So this week we faced an away game at home if that makes sense.
I won yet another toss and chose to bat.
As David and Bhups strode to the crease there was a light rain shower above but in the interest of playing myself and their skipped decided to start anyway!
Despite the pitch being its usual slow and slow self both Bhups and David (yes AND David) got us off to a great start. With the scoring rate around 6 an over and Bhups passing 50 we were looking for another big score. Unfortunately Bhups fell shortly after for a well-made 56 (later on the day we would realise just how good that knock was). Prem came in at 3 and fell bowled round his legs for 0 which brought the first of the middle order hiders to the crease (myself). David with a smash to cow corned off a full toss found himself caught on the boundary (first time for everything) for 33 (again, we would later realise how good a knock that was).
From here the pitch suddenly appeared to just fall apart. Myself and Will both falling to a ball that never bounced (me bowled and Will trapped LBW) and Els bowled round his legs off a pace bowler (strange) we found ourselves creaking at 134-6. Lush came and went for an enterprising 6 and Damon dug in but his patience eventually ran out as he was bowled for 4 off 34 balls. Must say whilst blocking away smartly we did manage to pick up some valuable extras so well played Damon! Bav batted well and played a couple of lovely shots before being run out for 9 . This brought the ever confident Phil to the crease. Phil’s Second ball, what can only be described as a ‘Phil special’ (a knee high full toss), was bowled but instead of smacking it he was feeling generous and decided to chip it back into the bowlers hands and leave our gun batsman Jeavons on 0 not out. We finish out innings a 160 all out.
At tea we very much felt we were in the game but knew they had a couple of key batsman who their innings depended on.
Bhups and Bav opened the bowling and Bhups found the perfect length to bowl on what was fast becoming a pitch that didn’t bounce. Bhups cleaned up both openers cleaned bowled which brought one of their main batsman to the crease. Bav bowled a decent support spell from the other end and picked up a wicket of his own. Their danger man quickly realised that this pitch was not one to block on as any ball could skid along with ground at any moment and began to open up with some big shots through the offside. Whilst this was happening Bhups continued to dismantle their batting line up with superb bowling. Pretty much clean bowling them all and nearly picking up a hat-trick. They found themselves around 70-6 when their hopes faded as Ian picked up their main batsman caught and bowled. After this one of their batsman decided to dig in and bat outside his crease and plant his front foot down the pitch. Roll on a master stroke from Bhups…We placed Els in at short-leg ish..Bhups digs one in and it is fended off only for Els to spring (in slow motion) diving forward to cling on one handed – a really great piece of cricket all round. Well done both! This was not the end of the great catching as Ian creaked in, nick to first slip where Bhups produced a diving one handed catch to cling on. Ian finished the innings by clean bowling their number 10 and the game was done. They were 74 all out off 15.5 overs.
Another great victory and a shout out to Bhups who batted, bowled and caught superbly!
Yet more positive fielding in general which is a massive factor as to why we are winning games. A huge improvement from last year!
Well done all
Alex
Park Hill Cricket Club 