Match Report

Many hands help create a fantastic finish

MSCC is sponsored by Nolan Gas and Nolan Oil

 

Rain was falling on Middleton Park as the players arrived. Proper summer rain in stair rods. Thanks to Nolan Oils MSCC now possess proper pitch covers and these were wheeled out just in time to save the pitch from the innundation.  30 minutes later the sun was shining the pitch uncovered and play could begin. 

Banbury are one of the younger teams we play. Two thirds of the XI are under 20. They chose to field first and the young guns were given the new ball.  James Acton and Will Brant bowled 10 lively overs between them, each getting to ball to move in the air and off the seam. Batting was challenging. 

Matt Carpenter decided to emulate Zak Crawley, he chased a fast wide delivery and was well caught in the gulley without scoring. Mike Robinson sooned followed, playing the wrong line to a full delivery. MSCC had started poorly and needed Matt Bazeley and Ali Meier to knuckle down and dig them out of a hole.

After Ali survived a dropped catch at cover there was plenty of knuckling down, with the occassional straight drive from Matt and square cut from Ali. After an hour the score had reached 30 with no further loss. A second heavy shower interrupted the game and the covers returned. 15 minutes were lost. When the two opening bowlers were relieved scoring became a little easier and the run rate began to climb. Ali broke the shackles and Matt opted for the arial route as the drinks interval approached.

Having taken the score to three figures both fell in quick succession. Matt struck the ball hard into the bowlers midriff. The midriff clung to it and Matt departed for a hard earned 43. Ali followed soon after bowled trying to accelerate the scoring, his highlight a gorgeous lofted off drive over extra cover. The two Tims were now at the crease. Tim House did the majority of the scoring, three boundaries in his innings. Tim Riley was caught at slip for 4 and Tim House caught by the bowler for 23. 130 only on the board and tea imminent. Not enough was the general concensus.

Sam Norley and Shaan Singh made a mockery of the struggles of the earlier batting. In just under 10 mins they added a further 25 runs scoring of every ball and running rapidly between the wickets. Shaan once  running a two when Sam stayed at his end. It was a vital flurry of runs that changed the balance of the game. Arvind, with pads on, waiting to bat next, was the most generous of the applauding team as the innings closed ,

The Robinson family supplied tea. The fresh cream cake caused the captain no end of difficulty as he tried to lift a slice from the plate. A gooey mess on the end his fingers looked inelegant but tasted divine. Many thanks Robinsons, a fine effort.

Hamidullah is used to bowling 6 or 7 overs at the start of the innings. He soon settled into to a good rhythm bowling downwind, getting some help from the wicket. He beat the bat and had the left handed opener in difficulties bowling from around the wicket. Sam Norley struggled to find his length into the breeze as Banbury weathered the new ball.  Just as the skipper looked to George Robinson to break the partnership, Hamidullah took his first wicket bowling the younger right handed opener. The first wicket fell with already 35 on the board. 

George bowled a short spell, tempting the batsmen to play a rash shot. Twice he nearly succeeded. Hamidullah was on song, the ball landing on a length and testing the batters’ skill. The Captain brought himself on to bowl downwind, Hamidullah switched to bowl into the freshening breeze. Runs began to dry up, Banbury’s number 3, Warwick battled on but became becalmed.

Tim bowled Spokes behind his legs. Hamidullah also hit the stumps and nervousness emenated from the visiting team. Questions were asked about the start of the 20 overs. The home side felt the change in mood and as a team began to sense an outside chance of victory. The fielding became sharper, concentration deepened, the game was on!

George Robinson saved a certain boundary with a telescopic left arm, Arvind waited to pounce at cover, Shaan patrolled the square leg boundary.  Warwick was joined by Captain James. James looked confident and struck the ball cleanly. Warwick unleashed a blow over mid wicket and the iniative looked to be with Banbury. James in turn hit the ball further and faster into the undergrowth . A combination of Riley and Carpenter accounted for James for a quickfire 27. Maybe on another day Matt would have convinced the umpire his appeal for a stumping should have been given out.

Meanwhile Hamidullah was giving nothing away, bowling very straight and very full. Banbury lost left handed Crook to a catch at mid off by Ali, and then Tim struck twice in one over, coming very close to a hat trick, a stumping chance missed with the batsman stranded. What had been a four run an over chase now became six runs an over and then seven. A fabulous stop by Mike Robinson low to his right, drew cheers from his teammates.

Banbury had a sting in the tail, wicket keeper Miller was possibly the best bat in the team and he had opted to drop down the order. MSCC were aware of the threat and were alert to the danger. He walked out to bat when Tim took the sixth of his wickets at the start of the penultimate over with 20 runs still needed. 

All the Middleton fielders were alert. The little huddle of Spectators were hushed. The ball was driven toward the long on boundary, Tim House hurried to his left, leapt and reached with both hands. The ball looked to have stuck, but tumbled out as he landed. Two vital runs saved. The next ball was crashed to the boundary. Fourth ball of the penultimate over, Miller advanced down the pitch and made great contact. The ball looked to be heading  over the ropes. Ali had other plans. A leap of his own, both hands raised and he managed to push the ball back into play. A stunning piece of fielding. Four more runs denied.

Miller managed to keep the strike. 11 runs needed by Banbury and one wicket for MSCC for victory. Hamidullah was now to bowl his 20 th consecutive over. The field spread far and wide knowing that a boundary at the start of the over would be disastrous. Hamidullah did not disappoint, the fielders stuck to their tasks. Banbury were restricted to singles. Knowing the game was safe the field came in around the bat for the final ball but this time there was no fairy tale ending. Someone in the past may have bowled a longer spell, but I doubt it was a better one than Hamidullah’s 20 overs, 3 maiden, 3 wickets for 59.

It had been a draw that felt like a win for the home team. MSCC might not be the most gifted cricket team in the land, but for an hour, late this Sunday afternoon the team came together as 11. There was a great sense of unity, with each contribution, no matter how small, making a difference to the outcome. So great was the concentration that no one noticed that there was not a drinks break, no one noticed that we almost completed the 20 overs ahead of time but we all noticed the thrill of a game that could have had any result when the last over began.

Many thanks to Peter and Seril who made sure that he bar was open throughout the game, and that the BBQ was ready for the end of the game. Chris did a great job on the scorebook and as ever we are grateful for his service. Roll on the second half of the season.