Sunday XI Lose but lay down an early yard long Ashes Marker

Sunday 5th July 2015
Stoke D’Abernon 208 for 7 (40 overs)
Old Ashfordians 210 for 3 (31.3 overs)
Old Ashfordians won by 7 wickets

Stoke’s Sunday XI may have lost this game but scored a pre-Ashes victory as Old Ashfordians’ Australian opener Jack Lunghusen proved that the Aussies can’t drink properly, an epic fail trying to down the yard of ale in one.

A full report from Match manager Nick Lo will appear here when he’s examined the data…he’s promised not to be dull, (91 not out in this game to add to his 5 for 35 from Saturday!)

UPDATE – Here is the big man’s excellent report:

On a day when playing resources were stretched to the limit due to the Trust League fixture the Sunday XI, (or ten), still managed an enjoyable day’s cricket against a strong and extremely likeable Old Ashfordians side.

With Jo ‘the Queen of teas’ on a much deserved holiday and regular match manager Ralphie Coleman busy running through the Beddington top order over in Croydon it was left to stand in skipper Nick Lo to oversee proceedings. Huge thanks to all who played, particularly Umar who played despite fasting, Rod & Alex Thomson and Andy Berry for all their help setting up and clearing away. Even tea seemed to go down well, although the odd ‘what, no Eton Mess this week?!’ remark was overheard!

A 40 over format was agreed and Lo’s first job was accomplished when he won the toss and chose to bat on a wicket that was helpful to bowlers who hit the pitch hard.

Openers Hugo Solway and Brendon Parvess started solidly by seeing off the openers, Parvess in particular looking good for his 41.

It was the introduction of a young and old bowling partnership that broke the deadlock. Youngster Henry Chapman bowled beautifully with no shortage of pace and he accounted for Solway who gloved a bouncer to the keeper.

At the other end of the spectrum both in terms if experience and pace Colin Edwards bowled with guile and picked up the next two wickets to fall. This brought Lo to the crease alongside Thomson.

The skipper started slowly and found it hard to get Edwards away, his lack of pace proving challenging and eventually a leading edge to mid-off was induced, only for opposing skipper Daryl Smith to put the catch down. Lo went on to capitalise on this opportunity, taking a liking to some of the change bowling.

By this time Lo was joined by Nico Coetzee, who played some good, attacking shots, (2 fours, 1 six), in his cameo of 22. Lo went through the gears, (including 14 fours and a six), to finish unbeaten on 91. Some good ‘death’ bowling from Carr and Smith saw wickets tumble, looking for quick runs and the final score read 208-7 from the 40 overs.

After tea Stoke took to the field with the rather unusual, (and slightly worrying), sight of Lo in full wicket-keeping gear. All the bowlers worked hard and Lo shuffled the pack as best he could with 8 different bowlers tried.

However in the end a combination of an inexperienced attack, only having 10 fielders, a part-time keeper and some sustained, excellent batting from opener Lunghusen all added up to fairly comfortable victory for the away side, reaching the target in 31.3 overs for the loss of three wickets. Wicket takers for Stoke were Parvess, Wilson and Thomson Snr.

After the game both teams retired to the bar where the young opening bowler from down under, Josh O’Shea, attempted the ‘Pagie Yard.’ In what was hopefully an omen for Wednesday’s opening day of The Ashes, he failed to live up to the hype and finish the yard in one sitting. A cracking effort though! See photo below.

(Video footage is also on our Facebook page – Thanks for sorting, Chalky!)

Next week the Sunday XI host Stoke favourite Malcolm Dickson and his wandering opposition Wisley Southside.

Scorecard : http://sdacc.play-cricket.com/website/results/2464664

Yard Served