Match Report

Middleton Stoney put the V in Village! 

 

After much amateur weather forecasting and discussions about who had the more accurate weather app, it was agreed the game would go ahead with an early start at 1pm and a reduced 35 over format. As things turned out that was about the only point in the afternoon when MSCC looked to have much of an idea about how to approach a cricket match! 

 

The Invalids are a well travelled and highly talented side, with a healthy smattering of young, athletic and enthusiastic players mixed in amongst some older, more seasoned, senior players. This combination of youthful talent and experience was to shine! 

 

MSCC batted first. In truth that’s what they intended to do. In reality it became a heady race to see who could get in and out in the shortest amount of time. The opening pair of Mumtaz and Robinson saw off the first over and then the rot set in. 

Robinson falling to an in-swinger in the second over. Ford-Langstaff drove his first ball for 4 before falling to the excellent Williamson, caught at first slip. Bazeley joined Mumtaz, who then missed a full one and was bowled in the 4th over. Norley arrived at the crease and was dropped first ball but was caught a couple of balls later. At this point MSCC were 16 for 4 off 7 overs. Lancaster joined the effort and added 5 before being given LBW (although he felt he edged it). 28 for 5 off 13. Carpenter (Skipper for the day) strode out……..The Invalids were looking worried……some of them had travelled a significant distance and there was a risk the game would be over by 3pm! 

Some game management bowling changes loosened the stranglehold a little but, having just smoked a 6 back over the bowler’s head, Bazeley tried to cut a wide one, only to find it was a (savagely) turning off-break that jagged back between bat and pad and into the top of his middle stump! 

Sharma to the rescue…..from 47 for 6 to 163 for 7 as Carpenter – dropped at mid wicket on 0 – stroked his way to a very tidy 51, and Sharma smashed his way to a impressive 70, before running past one and being stumped. Khalid was next in, but soon after saw Carpenter spoon one up and get caught. Young Muhktar brought an air of confidence and creamed the returning opening bowler (Williamson) back over his head before trying to repeat the act and getting caught at mid-off bringing Wordsworth out to try and gather a few runs in the final couple of overs. Wordsworth clipped his first ball to a deep’ish mid wicket and, head down, arms pumping, legs spinning, set off. Sadly, Khalid didn’t feel a run was on and…….stood still at the non-striker’s end. The throw went into the wicketkeeper and the MSCC inning closed at 172 off 33.5 Overs. Well done Matt C and Anirudh S. 

 

Now on normal days….this would be the point at which the teams take tea. But the early start, and shorter first innings meant that Hamidullah’s Afghan curry tea was still in preparation on the other side of Bicester at this point. So it was decided that we would turn around and Invalids would get their innings underway. 

 

MSCC’s performance hereafter can best be described as mediocre! The old adage of catches win matches (4 drops) can be joined by the similarly bitter truths of wayward bowling will get carted by good batsmen, poor fielding is a rapidly spreading disease, and immobile older gentleman don’t make for the most effective fielders!! Invalids’ openers batted well…..very well. Arrold in particular took a real liking to whatever MSCC were doing, as he stroked his way to a magnificent 101 Not Out, Retired. The highlight of Invalids’ innings, from a MSCC perspective was the arrival of Hamidullah with tea in the 15th over, offering the opportunity for us to enjoy a quite superb feast. 

On returning to the field, Carpenter took the only wicket to fall (Patel for 31). But in truth Invalids hardly got out of 2nd Gear and won at a canter inside 30 overs! 

 

Wheels came off…..but we all had fun…..sort of!