1st XI Match Report - 16/7/22

Ben Hawker gives his recollection of the 1st XI's win at Himbleton on Saturday.

A warm and pleasant day at Himbleton was the backdrop for the 1st XI’s latest fixture and the day got off to a great start as the skipper won a rare toss. His choice to bowl first on a day where temperatures were pushing 30 degrees was not met with universal praise from the rest of his side.

Despite this, the openers Robbie Lee and the skipper himself got the Ton’s off to a steady start, keeping the run rate in check for the first 10 overs. Several dropped catches and some ordinary ground fielding didn’t help the cause.

The Himbleton openers made their way to 80 before leg spinner Jamie Mackenzie snaffled the first wicket. Bowling in tandem with Kiwi spinner, Akshay, they wrestled back some control. The left arm spinner picked up the second wicket when a ball shot through at ankle height and was hit in front of all 3.

At the midway point, Himbleton were poised nicely at 104 for 2. Mackenzie then found himself on a hattrick by first trapping the opener Dickinson for a well made 53, followed by a stunning catch from Ayran Jagadesh at deep backward square leg to dismiss the number 5 batsman for a golden duck.

Akshay also found himself on a hattrick some overs later, reducing Himbleton to 168 for 6. A third wicket for Akshay and Himbleton found themselves in real trouble at 176 for 7. The skipper brought himself back on and mopped up the tail, taking 3 wickets, all bowled to dismiss the hosts for 187. A fantastic effort given the heat.

Mackenzie was joined at the top of the order by makeshift opener Robbie Lee. A cautious start saw just a single run from the first over. The second was quite the opposite. 19 runs, as Mackenzie struck two boundaries and a six.

Mackenzie continued his onslaught, finally being dismissed in the 6th over for 34 from just 12 balls with the score on 55. Youngster Stanley joined Lee at the crease and whilst the fireworks dried up, the runs continued to flow. A productive partnership of 57 was finally ended when Lee was bowled around his legs by the Himbleton skipper for a very well compiled 39.

Stanley fell shortly afterwards for an eye catching 30 from just 34 balls. At this stage, there were a few nervous people amongst the Ton’s camp, fearing a repeat of a collapse similar to the week before. However, a third half century stand of the innings was achieved between Will Pardoe and Ayran Jagadesh, the latter making his first 1st XI appearance of the season, putting any fears to bed.

After looking a tad shaky to begin with, the Pardoe of old was soon on show as he unfurled crunching cover drives and wristy flicks over midwicket. In the end, everyone was bitterly disappointed for him to fall 2 runs short of a first half century since his return to cricket earlier this season.

The victory was achieved very comfortably in the end, with Jagadesh hitting the winning runs in the just 28th over. A victory by 6 wickets and most importantly 20 points to extend the lead over a team just 2 places below the Ton’s. A fantastic team effort that entirely justified the skipper’s decision to bowl first.

Himbleton CC - 187 All Out (45.3 Overs)

Belbroughton CC - 188/4 (28 Overs)

MVP - J MacKenzie (103 Points)