Honourable Draw between Sunday XI and the Harrow Wayfarers

Sunday 10th May 2015 – Friendly
Stoke D’Abernon 198 all out (44.5 overs)
Harrow Wayfarers 152 for 9 (44 overs)
Match Drawn

A match where the balance of power ebbed and flowed throughout ended in draw.

Batting first, Stoke openers Nico Spreeth and Baz Medlycott made steady progress, adding 38 at 4s before both fell in successive overs; Medlycott bowled repeating a shot that brought him runs the ball before; Spreeth, (17), was leg-before to left-armer Hallam who was his usual competitive but good-natured self throughout.

Andrew Somerville was in at No.3 and he was joined by Keith Watson, making his first appearance of the season in his unfamiliar habitat of Sunday cricket. The total passed 50; Somerville was very watchful and accurate bowling restricted him to just three scoring shots; Watson was pleasingly more fluent than expected given his lack of a pre-season. Good news for the 2nd XI Captain.

Somerville was bowled by Ball, and the decent crowd was then treated to an eight-ball cameo from late call-up Lawrence Pearson, whose previous experience of cricket was limited, compared to a more lengthy baseball career. He bunted a 2, 4, 3 and 1 – and was given a life by what was, in the context of what was to follow, a rare blemish in the field – before picking out a different fielder moments later. 76 for 4.

Watson and Jeremy Connell put Stoke into a good position by the end of the 25th over; the scoreboard having a nice feel about it at 129 for 4.

However the next passage of play saw three quick wickets fall. Connell needs to look at his tyres to make sure he hasn’t run over someone’s cat as he drilled a ball from sixth bowler Shave back in the direction it came from only to see the bowler pull off a stunning return catch to see him depart for 17. Cue applause from everyone.

Watson’s entertaining knock of 47, (47xb, 6×4), ended when he was bowled by Hamilton-Box; then Rod Thomson became Shave’s second victim when he was caught for 5. Shave came out of the attack at the end of the over that saw him return figures of 3-2-4-2.

Raja Singh dropped anchor and looked for support from the tail. In his first innings in Stoke colours, Duncan Elder hit two nice fours before hitting a ball from McLaughlin to Bennett; Gary Harkett also found the fence twice – in his 340th innings – but missed a ball from Gorrie and departed for 9.

This left last pair Singh and Ralph Coleman to get what they could for the last wicket with total on a below-par 169 for 9. Visiting skipper Laxton introduced more bowlers, and a further 29 runs were added in 6.1 overs before Singh, (19 from 50), skied the penultimate ball of what would have been the last over before the declaration. Bennett again showed good hands and the innings closed on 198.

Stats freaks may wish to note that nine bowlers were used and all took at least one wicket; and the bottom seven Stoke batsmen faced more balls than the top four put together; this perhaps a reason why the total wasn’t as high as hoped.

After another top tea from Jo, the visitors’ openers took strike and were given little by Elder and Harkett who bowled well. Jeal lost patience and his wicket when a wild swing at a ball from Harkett saw him bowled. At the other end Elder again bowled well without luck and saw a chance go through the slips.

Pollard and No.3 C.Shave, the latter by far the opposition’s best batsman, advanced the score to 68. After Elder, (6-1-12-0), and Harkett, (8-0-20-1), were given a blow it was Medlycott who struck next when Pollard, (13 from 51), gave a return catch; one of three ‘caught & bowled’ dismissals in the innings.

Stoke had to work hard for their wickets on a generally unresponsive pitch, equally the batsmen for their runs, but Shave did start to get the board moving and the visitors were in a strong position on 99 for 2 at the start of the final mandatory 20 overs.

Then things changed very quickly in a four over period that saw four wickets fall for the addition of just a single.

Spreeth castled C.Shave for 68, (63xb, 10×4, 1×6); Gorrie was bowled by Medlycott for 6; Bennett was bowled by Spreeth for a duck and Medlycott took a return catch to account for Hamilton-Box.

110 for 2 was now 111 for 6.

Attacking fields saw Hallam benefit to the tune of 24 before he lost two partners in successive balls to Spreeth. M.Shave hit one back to the bowler, and Ball was bowled playing back when he should have played forward. 133 for 8.

With Hallam and No.10 Laxton digging against the spinners, a short burst of seam from Connell was tried and he bowled Hallam, leaving last pair Laxton and McLaughlin just over seven overs to survive.

Spreeth and the returning Medlycott tried everything within their power to close out the win but found a resolute last pair who negotiated 44 balls to avoid defeat.

Spreeth, (9-1-25-4), and Medlycott, (11-4-43-3), were the most successful bowlers in the match that ended in an honourable draw before the sides retired to the bar for a few cold ones.

Again, thanks to those not involved in the game for their support off the field, and with some of the administrative tasks.

Next week Stoke host the Badgers at the Rec. Availabilities in, please!!!

Scorecard : http://sdacc.play-cricket.com/website/results/2542393