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Droitwich vs BGCC
Sunday 2nd XI
A ten man Green cruised to a six wicket victory at Droitwich in last
weekend’s Sunday league fixture. The match was played on a hot sunny day
with a gentle breeze billowing across the ground providing assistance
for the bowlers. Droitwich won the toss and had no hesitation in batting
first on a dusty, worn track. With Nick Rogers unaccountably not turning
up, a ten man Green were left facing a potentially tough session in the
field under the glaring early afternoon sun. The new ball attack of
Anshuman and Scullion rose to the occasion with incisive opening spells.
Anshuman (1 – 18) was in a particularly miserly mood, giving away just
18 runs in his nine over stint, and removing Garbett (17) with a
superbly taken edge by keeper Robin Longmore.
The ‘pace’ duo of Ian Bryant (1 – 26) and Jamie Longmore (3 – 38)
continued to apply the squeeze on the home side. Longmore Junior
utilised the breeze to good effect, clean bowling the middle order of
Hunt (18) and Smail (12). Most of the Droitwich batsmen did get a start,
but with opener Davies top scoring at 35, none went on to amass a really
big score. The batting side did not help themselves with the needless
run-outs of Holiday (18) and Davis (12) to smart plays by Hill at long
off and Wajzer at midwicket respectively. The tail was mopped up by Hill
(1 – 26), Scullion (1 – 34) and the wily Dave Price (1 - 25),
restricting Droitwich to a below par 174. This was a fine outfield
effort from the ten man Green, the fielding was tight and disciplined
throughout and no catches were spilled.
The Green’s reply was based on solid foundations with an opening
partnership of 60 by Sherliker (35) in remission from retirement and
Hill (29). Droitwich’s opening bowlers posed relatively few problems
apart from an edge by Sherliker off Smith flying straight through the
keeper’s hands. Once the batsmen had established themselves the ball
started flying regularly to the boundary. Matters changed however in the
14th over when Hill attempted an extravagant over the top drive, but
merely yorked himself to be castled by Davis (2 – 45). Sherliker was
soon to follow caught and bowled by Hunt (2 – 44). The new pairing of
Higgs (16) and Anshuman (20) continued to score freely with Higgs in
particular hitting some fine pull shots. Both batsmen perished in
similar circumstances attempting big shots to inappropriate balls. The
resulting mishit skyers were gratefully snaffled-up by the Droitwich
fielders.
The run chase was then taken-up with a gusto by Robin Longmore (53 no),
who found the support bowlers much to his liking. A series of straight
drives were despatched to long on and long off, and one massive six
landed in the next field. He was joined in the latter stages of the
Green innings by skipper Marek Wajzer (14 no) who batted circumspectly
as the situation demanded. Wajzer smashed the winning runs in the 33rd
over, leaving a decidedly shaky lower order with pad rash for the second
week running. The Green’s fine run in the second half of the season
continues with five wins from the last six games. | |