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The bank holiday fixture against Herefordshire side
Brockhampton was, perhaps, a step too far for an unfamiliar looking Green
second eleven as they were easily out-batted at North End Lane.
Winning the toss visiting skipper Watkins might have initially worried when
Green openers Doughty (37) and Wheeler (62) forged a 78 run partnership on a
difficult pitch to master. Both batsmen received balls that leapt from a
length and shot along the ground due to the dry and crumbly nature of the
wicket. In addition to the vertical movement the home side had to contend
with the opening bowlers Parker and Hope who found exaggerated lateral
movement in the form of swing and seam. Doughty departed to a wide, high
full toss which he managed to mis-time to mid-on. Clack(6) found the going
tough as did Tuck (4) who departed LBW to Parker. The veteran Dean dug in
and supported Wheeler in excellent fashion before taking over the reigns
when Wheeler departed for an excellent 62 off 75 balls. Dean began carefully
then, finding his stride biffed a number of fours in his 29 whilst the
irrepressible Hooper found his feet. Hooper, fresh from an excellent knock
on Saturday paced his unbeaten innings of 63 perfectly, beginning with ones
and twos progressing to fours and finally graduating with five 6’s in the
closing overs. Hooper, Dean, Scullion (10) and finally Brown (6) saw the
innings close on a very respectable 226-6 in their 300 ball allocation.
After witnessing some of the largest heaped platefuls in the history of
cricket teas the Green players took sanctuary on the square collectively
relieved that they themselves had not been eaten by some hungry
Herefordshire lads. Thompson took the new ball and bowled with real pace but
lacked the direction required and despite beating the bat on a number of
occasions leaked runs during his four over spell. With a little fine-tuning
Thompson could still make inroads at a high level of league cricket. Hooper,
sharing the new ball also beat the bat and induced a great chance in his
first over but also found a consistent line hard to come by. Scullion,
normally a model of consistency with his medium pace found too the basics
hard to implement and, despite a stumping by Doughty, created little in the
way of chances as the visitor’s score raced along at 5 an over. Hunt had a
go at stemming the time, as did Brown, Hennessy, Clack and finally Tuck but
to no avail. The Green bowlers did little wrong whilst the batting of Mokler
and, in particular Critchard was outstanding. The latter punished anything
full, short, wide or tight during his 40 ball unbeaten 90. Seven 6’s sailed
over the ropes and eight 4’s found their way past the fielders. It became
exhibition batting as the innings drew to a close and all who witnessed
Critchard’s knock will rightly remember it for some time.
Brockhampton knocked off the required runs in just 27.2 overs for the loss
of only two men. The Green did little wrong but now know the levels they
must reach if they wish to overturn the top teams in this league. On
Saturday we visit local side Ombersley for what promised to be a cracking
encounter bathed in late summer sunshine.
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