The pitch looked like a good batting track and conditions were hot and sticky which is alright if you're with a woman but rather uncomfortable if you're playing cricket!
(I kept this line in but it was the closest I have ever been to using my editorial powers! Steve)
Beechwood won the toss and batted first. This was a timed match. Kelly and Woodward opened the batting and found the pace (slow) of the opening spinner difficult to deal with. Woodward in particular found the going tough, stumbling his way to 18 whilst offering 3 catches. He was doing his best to get out but I think the opposition had seen him before and wanted to keep him in! He was eventually caught and Warner came in.
Kelly eventually lost his patience and was stumped attempting to hit the spinner over the top. Herd was next in, Warner was coping better with the spinner and having survived a edge through the slips at the other end started punish the short ball which prompted a change of bowler. Warner was bowled by a ball that came back a bit. Hill came in and departed just as quickly, also bowled.
Makin arrived and along with Herd continued to build a total with some good running. At one stage they actually ran a four which when you consider the temperature was 33 degrees is a fine effort. At this stage Makin would normally have required oxygen but due to a jar of Marmite he had consumed that morning he was on top form. Herd was caught for a fine 31, Savory was next up but was soon bowled after striking one lovely boundary.
Cowell came in and supported Makin but was soon caught followed by Cooksley who was given LBW off of his thigh. Makin was eventually out after a fine knock for 38 of the last ball of the innings and Beechwood finished on 169 for 9. |
Beechwood were probably 20 or 30 runs short of what they needed but if they bowled well it could be close.
Cowell and Hill opened the bowling and both bowled well but the Badgers openers were picking their shots well and chipping away at the total.
Cooksley replaced Hill but had trouble finding his length and was punished and when a chance did eventually go to hand Cowell dropped a 'Barbie'. Woodward replaced Cowell after a fine spell and made life a lot less comfortable for the batsmen with his extra pace. He removed both openers, bowling both of them.
Boss replaced Cooksley and bowled with good flight but was still getting picked off as Badgers seemed to be judging their run chase to perfection. Savory replaced Woodward and bowled well soon picking up a wicket, Warner taking the catch at mid on. Savory bowled his next victim but Badgers were still in control and after a fairly brutal five over assault were left needing 6 runs from the final 3 overs.
Cowell came back on to replace Savory and took a wicket thanks to a sharp stumping from Makin. Cowell hadn't conceded a run so far in the over and then had a big shout for LBW turned down but after that Badgers completed the job with 8 balls to spare. Team: Boss, Cooksley, Cowell, Herd, Hill, Kelly, Makin (w), Robinson, Savory, Warner, Woodward (c)
Badgers' Match Report
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