Whalers CC vs Salix CC; King’s House Sports Ground; Sunday 16th June 2019
Two weeks with heavy rain and without cricket didn’t dampen the spirits of the 11 Whalers that assembled for their only Fixture against Salix this year. Captain Jack won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch with variable bounce and slow outfield.
A typical slow start saw much playing and missing by Will and Dean. In fact Dean offered a catchable drive that just cleared mid on. Then the decision of the day arrived: Dean missed a ball, the fielders thought they heard a sound and the Umpire Roland remained unmoved. With no obvious deflection and with Dean holding his ground and probable pad involved the right decision was probably arrived at.
Soon Will was out to LBW to their bowler Sai for 11 with the partnership on 45 runs, Channa didn’t hang around also out LBW as well, beer goggles still on? This bought Special K to the crease and Salix smelt blood bringing close catchers all around. Some prodding and poking was soon followed by a floaty cover drive that went for 4 much to the delight of the Whalers team. By now Dean was in his pomp and was driving and pulling anything long or short. Special offered a catch and was gone with the score on 100. Roland didn’t hang around either again another LBW decision with a Ball that was high. ??. Nearer his box than knee roll and whalers were 4 down [Editor’s note: Roland is writing this match report]. The collapse continued – our guest Whaler Amit offered a return catch and then their keeper missed a potential stumping / catch off Dean who decided to go for a run of the misfield and Aseem was run out without facing. Amit also departed which brought trusty Dan to the crease to give his usual doughty innings of ones and 2’s and offering Dean the strike. 50 Runs were added in the last 4 /5 overs and Dean soon passed his ton to finish with a super much needed 128. Extras on 22 and Dan third top Scorer on 13. Nick chattering away as normal having to pad up and not even get out in the middle.
After tea the wind picked up and soon the heavy clouds drifted away and the sun made an appearance. Dan was in on the act and had the opener caught and then clean bowled their Number 2. Nick meanwhile bowled a beauty to remove their number 3 for just 16 runs and Salix were 3 down for about 40 runs. This bought out their number 5 batsman who began by blocking everything. The run rate was helped by the appearance of the wind and some wides. Jack came on as first change as was swinging it in nicely. Amit and Aseem were soon sharing the other end, but their number 5 was accelerating nicely.
Jack removed their number 6 by a nice smart catch from Nick. Another easy catch was soon dropped by Channa. The ball was driven straight to him chest height, Channa mis-sighted it and ran in 5 yards only for the ball to strike him on the collar bone and he dropped down like a sack of potatoes . Much mirth ensued. Then another calamity happened as Salix were running for anything – an edge went near the wicketkeeper then Roland threw it at the stumps and missed, Next Will had a go as well then another fielder had a shy at the stumps and missed another good chance. So 3 missed run outs and Salix had run 3 ???!!!
Their Number 5 was by now past 50 and doing most of the scoring, with good support from their Number 9 who was running for anything and Salix were threatening the Whalers total . With 30-ish needed from the last 3 overs, Dan came back in to bowl and was soon tight as well and he bowled their Number 5 to really stifle Salix who finished on a classy 74. Nick also came back on and reduced the free runs. Soon 19 Runs were needed of the last over and 2 run outs ended the compelling finish of a match. Dan finished with 3 wickets for 34 runs, Jack finished with 3 wickets for 20 runs and Nick bowled his 7 overs for just 22 runs and 2 maidens. But 40 extras on wides and no balls told its own story of how close Salix came to pinching it.
Champagne: Kamal’s floaty cover drive for 4
MUPPET: Channa trying to catch it with his shoulder
MOM: Dean
Salix report HERE