Match Report

Cricket in Middleton Park on a Friday? 

International teams are infrequent visitors to our corner of North East Oxfordshire. We were delighted to welcome Malta Overseas, a team of many nations whose members are currently living and working in Malta. Malta Overseas were equally delighted when they entered the park gates to see the splendour of the ground. *What a place”, was the most frequent comment. Tim House was seen checking the boundary flags were all pointing in the correct direction, Paul W was completing the cutting of the outfield and Seril was unloading a boot full of beer bottles as greetings were given.

To make them welcome, Matt Bazeley had laid on a welcome tea. Scones with strawberry jam and fresh cream seemed appropriate. Tea was taken before the game’s due start of 5.00pm.  It was a 30 over a side match, with a curfew of an hour and three quarters to bowl the overs.  Middleton chose to bat first and openers Tim R and Mark F-L made good progress until Tim was bowled by a short ball which failed to bounce.

Tim H replaced Tim R and fresh from his century for the Oxon O60’s B team was soon striking the ball cleanly. Tim survived a run out, when the keeper fumbled the ball from the return throw with Tim still well short of his ground. Together Mark and Tim added the better part of 100 runs, firmly hit boundaries adding to gently strolled singles with a few bonus extras thrown in. Every so often the ball turned sharply so the batsman were watchful.

Tim H fell first, edging a leg spinner to first slip while Mark went on to reach the retirement score of 50, passing the milestone with a 6. The two Matts, Carpenter and Bazeley batted together with 20 of the overs already bowled. Matt C has not had much opportunity so far this season, being out cheaply in his two previous innings. Today was more promising as both players took advantage of some wayward bowling form David Millard. Extras took even more advantage as Millard let slip both wides and no balls aplenty.

Matt C connected with  an off drive, it was just above the ground and flew to mid-off. The catch was spilled, but Matt had called for a single. The alert fielder picked up the ball,  let fly and the stumps were hit. Matt departed disappointed. David Cole was making his season’s debut and had just 10 mins of the innings left. He nudged the ball into the spaces to give Matt B the strike. With the last over imminent David changed plans, hit out and made good connection, but picked out the well placed boundary fielder. Gus Floyd, another season’s debutant scampered a single. David Millard bowled a couple at Matt B’s cap, ( not to worry they remained friends afterwards) and the innings closed with 29 overs bowled.

After posing for a mass photograph in front of the pavilion the second innings began with Malta Overseas looking ominously good. Twice Ahmad was taken for boundaries in his first over and it became clear the running between the wickets was going to be aggressive. There were few twos taken in the first innings, there were to be many in the second.  Hamidullah bowled a tidy four over spell, and Seril Shah replacing Ahmad was working hard to bowl a tight line and length. 

Runs began to flow, the bowlers changed as MSCC sought a breakthrough. Shaan Singh looked to have done so. His first ball was hit toward him in the air. He held the catch, only for it to be adjudged a bump ball. Half way through the overs and Malta Overseas were just ahead of the run rate with all wickets remaining. Tim House was asked to bowl from the Church end.  Wicket keeper Gus Floyds put pressure on the batsman by standing up to all the bowling. It was his first keeping outing for MSCC, it will not be his last!

Opening bat Dan Kniveton struck a ball hard toward the mid wicket boundary, the players followed the line of the ball to see which of the two boundary fielders might have a chance of cutting it off.  A big grin spread over Hamidullah’s face, the ball hadn’t made to the boundary, he had pulled off a incredible catch.

Seeking a chance to take a few wickets, Ahmad came on for a second spell.  He struck twice, hitting the stumps  with full deliveries, including the visiting skipper out for just 2. Seril, returning also hit the stumps and with second opener retiring Middleton Stoney had a chance to bowl the visitors out. Malta batted deep and were prepared to hit the ball hard, and each partnership included batsmen prepared to push the fielders into mistakes. Tim R was gifted a wicket with a shot chipped to Hamidullah at square leg, then Hamidullah was recalled to finish his six overs. 

A costly five wides all but put Malta Overseas over the finish line, the last 20 runs came at a canter.  The stronger team had won. The margin of victory was a fair reflection, they had four wickets in hand and two and half overs remaining. The day had finished and the evening was just beginning. 

A touring team is normally good for the bar. Seril had stocked up. Rona had also planned ahead and the barbeque was sizzling as the players changed. The weather remained warm as the be-blazered visitors sat on the grass beer in hand. As the sun went behind the oak burgers, sausages and pork loins were enthusiastically demolished, many thanks to the huge efforts of Rona; it was appreciated more today than ever. Andrew and Seril were busy behind the bar as the Maltese demonstrated an impressive thirst which grew stronger with each drink.

A tradition of a touring team is to hold a court in which fines are given. A formal gathering in the Court of Gozo, with judge and barrister in wig and robes began. There are many rules of tour etiquette, most of which result in a fine of some kind, I would tell more but what goes on tour stays on tour and at this point your correspondent made his excuses and left. 

I believe at some point in the wee small hours, Seril was able to lock up and go home, it was the bar’s busiest day in years. Thanks to all (including our wonderful sponsors Nolan Oils) for making the day such a good one, and thanks to our visitors for playing and partying in such good spirits.