Match Report

Graham Gooch, Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne  all have something in common with our very own Asif Kamal. More of which later in the story of an excellent game of cricket played in great spirit on a warm September Sunday in Middleton Park.

After a dry week the ground was looking in tip top condition, with a new pitch cut and rolled into submission by Paul Wordsworth. The white lines were painted with military exactitude by Matt Bazeley, Matt Dipple had trimmed the heads  of the lesser celandine that were seeking the sunshine. Some debate was had about the identification of the flowers, also known as pilewort. The skipper insisted they were part of the Ranunculaceae, Mr Dipple that they were celandine.  Perhaps one of the more botanically inclined of the club membership can give us a definitive answer?

The Invalids are a long standing fixture, details of the history of the club are included in last season’s match report. Games are usually close and this was, in the end, to be no exception. Twice MSCC were in dominant positions, if we had Win-viz then the percentages would have been in the high 90s for a Middleton Stoney win. Twice the Invlaids, inspired by an exceptional all round display by skipper, Mark Williamson,  clawed their way back into contention.

Last week Mark Ford Langstaff remembered how to hold a bat. Prompted by that success, he delayed a holiday to the French Riviera, to feel bat on ball once more. He was joined by a stiff limbed Howard Lancaster. Stiff from a night on the dance floor rather than a long innings for Deddington the previous afternoon. Both were up and running, mostly twos and singles as an opening partnership blossomed like the buttercups.  The pitch looked good for batting, as both players looked to drive. Howard seemed to find his timing, while Mark played one off drive to make the supporter purr.  As the innings developed the mostly twos turned into mostly ones as the warm weather got to both.

Fifty had been scored without alarm from the first 10 overs.  Mark (Williamson) came on to bowl to Mark (Ford -Langstaff) . He started with a brace of wild deliveries, but thereafter began to find an excellent rhythm. What had been a walk in the park now became more of struggle. Howard was pinned back by leg stump bowling, Mark’s outside edge was beaten, and then the ball edged to the third man boundary. Shintre bowling from the Church end was accurate but less threatening.  Mark and Howard buckled down as the scoring rate slowed. Umpire Simpson called for drinks. Refreshed Mark W found Howard’s pads, and the ball cannoned into the stumps. Howard departed to the shade for 40. Mark F-L followed him soon after, bowled for 39.

It is a curiousity of the day that more members of the club committe were playing in the game than can attend the next committee meeting. The next pair in were former vice-captain Tim House and former fixtures sec. John Springer. John opted for an aggressive approach, Tim after getting of the mark, a more traditional method.  John was well beaten for Williamson’s third wicket, and when Tim Riley became his fourth victim and then Stevyn Jackson was caught at cover at the other end, the good work of Mark and Howard looked in jeopardy.

After 11 impeccable overs the weary Williamson was allowed to rest. He finished with figures of 10 overs 2 maidens 4 for 31.  Tim House has not scored many for Middleton this season. He was to go on and double his total run count for the season by the end of the innings. He was well supported by Max Nalborczyk, allowed out to play in a rare gap between family weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. Max survived one of the worst calls for a non existent single seen this season, (with so many weddings attended, it was not the only non existent single he has met this year) saved only by the fumbling wicket keeper. Tim at the bowler’s end looked bemused.  

As the last half hour approached Tim let slip the shackles and began to show aggressive intent. Three times he cleared the rope, the one that took him past his half century the most impressive of the lot. Following the round of applause he tried to repeat the shot, missed and was stumped by a street. Simmo galloped to the wicket for the last 10 mins of the innings.  Lets just say that 3 runs were scored from the final two overs. MSCC had a good score of 181 as tea was served. The skipper was confident that no side had scored that many batting second all season. He was relaxed when he tucked into Athis’s samosas, tuna curry sandwiches and assorted cakes. Many of the Invalids were surprised and delighted to have a tea, so many clubs no longer providing this hospitality.

Matt Dipple and the newly hirsuite Asif were asked to bowl first. We have missed Asif’s contributions for the last 8 weeks, now he is back he was keen to show off the result of his hair transplant.  Matt was rankled that the skipper on winning the toss had not chosen to field first, he had been looking forward to Athis’s samosas all week. His first ball was struck by opener Arnold with some venom into the covers. Tim House made a good stop and prevented a run. Adjusting his length, the next ball was the ideal length, Arnold shouldered arms. The ball cut back and hit the off stump to the batsman’s considerable chagrin. 

Matt had not taken a wicket for anyone in August, by the end of his second over he had taken 3.  One taken by wicket keeper Springer, and the second a perfect yorker which splayed the stumps of Anand. Three wickets for 4 runs  was not the start the Invalids had wished for. The fielders gathered around the bat looking for more victims. Four slips, a gully,  and a short cover bayed for blood. Stevyn was left to patrol the leg side on his own. 

Asif nearly struck when the ball was lofted in Stevyn’s direction. In an action reply of his catch three weeks earlier, Stevyn lunged headlong toward the ball, arms outstretched. This time the ball did not stick. To ensure there were no hard feelings, the skipper also fumbled a catchable chance at third slip. Matt and Asif both earned LBW decisions in their fourth overs, both were from muted appeals. Matt assumed that his delivery had bowled the batsman, Asif the lone voice when his inswinger trapped the batsman on the crease.

Half the wickets had fallen for just 32. Invalids were on their sick bed and not looking in a very healthy condition. Patel and Shintre showed some fight for the sixth wicket. Matt was looking for his fifth wicket to see his name on the honours board. Seril Shah replaced Asif as Matt turned to his leg breaks. It came within in a whisker of working as a flighted delivery beat the outside edge, was swooped on by John who whipped off the bails. The umpire was not convinced.  

Taking advantage of the gaps in the field, the batting team saw a hint of chance. As the last 20 overs started the chase was still only six an over.  Momentum shifted back to the home team thanks to a inspired piece of fielding from Max. Switched from mid on to a deepish mid off, Shintre jogged off for an easy single. Max raced in, picked up and with deadly aim at the one stump visible made no mistake.  Turning the screw, Simmo had his first wicket with Mark FL holding a slip catch at the third attempt.  Max was back in the action taking a a good catch running in from the boundary and then at second slip holding on to gloved chance for Simmo’s second. 

The ninth wicket had fallen. More than sixty runs were still needed with six and half overs remaining. Mark Williamson was now at the crease. Most sides needing 8 an over for the last six overs and with only one wicket in hand would settle for a draw. Invalids made no such settlement. Matt returned to try his leg breaks, while Simmo used all his wiles to seek the breakthough.  Mark took 16 from Matt’s first over back. The field changed from attack to defense. Patel gave determined support trying to feed his captain the strike. 

13 came from Matt’s second and final over of leg spin. Sensing danger the Middleton fielding perked up. Stevyn, Seril and Tim H all made diving stops at full length. Simmo was moved out from slip! His sure hands saving runs as short cover. Willamson was in full flow, but Matt was back to his long run and bowling to win the game. 13 were required from the last 12 balls. Just four came from Matt’s final over leaving Simmo to bowl the last. 

Patel was facing, looking for a single. The single came second ball. The fielders scattered to the boundary, only four remained anywhere near the batsman. A mighty heave and the ball went high in the direction of the pavilion. High but not far. Running around from mid on came a fielder shouting “mine”.  Good ground was made by old legs and the catch taken, Williamson taken for 42 and the game won by 10 runs. 

The assembled masses in front of the pavilion gave a good hand to all as hands were shaken.  What a great game and a fine advert for Sunday friendly cricket. “The beer tastes better when you win” is a favourite comment on an old friend, Seril and Andrew were on hand to ensure there was plenty for all. Once again thanks are due to Rona for her expertise on the barbeque, we hope you have a great holiday and will miss you next week.

As  we approach the last few weekends of the season we celebrate by putting two sides out on each of the next weekends, stay fit if you are selected we will not have our usual pool of reserves. Also coming soon is the players dinner on Friday Sept 27. Please let us know if you a planning to come.