24th April 2010

Barnards Green CC 1^st XI completed their pre season preparations with a friendly match at North End Lane with Hatherley and Reddings the visitors.

On a hard, dry track home skipper Tim Williams was happy to bat first on winning the toss.  The visiting opening attack gained some early movement and accounted for Golder, Hooper and Rhodes early on.  This brought Andre Russell to the crease for his much anticipated debut knock.  The Jamaican soon found his stride with a counter attacking innings including 10 fours and 2 massive sixes.  When he was finally accounted for by Hatherley and Reddings own overseas star he had amassed 68 off 50 balls.  Meanwhile, Jez Clarke, who had been happily rotating the strike and watching the carnage at the other end, then moved through the gears himself playing a series of attractive off side shots.  Clarke was well supported by firstly Adam Binks, back from a 7 day trip around the globe trying to get back from the Caribbean, and secondly Chris Smedley.  By the time the lower order fell away sharply Clarke had reached a fine 84 before he was the final man out, leaving the Green with 242.

After a fantastic tea the Green’s bowlers came out looking for early wickets.  Russell bowled with real pace but also accuracy as the Hatherley batsmen survived 4 maiden overs.  At the other end 17 year old Tom Banks found some early movement and picked up 2 wickets in a fine 7 over spell, the first  assisted by a juggling catch from skipper Tim Williams.  Andrew Ford was then introduced into the attack and almost immediately picked up what looked to be the key wicket with a very fine return catch, low to his left.  Hatherley continued to play with real freedom and boundaries flowed at regular intervals.  However the Green’s bowlers picked up wickets throughout, ably assisted by some fine catching.  When Ford returned to trap the final man leg before Hatherley were dismissed for 200, leaving the Green victors by 42 runs.  The Green can be reasonable pleased with their preparations and start the new league campaign next week with a tough trip to Astwood Bank.