Match Report

They say that “catches win matches” but to be honest winning the toss is probably even more important for evening games at this time of the year. Memories of batting second in the gloom at Wadham College’s sports field last year prompted the decision to bat first after winning the toss. However, it’s probably true that catches also helped in this case.

Not that the decision to bat first was based exclusively on projected light meter readings. Oriel’s ground is one of those well-hidden delights of urban Oxford that tends to defeat most satnav systems with the consequence that 10 minutes before the game we were still several players short. The low traffic neighbourhood network in east Oxford does very little to lower the car driver’s blood pressure and serves as vivid reminder to your reporter of how nice it is to be at least semi-retired (no morning/evening commute through this part of town any more –  contented sigh!). T

he ground itself is absolutely splendid, surrounded by mature trees – a real oasis of calm within hailing distance of the frenetic Cowley Road (though we were at one point serenaded by a flock of paraqueets). For future reference access to the site off the Cowley Road is via a very narrow lane that has clearly seen little maintenance since the days when horse-driven carriages were the preferred means of transport. Careful inspection of one’s suspension and undercarriage is recommended afterwards!

Ollie and Anirudh opened the batting with the former initially circumspect against a lively attack. A maiden over (the only one of the match) prompted the opposing skipper to bring his fielders in closer; excellent thought Ollie as he then began to pepper the boundary with a rich array of shots that saw him race to retirement at 32 not out. Anirudh – all bristle and muscle at the other end made a brisk 15 before neglecting to defend his castle adequately.

Runs came swiftly thanks to a magnificent batting strip and the best outfield we have played on since the days of outings to the Corpus Christi pitch (home of the old Cowley St John) where one George Lamb made, I believe,  his last 50 on a very hot day, prompting some concern for his health as he ran many short singles (it really was a terrific knock). Newcomer Simon Smith showed great promise and composure in his all too short cameo (5), Harry was his usual straight-batted class until he missed a straight one (16), Ali Meier manoeuvred the ball around to great effect (19), Ahmad made a rapid 26 not out while still managing to give a good impersonation of the “Keystone cops” with this running between the wickets, and skipper for the day Matt Carpenter contributed a powerful 34 before retiring (all the more impressive since it came at the end of a long drive back from a day’s work in London).

With some fine lusty blows from Shaan Pankaj (6 not out) at the end the score of 168 for 4 appeared on paper to be unassailable. However, we were playing under some fairly hybrid home limited overs rules – you know the sort of thing that people these days seem to think that cricket needs – only two outside the ring for 6 overs and then limited numbers outside the ring thereafter (no, I can’t remember how many either!). Call me old-fashioned (or just old) but why do people seem to think this sort of thing with a fancy name is necessary (Power play? Bah Humbug!).

In all the home side used 8 bowlers of various degrees of pace, wiliness and gender but it was not a bowlers’ wicket. Indeed when the home members realised the game was at Oriel there was apparently a rush of batsmen to play and a slight dearth of bowlers; They clearly knew which side their bread was buttered on.

In reply, Oxenford rapidly fell to 5 for two with wickets for both Hameed and Wordsworth, the latter helped by a marvellous catch from Ollie Ross, one-handed pirouetting so fast that it was a miracle that centrifugal force didn’t rip the ball from his hand. Clearly time for a change of bowling – we don’t want this game over too quickly! Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals but those intervals were becoming uncomfortably long and tended to be separated by relatively long periods when the home batsmen made hay (they hit seven 6s altogether).

Ollie Ross chipped in with a much-needed wicket (this time with Prof’s help). Perhaps 20 years ago he would have reached the skied back foot cut without the need for all those theatrics but much to your reporter’s relief and amazement the resulting swallow dive ended up with the ball still nestled in his grubby little right paw.

As the light faded fast and the Middleton fielders slowly lost visual contact with what was going on, the home side were clearly relying on some form of radar. The ball continued to find the middle of some very hefty bats, flying to all points across and, more often than not, over the boundary. Further sharp catches from Shaan (testing that recently broken finger) and Ollie (nasty skier) helped to keep Middleton’s hopes alive but at the end of the 17^th over with 148 on the board things were much too close to call.

Turning ones into twos where even ones had looked unlikely was costing Middleton dearly and wickets looked to be the only way to stem the flood. Fortunately, Hameed and Barton senior obliged and victory by 2 runs was secured in the gathered gloom of a glorious midsummer evening.

A thoroughly enjoyable game of cricket and a good advert for what a bit of catching practice can do (even if the skipper thinks we also gave away 20 runs in the field).