Detail: 05-07-2009 -
Result:
Tom Ellen
Matt Fitz
Nick Clark
Marcus Jansa
Tom Jordan
Sam Selleck
Paul Whelan
Mich Corcoran
Steve Metson
Zubair Ahmed
Blues 229/7 (Jordan 100, Fitzgerald 50, Ellen 41*). Hindhead 228/7. Match drawn
A typical late arrival by half the Blues squad meant Tom Ellen (match day skipper late!!) had no choice but to bat when winning to toss at the sun drenched, beautiful tree lined pitch at Hindhead cc.
The pitch looked a belter with a very quick outfield and score of 250+ looked necessary if the bowlers were going to have a chance to force a win for the blues.
Well the top order did not quite rise to the challenge and after 45 mins the Blues were 20 for 4 (looking like we would be home for a late lunch and the majority of the tennis!!!!).
However FitzGerald joined Jordan at the crease and put on a 100 partnership for the 5th wicket before FitzGerald was dismissed for 50. Then Ellen joined Jordan who went on to score a cracking and aggressive 100 (after a recount as we all initially thought he was out on 99...love a count back).
With Jordan caught on the boundary, Ellen stepped out of the shadows and scored a battling, quick fire 41 not out, and with the tail posted a 229 for 7 total, which looked a bit light but gave us a fighting chance if we could take early wickets.
After an excellent tea (and the tennis going into a 5th set) Ellen and Corcoran opened the bowling. The Hindhead openers punished any bad balls and set a good platform. Ellen bowled a solid 9 over spell with not much luck.
As we went into the final 20 overs of this 'time' match, things were interestingly poised with Hindhead needing 120 runs with 7 wickets in hand and a strong South African at the crease.
Selleck bowled a controlled spell (final stats 10 - 43 - 1) and snared the saffer out, well caught by Ellen at Mid off, with Hindhead still needing 50 odd......a draw now seemed possible, with a win an outside chance.
Then came the game's turning moment, 2 balls later Hindhead's last serious batsmen mishit to point, where Jansa 'lost' it in the trees and spilled it!!!!
With that, the skipper bought Ellen (final stats 12 - 49 - 1) back on and looked to restrict the runs and force a draw.
The excitement built and the Blues sensed they could stop the rot of 5 losses on the bounce.
With the opposition needing 14 from the final over the skipper brought back on Zubir Ahmed ("Zoobee") for his 8th over (only 4 wickets needed in 6 balls to win the game!!). Things did not go to plan and they were down to 2 runs off 2 balls to win, but the Blues fought and Jordan (keeping wicket excellently throughout) pulled off a great stumping and
the final ball Zoobee managed the critical "dot" ball.........and the match was drawn with Hindhead two run short of victory on 228 - 7.
Great game played in excellent spirits. Not the win the new skipper was hoping for, but at 20-4 a draw was a brilliant result on a big score track.
The rot is stopped, but next step is to win at Barnes in 2 weeks.....
Thanks to all that played and congrats to Tom Jordan on a super ton!!
Laters
Fitz/Skips for the day
[updated 30 Jul 18]