I've just returned from Grange Loan where I witnessed a match in which the balance of the match shifted several times and produced a highly entertaining finish.
Ken will (...) fill us in on the details of the match (especially the first half, which I didn't witness; though I believe several bowlers completed good spells on a wicket not typical of those in Div 8).
After a steady start from Nevin and Lawrie against some brisk bowling, Mahmood (21) gave the innings impetus with a series of swept boundaries. In partnership with Scott Russell, he appeared to be taking Cross to victory before playing a tired sweep/swipe and falling lbw. This precipitated a collapse from about 70-3 to 75-7 which may well make for entertaining viewing on PVB's film. So too will an early contender for 'most amusing onfield incident':
At the fall of the 5th wicket, McGill (from the pavillion) and Keith Geddes (from the top of the hill) both made their way towards to the wicket -apparently both thought they had been told by Ken that they would bat at 7. In actuality the start of Colin's innings was only delayed by two balls...
Good later order batting from Andrew G (22, including a four clubbed into a garden beyond the top of the slope), Dave Sharpe (19*, including several well-struck lofted drives) and Coco (19*, including several classy shots and the winning boundary-guided past 2nd slip) took Cross to a 2 wicket victory.
An excellent win and superb entertainment.
scorecard and report here available here:
http://www.carltoncc.co.uk/fixtures_2009_4.htm#May24
Ken will (...) fill us in on the details of the match (especially the first half, which I didn't witness; though I believe several bowlers completed good spells on a wicket not typical of those in Div 8).
After a steady start from Nevin and Lawrie against some brisk bowling, Mahmood (21) gave the innings impetus with a series of swept boundaries. In partnership with Scott Russell, he appeared to be taking Cross to victory before playing a tired sweep/swipe and falling lbw. This precipitated a collapse from about 70-3 to 75-7 which may well make for entertaining viewing on PVB's film. So too will an early contender for 'most amusing onfield incident':
At the fall of the 5th wicket, McGill (from the pavillion) and Keith Geddes (from the top of the hill) both made their way towards to the wicket -apparently both thought they had been told by Ken that they would bat at 7. In actuality the start of Colin's innings was only delayed by two balls...
Good later order batting from Andrew G (22, including a four clubbed into a garden beyond the top of the slope), Dave Sharpe (19*, including several well-struck lofted drives) and Coco (19*, including several classy shots and the winning boundary-guided past 2nd slip) took Cross to a 2 wicket victory.
An excellent win and superb entertainment.
scorecard and report here available here:
http://www.carltoncc.co.uk/fixtures_2009_4.htm#May24
Posts
My take on the game from below blog post
ReplyDeleteA strangely becalmed Mike Nevin and the usually Ken Lawrie rock saw the Cross get a solid start. When Mike fell, Crawford, with 28minutes to bat, got a 3rd ball duck, looking to strike on. Mahmood then in at 4, hit some lovely strokes off his legs for a very calm 21, before being triggered lbw. Scott Russell again showed increasing promise in his recovery from his back injury with some beautiful back foot strokes before being caught for 11.
Keith Geddes, watched on by the latest future crosser (flamboyant all rounder according to his dad) also departed for a duck and the cross were struggling, with 134 needed for the win, at 80-7 off 26 with Andy Graham and Coco at the crease.
Andy bludgeoned a young and (according to Paul) very talented spinner (took 6 for not many last week vs Largo) through midwicket up the Carlton hill for a quickfire (15 ball) 20 before being bowled by a returning opening bowler. Dave Sharpe then joined Coco and some smart batting combining some glorious running between the wicket saw the cross home easily with 5 overs to spare. Coco and Dave both finishing 19*
An excellent run chase again from the 3's (after their opening game at Campbell Park vs Edinburgh South.
Well done guys!
El Captitano's take!
ReplyDeleteLovely day, great hosts, and a very friendly match both on and off the field!
I won the toss! (Thats 4 out of 4 so far) and put them in!
This was our best team fielding performance to date! We bowled well, tight and with variety (especially when Andy took the ball!) Crawford was kept busy behind the stumps. We generally kept them quiet, and managed to remove their big hitters before they could become too destructive. Dave bowled a good first spell getting a couple and Coco bowled through getting 2 I think (I'll post actual figures later!) We then brough on Andy who bowled hostile (both to the bat and the field at times!) Omar bowled a great 8 tight overs! Keith then bowled two spells (Sorry Keith but it worked really well!) Excellent chasing in the field by all (Special mention to Mike and Mahmood who must have lost a kilo chasing everything all over the park) mark for taking two good catches and nearly making it 3 with a great attempt at one which came down with a bit of satellite still attached!) We held almost everything! Great effort lads holding them to 134!
part 2
Steady start as mentioned before with a quiet Mike and a stodgy me! But they were quick and a wee bit wayward so the score ticked along nicely Special mention to Mahmood with his excellent innings which helped us along to 70 odd for 4! Which rather rapidly became something like 75 for 7! (Oh dear here we go again another Crosstastic collapse!) Out strides Andy who takes a shine to the young (very!) left arm round spinner thumping a quickfire 20, Then Coco and Dave dishing out more! Coco frustrating them with well judged edges and drives and Dave deciding that straight drives down the ground (regardless of the number of fielders placed in his way) took us home with overs to go! I was getting twitchy as the vast majority of Daves shots were driven of middle stump! Though not as twitchy as Mark who was padded up and waiting in the wings (about getting us home if need be!)
A great win and a great note for the Cross to end the weekend on!
As I said before the match was played in a good spirit by both sides and our hosts were great!
Well done the Cross!