Match Report

How do you a pick a highlight?

There were four contenders for performance of the match in this week’s fixture with West Wycombe CC:

 In the first innings Sam Norley scored his maiden half century for Middleton Stoney in a third wicket partnership of 132 with Jay Mumtaz.         

Hamidullah opened the bowling in the second innings and started with six consecutive maidens in a 10 over spell conceeding just 8 runs. 

Seril Shah took five of the first six wickets to fall in taking 5 – 42.

Jay Mumtaz nearly snatched victory from the teeth of a certain draw  taking  3 wickets for 2 runs  in a dramatic late spell of bowling.

On another dry warm day, we are yet to have a game lost to rain, Middleton welcomed West Wycombe, who complete their annual tour to Brighton with a visit to Middleton Park. The well watered pitch showed verdant green in the midst of the parched outfield. Middleton won the toss and chose to bat. Tim Riley opened with Ben Merritt.  The bowling caused few alarms, but every so often the ball would seam significantly. Hamidullah, who was umpiring , looked on expectantly.

Progress was good, both players finding the boundary. The total was past 50 when Ben miscued a drive to mid off. Before another run had been scored, Tim followed Ben back to the pavilion.  It could be considered a careless dismissal to be out hit wicket to the very slow bowling of Wycombe’s skipper, Ryan Parret.

Sam Norley and Jay Mumtaz batted with certainty. Sam certain that there was a second run,  Jay responding, especially when he was on strike. Sam was increasing in confidence with every shot. He hit the ball firmly and found the boundary regularly, Jay was content to play the supporting role. Jay was missed at slip, a fast chance high to the fielders right.

A clip to the square leg boundary was Sam’s shot of the day and took him within one run of a first half century.  He soon passed the milestone to a warm round of applause.  He fell trying to hit the ball out of the park, it left him just enough time to put out the sandwiches and cakes.  Mike Robinson was briefed that he had 2 overs to have a look and then to press on for a declaration score. Jay was also looking to up the scoring rate. He charged down the wicket, missed the ball and was stumped by a yard. 

Mike was joined by Mark Ford-Langstaff, both ensured that every ball was scored from, some dangerous singles were called for, but each time they made their ground.  Mike, like Ben earlier was caught at mid off. He was replaced by Matt Bazeley who opted more often for the boundary than the single.  24 runs came in the final three overs before the declaration came on 220. The players retired to enjoy Sam’s sandwich selection and cake cornucopia.  After tea Simmo volunteered to umpire, many thanks, and with Chris as reliable as ever in the score box the visitors were glad to be able to enjoy watching the chase progress.

Robin Cummings and Hamidullah shared the new ball. While Hamidullah hit his stride from the first ball, it resulted in a marginal LBW shout that was a whisker outside the leg stump, Robin was less accurate but was moving the ball back in the air.  With extras adding to the total, West Wycombe saw off Robin’s spell and continued to block Hamidullah’s best efforts. Only one chance came in the first 10 overs, the keeper nudging the ball out of Mark’s hands at first slip as he dived across.

Seril was loose in his first two overs, cursing quietly to himself as he gifted a brace of boundaries. All the while Hamidullah conceded nothing.   Seril found the perfect length in this third over. Opener Sage LBW for 14.  The next ball even better, West Wycombe’s danger man Irfan, trapped plumb in front to be out first ball. Seril’s celebration was worth of Shaan.  The hat trick ball was well defended but Seril had his dander up.

Hamidullah finally finished his spell, ruthlessly taken off by the captain for condeeding a boundary, that flashed at catchable height through the gulley. West Wycombe were still in the game as the start of the 20 overs approached. Opener Chia-Croft was looking mostly untroubled but unable to accelerate the scoring.  Seril’s beautifully flighted delivery claimed the third wicket bringing Parret to the crease. Shaan replaced Hamidullah, starting in similar style with a maiden.

Shaan tied down Parret with a series of inswingers and then found the perfect outswinger. Parret advanced down the wicket, the ball swung and clipped something on the way through to the keeper, the stumping was taken with umpire Simpson, at the bowler’s end, relieved that he did not have a decision to make. Ramzan at number 6 represented the visitors last chance to chase the total. With the fielders clustered around the bat runs were there for the taking. Ramzam found the boundary four times but then chased a wide delivery to be caught behind.  For a second time Seril took two wickets in two balls, Ibra bowled first ball. Seril had five, Middleton needed four more wickets, 12 overs remained.

The visitors strategy changed from trying to win the game to trying to survive. Chia-Croft remained steadfast.  Seril completed 12 overs for an impressive 5 – 42 allowing Hamidullah to return , while Ben Merritt was given free reign to bowl fast from the Farm end. Both could have had a wicket, Hamidullah found Chia Crofts edge with a beauty that seamed, lifted and left him. The batsman walked off, but was recalled when the umpire called no ball! Ben also found the edge but third slip spilled the chance.

Four wickets were needed with just three overs to go when Jay Mumtaz was thrown the ball. Jay often comes on and breaks a partnership. Today he did even more. His first ball was perfect. It drifted in the air, beat the bat and with the meerest kiss dislodged the off bail.  The last ball of his first over was even better, but too good to find the edge.  Ben bowled a good over to Chia Croft, who survived , but turned down a single from the last ball.

Number 9, Howth, Chairman of the Stage Cricket Club faced Jay at the start of the final over.  First ball a harmless leg side wide. Second ball, full, straight and catching Howth on his left boot. A huge shout ensued for LBW and a bigger cheer when the umpire raised his finger. Five balls to go, two wickets to get, Jay up for the challenge. Three more deliveries successfully defended and then an edge to keeper with one ball remaining.

Last man Hoyle had been on tour for three days, had not bowled and had looked like a man who had enjoyed his tour in the field. Jay had one chance. The ball hit the back pad, a appeal was made, but all knew that it was not quite straight enough.

Jay had nearly worked a miracle, the players of both teams applauded on leaving the field of play, all felt as if something had been achieved. Quietly in the background, Howard, Ann and Denise ensured that the spectors thirsts were catered for, while Simmo hot from his umpiring stint rushed to man the barbeque. Seldom have burgers been offered with such after service, whether toasted buns, complimentary condiments or apposite anecdotes, all were supplied with a smile.

With thanks once more to our sponsors Nolan Oils.

Tim Riley