Match Report

A little bit of perspective.

After tea the visiting team, the BBC Bushmen gathered in front of the pavilion for a team photograph. Included in the photo was a long time Bushman, a regular over many seasons at Middleton Park, who had recently confirmed that he had stage four cancer. He gave a poignant and inspiring team talk about the joys of playing cricket and the pleasures of the annual visit to Middleton Stoney.  It put into perspective any sense of injustice felt by batsmen given out or bowlers not given decisions in their favour.  The team talk did its job as The Bushmen bowled out of their skins to ensure victory with seven overs to spare.

Earlier in the day the visitors had arrived very promptly, to find only one MSCC player in sight. Fortunately most of the home team had arrived in time for the scheduled start at 1.30. On the same pitch that had been so lively last week, The Bushmen chose to bat first and sent in Kish Changlani with skipper Harry Low. The first ball from Matt Dipple scuttled along the ground outside the off stump and the batsman feared the worst. It passed harmlessly wide of the off stump but indicated that every so ofter there would an unplayable delivery.

Changlani had scored a century in the fixture last year. He was not able to match that performance again. He was beaten by sequence of deliveries from Dipple featuring two outswingers and then an inswinger which was a text book example of “setting up” a batsman.  From the other end James Lyon found movement both ways in the air striking in his third over to take the second wicket LBW.  He took a second wicket, also leg before following a phantom dismissal for a catch behind the wicket, given by the umpire but overturned by the home captain who had taken the catch.  

George Dabby joined his captain, BBC producer joining BBC reporter, in a fourth wicket stand. Batting circumspectly the pair took the score to 64 at the drinks break. Dipple had been replaced by Hamidullah and Sam Norley had bowled two tidy overs from the farm end.  Hamidullah, revived by his glass of orange squash, deceived Low. His set up was not quite as sophisticated as Dipple’s earlier on. Two wide balls down the leg side were followed by a straight full ball that beat the somewhat awkward defensive shot offered. 

Sam was quick to follow up, Anirudh Sharma helping by running in to take a simple catch at mid wicket. Guest player for MSSC Janhir, deceived Fuller with a gentle full toss, before Dev Shah and Dabby picked up the scoring rate as tea approached. It took a combination of Anirudh and Jay Mumtaz to dismiss Dabby. A leg stump half volley was flicked firmly to short fine leg. Jay stretched both arms wide to his right and to much amazement all round held a remarkably good catch.

The tail wagged a little, helped by rather too many extras, a dropped catch by Hamidullah, (at least he got his hands to the ball before it hit his nose) and, with the batsman both stranded at one end, a missed run out opportunity . James Lyon and Ahmad picked up a wicket a piece leaving last man Michael Cockerill to face the last ball. To describe Mr Cockerill as a veteran is somewhat of a disservice. His earliest games were played in the 1950’s and he has not missed a season since. As one of the earliest to arrive and change he was spotted bowling in the nets pre game and now was his chance to shine. You would not have predicted that the outcome of his only ball, at the age of 84, would be an all run 3 but that was the case.

Having received all sorts of broadcasting accolades, including an Emmy, to be given the Kit Magrath Education Certificate will be one of his career highlights.

161 was not a huge score to chase on a closely cut outfield  with one of the better Middleton Stoney batting line ups eager to knock off the runs. Howard Lancaster and Jay looked to see off the new ball and set a platform for victory. For a few overs all was well. Jay was seen to work to turn ones into twos and despite some movement in the air seemed in good touch. In the sixth over Jay was caught and bowled by the impressive Dev Shah. Ahmad, our third batsman played carefully supporting Howard, as Howard unleashed an off drive from first change bowler Karanvir which was the shot of the innings. 

It took an delivery from Shah which pitched outside the off stump and jagged back to hit the top of leg to defeat Howard. Much was hoped of Janhir, newly returned to the UK from Islamabad. Unfortunately his innings lasted only three balls, caught in front of the stumps leg before wicket. If we had the technology it was a dismissal to review and then to realise that the umpire was correct all the time. Anirudh looked to take the attack to the Bushmen, startling the fielders by dismissing two deliveries deep into the undergrowth. There was no doubt in his dismissal but there was misfortune, as not only did the ball keep low, it also spun back in a full two feet. 

Ahmad was playing the anchor role as the final 20 overs approached. The run rate was rising but manageable and with James Lyon as his partner, young legs would cause havoc with the fielding.  At least they would have done if Ahmad had not chipped the ball into the safe hands of Dabby at mid wicket, out for 18, Middleton’s highest score of day.

Shaan perished trying to push up the run rate leaving Tim Riley to join James Lyon with 100 runs remaining to score and plenty of time left. Smith was bowling gently swinging inswingers from the farm end, not threatening but difficult to work away, Karanvir bowling off spin from the farm end, more dangerous but conceding a boundary from most overs. James fell first beaten by a ball from Smith which was superbly taken behind the stumps, the first of two victims for keeper Changlani the second of which was the dismissal of Sam Norley for just 1.

With 8 wickets fallen it would take a supreme effort from the skipper and the remaining batsman to save the game. It was not to happen as the umpire, taking time to consider his decision, ruled  in favour of Smith. The bartsman was disappointed but earlier matters his disappointment into perspective.

Hamidullah joined Matt Dipple in a last ditch attempt to save the game. 13 overs remained. Twice run outs looked inevitable as Matt tried to retain the strike and Hamidullah tried to feed him it. The third strike was out and Middleton were, in the words of local fisherman, red wine connoisseur and recently retired from cricket, Simmo ” given a jolly good hiding.”

The Bushman were convivial guests as Howard ran the bar and Sam the barbeque. The day which had started in bright sunshine ended shrouded in low cloud and the threat of drizzle. We shall do better with the bat next week.

On Tuesday May 6th Middleton Park will host a game between Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire over 60’s.  Several MSCC players are likely to be involved. This could be an excellent fund raising event for the club. If you are free to help during the afternoon or in the early evening it would be much appreciated. Volunteers are needed to help make tea and coffee, making and preparing tea, running the bar and the bbq. If you can lend a hand please let me know in the next few days, many thanks in advance,

El Capitan.