Match Report

Although it is still April, the square at Middleton Park is showing signs of distress. The lack of rainfall, the bright spring sunshine and the misfiring of the fertiliser spreader have all contributed to a surface below premium quality. To compound matters the roller has decided that it needs a rest, and is currently sleeping below the oak tree. Even Prof. Paul’s ministrations have failed to coax it back into life.

Thus the Skipper press-ganged early arrivers, Hamidullah, Ahmad and Sam into dragging the non mechanical roller out of its trench and onto the square. Meanwhile gardener Matt filled in some of the numerous hare scrapes on the outfield. Seril unloaded the feast that he and Debbie had stayed up all night preparing, while Matt Carpenter readied the score box.

Oxenford won the toss and eagerly chose to bat. They then spent some time interpreting how a timed cricket match worked. 

With the laws explained the game began. Father and son Hamidullah and Ahmad shared the new ball. While Hamidullah was tidy, Ahmad was the more threatening. His first ball was far too good for the Oxenford opener, it cut back, stayed a little low and cannoned into middle and off.

With a left and right hander batting and the bowlers changing from over the wicket to round the wicket, Oxenford’s waiting batters kept themselves warm moving the sight screens.There were more singles than boundaries and the bowling remained tight and the batsmen watchful.

Hamidullah picked up the second wicket, a catch neatly taken by Matt Carpenter behind the stumps on the leg side. Rob Barton was next to strike, copying Ahmad with a ball that kept low and cut back. The run rate remained on the slow side, with a couple of catchable chances being spilled at slip, and by the keeper. Only Matt Dipple claimed that the under edge onto Matt’s foot was a catchable chance and  therefore a drop.

The Oxenford middle order began to charge in the period after drinks. Middleton Stoney rung the changes with the bowlers, runs flowed, a few wickets fell, one to a beautifully flighted delivery from Seril Shah. Ahmad flung himself this way and that saving boundaries, Shaan put his body on the line while the newly reduced figure of Asif kept the players entertained and encouraged.

With tea on the horizon, the visitors’ innings was declared closed on 166. Nothing too spectacular to chase at around 4 an over. However the Middleton selectors had picked a bowling heavy side and the batting order needed to be chosen carefully.

Shaan and Sam were picked to open, and were pleased to see that the Oxenford bowling was perfectly playable. Shaan was being broadcast to a large audience in India. He had helped tick the scoreboard past 20 when he played around a straight delivery. 

Matt Dipple at 3, was the first of 3 consecutive Matts in the batting order. Despite losing Sam to a mis-hit to mid-on, he and Matt Bazeley began to assemble a promising partnership. Matt D punished a few errant balls to square leg and was growing in confidence. Disaster struck when unexpectedly Rob Barton raised his finger to give him out LBW. Matt Carpenter quickly followed him, victim of a low bounce and a straight ball.

Matt Bazeley had unleashed a couple of straight drives to the mid off boundary, he had also played and missed at a couple,with shots not quite so straight. He was cursing a few balls later when he played aggressively at a long hop, mis-timed and mis-cued straight to the fielder. 

Ahmad joined his skipper. 60 – 5 was not the score hoped for but MSCC were up with the run 

rate and only need to score 4 and over to win the game. Ahmad was in good touch, his third ball faced being smashed for 6 over mid-on. Meanwhile his partner scratched around and was dismissed tamely lobbing the ball to square leg.

Oxenford were now into the bowlers. Rob Barton was determined that he prove himself a member of the all rounder category. In doing so he helped Ahmad take the total past 100 and give the growing number of Middleton faithful a glimmer of hope of an exciting finish. Alas Ahmad fell to a very good catch on the extra cover boundary. 

Middleton’s final three are not noted batters, but each made a contribution in helping Rob edge toward the total. Seril made one of his higher scores before being bowled, Hamidullah came and went quickly, before last man Asif strode confidently out. “I will win the game Skipper” he announced. 26 were needed, not out of the question but a tall order for the last wicket pair. Too tall alas, as Rob was castled giving Oxenford victory.

Usually we mention who manned the barbeque. Simon Petit had travelled many miles for a burger. Sadly a breakdown in the delivery system meant there were no buns and only frozen sausages. A robin has nested on the gas canister, perhaps it had anticipated a quiet week.