Match Report - 2nd XI vs. Chislehurst & West Kent (h) - 19th June 2021
Imagine… the sun was baking and we all wanted to bat first… alas, it was another damp day and overcast. Fortunately, with John Smiles offering to umpire, both sides had an umpire and we did the toss - which I duly won and asked Chislehurst to bat first.
The track had been under covers and was firm, although mysteriously some water had made it in small patches here and there. However, the majority of the track was dry and bouncy!
Shepherd and Patel opened up - Nilesh getting plenty of swing, whilst Shepherd was being accurate, whilst getting plenty to nip around. The top 3 of Chislehurst have been scoring runs for fun, averaging between 50 and 90. So when Nilesh dismissed the opener Rajapasha for 0, that was a major breakthrough. Sargeant had Banerjee caught at point and Shepherd had tied down one end, injuring the Chislehurst keeper by hitting him on the hand and claiming his direct opponent, the Chislehurst captain Avi Das, caught brilliantly by Topham behind the stumps. Chislehurst then batted sensibly, it slowly as they rebuilt their innings. Asif Latin, Sam Beagley, Andy Robinson and Paul Finch really lifting the score in the latter stages with some lusty blows, as they settled on 151 for 7 after their 45 overs.
Patel 2 for 25 off 8 overs bowled well, Shepherd took 1 for 20 and bowled with some nip, but the pick of the bowlers was Mark Burns, who had total control with his left arm spin. He finished with 2 for 24 off 9 overs.
In reply Sargeant fell early on, but Mark Stokes and Michael Topham rebuilt the innings, scoring at a run rate hovering around 70 runs per 100 balls. When Stokes fell to one that got big on him and Topham was adjudged LBW, Helyar and Allen played with aggression and style as they not only kept up with the required run rate, but accelerated at the right time. Helyar was caught at long on, but Allen saw the side through with a magnificent knock, only for him to be bowled off a full toss, with 1 run needed!
So two back-to-back wins against top half opposition. Next week, we play Gore Court at their ground.
Tony Shepherd
