BARNARDS GREEN CRICKET CLUB

MATCH REPORTS

25th May 2014 - Match Reports.
Halesowen vs BGCC 1sts (T20)
Barnards Green triumphed in a close County Cup contest at Halesowen on Bank Holiday Monday.   Barnards Green lost the toss and were put into bat. In an unfortunately rare appearance for the Green, Phil Harris was the star of the BGCC innings. He hit an outstanding 124 in just under 19 overs, which included 10 sixes, 9 fours and at least six lost balls. Captain Andy Ford added a rapid 21 to help the total to 170 in the allotted 20 overs - meaning Halesowen needed nearly 9 an over.   Newly arrived overseas Gabriel kept Halesowen well ahead of the run rate as the Green opening bowlers tried hard to contain him.  Halesowen were 37–0 off three overs as Jon Dovey came on first change. He immediately stifled the free-flowing young West-Indian – getting him to play and miss on several occasions. Harris joined the attack and also constricted Gabriel, eventually leading him to be clean bowled after trying one big hit too many. His debut innings of 59 contained 6 sixes and 2 fours.    Shoaib nicked one to Brewer to give Harris his second wicket while Halesowen’s other opener Z Shadid continued to accumulate runs. Ford used his bowlers wisely and it was the captain himself who made a double breakthrough. First Griffiths was dismissed by a piece of IPL-like fielding. Jon Dovey,  on the mid-wicket boundary, jumped and flicked the ball back inside to Louis Loader - to not only save the six but take the catch! Then F Shadid was stumped by a smart piece of keeping from Ash Brewer to leave Halesowen 125 for 4 – needing 46 to win off the last four overs.   Patel joined Z Shadid and this pair took Birmingham team to within 15 before Harris was involved again. He took a simple catch at mid-on to dismiss Patel and give Jon Dovey reward for his excellent bowling. This left Ford to bowl the last over with 14 needed for the Halesowen win. Moseley took a single of the first ball to give well-established Z Shadid the strike, but in trying to hot over the top he missed and was trapped LBW for 53. Maroof was stumped off the next delivery to leave Ford on a hat-trick and Halesowen needing 13 off 4 balls.   New batsman Wickstead gave the home side hope as he hit his first ball for six. But neither he nor Moseley could get Ford away and Moseley was caught behind off the final delivery to give Ford his fifth wicket and Brewer with two catches and two stumpings. Halesowen finished on 165 for 8 – 6 runs short. Barnards Green progress to the quarter-final when they will host Premier League Himley CC.