1st XI Match Report - 16/4/22

1st XI Skipper, Ben Hawker, recounts our victorious start to life in Division Two.

The 2022 league season kicked off at home against Bredon with hope, optimism and anticipation and weather more befitting of June than early April. Some new faces were present at Hackmans Gate with overseas player Akshay Sreenivasan and seamer Dom Priest swelling the ranks for the new season.

One thing that hadn't changed from last season was the skipper's ability to win a toss. Clearly Bredon's captain didn't win many either last season as when the coin came down in his favour, he spent some time weighing up how to proceed, finally deciding that his side would bat first.

New ball in hand, opening bowlers Stu Hawk and George Bartram gave Belbroughton a fantastic start, bowling with real control and restricted the visitors scoring rate to a minimum. Bartram completing his opening 7 overs for just 7 runs.

The introduction of the two new recruits into the attack saw no increase in the scoring rate. Overseas twirler Akshay extracting plenty of turn from the early season pitch. He was unfortunate not to have picked up his first wicket for the 'Tons with his very first ball. The batsman cutting a long hop to Margetts at short cover, who turned the ball brilliantly over the bar, presumably auditioning for the keepers spot at West Brom when Sam Johnstone leaves.

Sreenivasan didn't have to wait too much longer for his first scalp when he tempted Bredon's opener down the track, who in truth was nowhere the ball, leaving Parker to complete the simplest of stumpings. At the 25 over drinks interval, Belbroughton were in complete control of the game.

Following the resumption of play, a dubious leg before decision for Rob Lee ended the other openers painful stay at the crease. What followed after was a precession of injuries involving players from both sides. Bredon's number 4 batter pulling up whilst completing a quick single before hobbling off, replaced by the number 5 who'd oddly decided to wear his thigh pad on the outside of his whites and didn't take kindly to this being pointed out.

The next injury befell Ton's skipper Hawker, who pulled up in his fifth over with cramp in both calves. He too was forced to leave the field several overs later after chasing a ball to the boundary proved a step too far! He was replaced by the evergreen Rob Hawk who took to the field sporting a rather smart pair of chino shorts.

The final injury came when Akshay tried to stop a ball in the covers with his knee rather than his hands. Whilst everything may be upside down in the southern hemisphere it seemed an odd decision. Fortunately he was able to stay on the field of play, albeit far less mobile than before.

Bredon took advantage of the disruptions that had occurred. It may have taken until the 33rd over to score their first boundary but they made up for lost time in the last 15 overs. Hill and the previously injured Feeney advanced the score quickly during the final third of the innings, eventually ending on 192 for 7 at the end of the 50 overs.

Hawker and Price took to the field in pursuit of the target that was made easier by some very generous Bredon bowling. Both opening bowlers sprayed the ball around that helped to ensure a healthy early run rate for Belbroughton without laying bat on ball that often.

There was surprise from all in the ground when Price was bowled with the score at 33, presumably because it was one of the few straight balls bowled from the top end during the opening 10 overs. Geoff Day and Hawker put together a small partnership before the skipper fell leaving the score at 50 for 2.

Pete Margetts came out to the middle hoping the opposition fielders would be as generous as he had been in the field. After receiving a half tracker from Bredon's spinner, he pulled the ball straight to the fielder at mid wicket. The generosity was not reciprocated as the fielder clung on and the 'Tons lost a third wicket.

Ross Parker showed Cags how it should be done with some lusty blows off the same bowler as he raced to 36, but not before Day was dismissed leg before that had it been available would most certainly have been reviewed. The Bredon appeals had died down and the supposed not out decision accepted before the umpire raised the finger to the bemusement of all.

Four more wickets fell relatively quickly and the score stood at 147 for 8 with Hawk and Priest together at the wicket. Out to impress after being removed from the attack for two dangerous deliveries during the bowling innings, Priest ticked the score along nicely, keeping the straight balls out and rotating with Hawk who has now surely cemented his position as the finisher in the side.

When Priest was bowled in the 48th over needing just 2 for victory, it really was a nail biting finish. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, Akshay made his way to the middle. The sizeable crowd waited in anticipation, unsure if his batting would be similar to Martin Crowe or Chris Martin.

What none of the crowd had briefed him on was never to go back at the bottom at Belb. The simplest of rules to live by and yet it's saved many a batter over the years. When the ball came down just short of a length, Akshay instinctively pushed backwards, shaping up to play the most glorious pull shot. The ball shot through at knee height, somehow avoiding the stumps and the keepers gloves alike.

"RUN!" shouted the entire pavilion. Akshay, head down, sprinted to the non-strikers end, touching down before circling and making his way back. Mercifully, the short boundaries at Hackmans Gate meant the ball comfortably trickled over the boundary for four byes and the game was won.

Jubilant celebrations followed with the first (hopefully of many!) team song sung at full voice by all. A controlled and tight first 30 overs in the field with the bowlers being brilliantly backed up in the field by all really helped to set up the win. A great start to the season, which gives the team real momentum heading into this weekends fixture away at Himley.

It was wonderful to see such great support for a fantastic team performance. A big thanks to all!

Bredon - 192/7 (50 overs)

Belbroughton CC - 195/9 (48.4 overs)

MVP - Akshay Sreenivasan (52 points)