Saturday 26th April 2008

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Saturday 26th April 2008

1st XI vs. Calthorpe

Report by: Alan Barnard

It always seems like the winter takes forever to finish, and that last year's cricket season is such a distant memory, so why is it that when we take the field in the first game of a new season, it seems like we've never been away. Our 1st XI Division 1 rivals, Calthorpe were the opponents in this first pre-season friendly, and we couldn't have asked for better conditions, both overhead and underfoot, where Brent and David had got the ground into fantastic condition after some pretty bad weather over the last couple of months. Sadly, losing the toss meant that we were asked to field first, when batting was probably the better option.

The team we had out was pretty strong, being a mix of 1st teamers, and better 2nd teamers, and Mark Varley, and the massively hungover Tony Willett opened the bowling, and generally bowled good lines, Willett in particular impressing with some very economical figures before asking for a blow, presumably to head to the changing rooms to be sick. Wills was replaced by Aravind, who is over here on a work placement and was recommended by Venki, and the ECC new boy showed what a class act he is, as he began a 15 over spell, which at one point looked like it was going to yield less than 1 an over. Amazingly, despite a number of chances that were created, it took until the last ball of his spell to pick up a wicket - Dave Hinnigan defying his 'Dodgy' moniker to safely pouch a tidy catch on the rope.

At the other end, Varley was replaced after 11 overs by another new boy, in the form of leg spinner Raj, who bowled well, and extracted a fair amount of turn from a pitch that wasn't offering much. It was pleasing to see a bowler who isn't afraid to throw the ball up to the bat, and entice bad shots, and when Raj pitched it up, he looked at his most effective. A good 8 over spell, and it was time to give Stav a go, and after a couple of wayward loseners, which Stav proclaimed showed 'good shape' (if it's possible for a waist high full toss to show good shape) and a decent rhythm was found. Calthorpe by this stage were struggling to score runs quickly, and declared at 148 after 50 overs, giving us plenty of time to mount our run chase.

Tea was taken (very nice it was too, thanks ladies), and Dave Hinnigan and Chris Arul took the field to open up the innings. Both players looked in excellent touch, putting away any loose deliveries with ease, and moving the score along to a comfortable 80-0 at around 5 an over. A mini collapse followed, with both openers, Aravind at number 3 and Dave Rai (perhaps a little unluckily) back in the pavilion in short succession. Adam Herron wasn't planning to hang around though and crashed his way to a confident 45 not out to secure the victory with 5 wickets to spare, and plenty of time left.

All in all a good performance from the team, with 3 batsmen who will expect to make it into the team for the first game of the season against Southall looking in very good touch, as well as some tidy bowling figures, and good fielding. As with these fixtures, it's not unusual to be a little rusty, but the work that people have been doing in the indoor nets over the winter has really showed, and with a few more regular players expected to return next week against North London, things are looking positive for the 2008 season. Team (batting order): D Hinnigan, C Arul, Aravind, Rai, Herron, Mardell, Barnard, Willett, Raj, Elia, Varley.