Match Report

Middleton Stoney win for the third week in a row.

The long dry spell had persisted into the week so the square was looking more and more like a lunar surface. Therefore Paul and Tim carefully soaked the pitch for the match against Old Leightonians. Surrounded by dessicated grass stems and browning moss, just one strip was showing signs of green.  Forecast rain, the first in weeks, finally fell in the early hours of Saturday and on Sunday morning. The result was a spurt of grass growth and a pitch that had the softness associated with the first games of April. It looked different to all the pitches played on this year and would surely help the bowlers. Therefore it was with some surprise that Middleton found out that the toss had been won and that the skipper had decided to bat first. It was less of a surprise that this was the first time this season that 20 wickets would fall in the game.

Sathya had been due to make his season’s debut, but was delayed in A and E following his wicket – keeping exertions for Bicester on Saturday. Ahmad his late replacement filled his shoes well. The OLs were a player short, so Middleton lent a fielder and agreed that one player should bat a second time.

Anirudh and Mark Ford Langstaff were both fresh from centuries in their last games and were in confident form. Given a chance to assess the speed of the wicket by watching three consecutive wides open the innings, Anirudh decided that anything bowled to him should be hit for four. Given a life when a catch was spilled at mid off, (some might argue that the ball was  no ball for being too high) Anirudh carried on from his last innings blasting the ball to the boundary in all directions

Mark was scoring quickly as well, playing glances and drives to the rope.  Messages began to fly around that Anirundh was going “big.” His fifty came up inside seven overs, mostly at the expense of Milo Jackson the OL opener. Mark was keen to swap ends and take his turn, Khesak the bowler from the Farm End was less generous than Jackson.  He pushed to extra cover, called for a single:  Anirudh set of hesistantly. The fielder picked up and hit the stumps. The umpire confirmed that although the line had been crossed the bat had not been grounded. The OL side were relieved that the danger man was gone.

Shaan was pushed up the order. He showed good discipline, playing himself in, and utilising his improved defensive skills. Mark looked to take over where Anirudh left off. Park, an off spinner, took over from Jackson and tempted Mark into a cover drive. The ball held in the surface, Mark played a little early and the ball flew into the hands of the cover fielder. It was the first wicket of a memorable spell for Park who was to finish with 7 wickets by the end of the innings.

As the first hour passed the effects of the roller on the pitch wore off. The ball began to deviate, to keep low and to lose momentum on pitching. Shaan fell to a ball that almost rolled along the ground, on another day it may well have been called a no ball. Three wickets had fallen for 30 runs. Olly Ross began to rebuild, cautiously watching the ball, leaving anything wide and every now and again picking off the bad ball. He showed a remarkable ability to hit the ball straight to fielders.

Matt Bazeley, his new partner, opted for a more aggressive approach. It did not last long but included one towering blow that landed just short of the rope. He was the third victim of Park. While Park was taking wickets Barton bowled five testing overs from the other end. Squiff Wordsworth, paying an occasional visit to Middleton Park, was eager to impress. He dispatched his third ball to the square leg rope with ease. Before he could add to his score, a good delivery from Barton trapped him LBW. At 127 – 5 the huge score that had seemed likely now seemed improbable.

For a while Tim R and Olly rebuilt. Singles and twos were the order of the day as both batted with extra caution on the tricky surface. Park concluded his spell after 10 overs, Barton was replaced and it was time to accelerate.   The total mounted towards a probable  declaration. With that in mind Tim and Olly began to play more aggressively. Both perished to the return of Park to the attack, both caught trying to clear mid on.

Hamidullah was up the order at 8, Paul Wordsworth not far behind at 9 and Seril listed at 10. A sudden flurry of falling wickets saw Seril leaping from his seat and hunting for his pads. By the time he had found them Ahmad had leapt ahead of him in the order, lost his wicket and returned to the boundary. Paul and Hamidullah each added a run to the total which finished on 198. A very good score on the surface. To their immense credit the visitors completed 45 overs in 2 hours and 20 mins.

Michelle and Shaan had prepared a fabulous tea. Sushi and treacle tart were among the treats as well as lovely variety of sandwiches and cakes. Visitors were disappointed that the bell for the second innings was rung long before they had finished eating. They were the lucky ones, they did not have to go out and field. Olly Ross was the first to leave the table as had been ordered to take the gloves as the skipper fancied a bowl!

For the last two games the MSCC opening attack had proved too good for the opponents. Hamidullah and Ahmad were to make it three games in row. It took a stroke of good fortune for the first wicket to fall. Ahmad bowled the first ball of the second over. It was a full delivery, it was drilled straight back at the umpire. Ahmad stuck out a hand and the ball deflected on to the stumps to leave the very unfortunate Shackley stranded out of his ground and run out. At least today, he could have a second chance, batting as the extra turn.

Hamidullah hit the stumps in his second over, Ahmad picked up wickets in each of his next three overs including a catch casually pouched at third slip by Mark and OL’s were in the mire at 29 – 5. Squiff made a fantastic stop at cover point, hurling himself to his right. He was unable to return to his feet afterwards, something had pinged in his knee. He was just able to limp off in search of an ice pack.

Last week Seril had run through the end of the Appleton order, this week the lower middle order of the OL’s took a likening to his bowling as the visitors briefly rallied. Thanks to Shaan at mid- off, who took the catch, and no thanks to the skipper who spilled an easier one in the same spot Seril did get his name on the scoresheet.  Paul Wordsworth found that the pitch was perfect for his pace of delivery. Squiff had returned to the field, hobbling from slip to slip. The sight of his father bowling in his cap caused him more pain than his knee.

The visiting wicket keeper, Allan, a gentleman of comfortable proportions, was engaging with the home team on the likely trajectories of his shots. The home team did not fall for his ruses as Paul persuaded him to drive on the off side where Ahmad took a diving catch to his right.  Paul rattled through the tail finishing with a season’s best return of 3 – 18 from his seven overs.

Once again we are indebted to Rona for her barbeque expertise and to Seril and Andrew for keeping the bar flowing. Nolan Oils once again were our much appreciated match sponsors. This week on Friday we welcome visitors from Malta to Middleton Park for a thirty over game starting at 5.00pm. Tea and cake will be served at 4.30 with a barbecue afterwards.