Detail: 02-05-2009 -

Result:
Les Blues 93 (Ahmed 34). Crossbats 96/2. Lost by 8 wickets

In the absense of any other report, here is the one from the Crossbats:

A quick recap of the season so far sees Crossbats taking two victory’s from two outings, both with relative ease. The surprise package thus far is the form of opening batsmen, Clive Nicholls.

With all the averages and aggregate talks being around Winch and Collier, Nicholls has
Put himself in contention with two fine displays of batting, giving him an early season
Average of 72 and the undisputed lead in the race for the batting trophy.

The bowlers meanwhile have also had a chance to get out of the blocks early, taking all 20 scalps on offer from the two fixtures – It’s nick and nick in the bowling trophy stakes, with only a run or a wicket in it.

Crossbats 3rd assignment for the season was to dispatch of The Blues.

The venue was changed once, changed twice and finally settled as Hampton Wick.

The weather was good and the team was ready to go. Toss won, Dunbar elected to bowl – Upsetting various members of the side.
However, decision made, Dunbar and Van Vuuren took the new ball. Wickets didn’t take long to fall and both bowlers were rewarded for there efforts, with perhaps Van Vuuren being unlucky not to claim two or three more.

Van Vuuren bowled through and finished with impressive figures of 1/19 from 7 overs.

Gumbley replaced Dunbar and Tillson came on from the other end – Both bowlers found there mark and collected 3 wickets between them.
Ross struggled after last weeks performance, but still managed to claim 1 wicket.

Dunbar came back to tidy up the tail, assisted by a wonderful catch behind the stumps to Collier.

The Blues capitulated for 93 and although that left Crossbats in a strong position, nothing is a certainty when we get together!

After a filling tea, it was back to the track to get the job done. Nicholls started with a flourish, playing a selection of beautiful shots. Collier was cautious but fluent in his strokeplay.

Nicholls fell for 17, playing on to a ball just outside off.

Birthday boy Wright joined Collier at the crease, eager to get his average above 1 and begin staking a claim for the batting trophy.

He was far more controlled and played some elegant shots, whilst Collier began to play his natural game, and found many gaps in the opposition field.

With the game all but won, Wright holed out to mid on for 13 to bring Carter to the crease to get the job done – And sure enough he got the job done, compiling 6 and denying Collier his 50 by 1 solitary run – Brilliant!

With victory secure and beer in hand….thoughts turned to next week…..The Bank of England…..

With the captain criticised (some would say unfairly) last year for his declaration, he is looking to make amends this year and has a perfect plan in place to take Crossbats to the giddying heights of 4 wins from 4 matches….

Watch this space!

Blues

Sam b Dunbar,B 7
Shahdays c D Ross b S Van Vuuren 4
Zubair c Collier,I b Dunbar,B 34
Berry c Dunbar,B b Gumbley,J 8
Cutting c Collier,I b Gumbley,J 7
Das b Tillson,D 3
Richards b Ross 2
Aidan run out S Van Vuuren/Col. 1
I Palotai b Dunbar,B 0
C Palotai not out 1
extras (b6 lb6 w6 nb8) 26
TOTAL 9 wickets for 93


Bowler O M R W
Dunbar,B 6 0 15 3
S Van Vuuren 7 0 19 1
Gumbley,J 7 0 18 2
Tillson,D 7 2 15 1
D Ross 3 0 14 1

Crossbats 2nd 1st Innings 96/2 Closed (Overs 19)

Collier,I+ not out 49
Nicholls,C b Liddell 17
Wright,A c Mullett b Cutting 13
Carter,A not out 6
extras (b5 lb0 w6 nb0) 11
TOTAL 2 wickets for 96

FOW
1-31(Nicholls,C) 2-80(Wright,A)

Bowler O M R W
I Palotai 4 1 13 0
Liddell 6 0 28 1
Shahdays 4 1 16 0
Cutting 3 0 22 1
Zubair 1 0 5 0
C Palotai 1 0 7 1

[updated 30 Jul 18]