Match Report

What a difference a week makes.

A keen North Easterly blew across Middleton Park. Extra sweaters, scarfs and string vests were recovered from the deepest recesses of over stuffed kit bags. A lone hare skittered around the pavilion wondering where the warmth had gone and a pair of mistle thrushes inspected  the square for juicy morsels. Fresh from his inglorious start to the season, out first ball in his first game, Mark Ford-Langstaff took some circumspect steps out the crease, opening the batting for MSCC with Jay Mumtaz. 

The visitors, Deddington, were playing at Middleton for the first time. However several of the team were familiar faces reflecting some close connections between the two clubs. Rob Barton was umpiring for Deddington, while recovering from a dislocated shoulder, Hamidullah and Shaan were playing as guests. Simon Smith and Wayne Dibsall have both guested in the past for Middleton and Simon Oldfield has played Over 60s cricket with several Middleton men.

Middleton had Asif, Jamie Lumb and George Robinson making their season’s debut in addition to John Springer whose debut included tea making duties. Mark and Jay were watchful, with Jay looking to play the more aggresive role. Preston increased his pace in his second over, Jay responding by driving through mid off. Mark was relieved to score his first run. The pitch looked placid, with a low but consistent bounce. Movement through the air was the main danger. 

After 10 overs Jay was unable to resist the temptation of a wide outswinger from Preston, his outside edge well caught by Shaan an point. Mark and Michael Robinson saw off the remaining overs from the opening pair, Mark starting to show some fluency as Hamidullah tired. Michael took his time, remaining on 1 not out for some time as Mark dominated the strike. At drinks MSCC were well placed at 80 – 1 with Mark just passing 50. 

Mark started to open his shoulders, including a huge 6 to square leg from Shaan’s attempted bouncer. Michael swung his arms more freely, picking up three boundaries and a damaged shoulder. Nursing his arm, Mike was caught at slip for 15 from a partnership that had added 75. John Springer briefly shone before being the first of two victims for Smith, caught at mid off. Smith nearly had a third when Mark charged down the wicket, missed and should have been stumped. Eagle-eyed umpire Lumb spotted the keeper taking the ball well infront of the popping crease and shouted “no ball!” With 20 mins of the innings remaining trips to the score box enquired of Marks progress, 70 odd became 80 something. Anirudh came and went for a useful 17, Jamie Lumb was given instructions to see Mark over the line. Mark was relieved a second time when a tricky chance was spilled at mid off. 

A boundary took Mark into the 90s.  The opening bowlers returned. Mark was batting carefully, runs came in ones and two, Jamie scampering to ensure Mark was on strike as the clock neared tea time. A glance to leg and the spectator, (it was a cold afternoon) and the home jumped up to applaud. The specators arithmatic was inaccurate, Mark had made it to 99. 

The next ball was chopped to third man, a relieved Mark galloped to the other end to a second round of applause. Now free from the shackles of seeing Mark over the line Jamie launched a huge six over long on, and the declaration was made.