and the barbeque, Ascott were perfect guests who are already looking forward to the return fixture next season, where a year older for their players means they will be better and stronger  players whereas for MSCC we will just be another year older. 

At the end of each month we will be nominating a player as the Nolan Oils player of the month. For May 2025 that player is Anirudh Sharma, congratulations to him as the inaugural winner. Talking of nominations we are still looking for volunteers to take over the roles of Treasure and Secretary for next season. If you think you could fill one of these roles please let Peter know ASAP.