1st XI Match Report vs Nottingham Trent 1s (03/06/21)
The 1s arrived at Trent in 25°C humidity hoping to finally kickstart the season in the right way. Losing the toss, the boys were put in to field.
Decent areas from openers Jabez and Sohil combined with a wet, long outfield and energetic fielding kept Trent to 34/0 off the first 10. Keeping Jabzy (0-32 off 6 overs) behind for later on, I brought myself on for some part time offies to see wag1. A wicket in my first over was useful in making me not look completely inept (especially as their number 3 subsequently deposited me into the trees a couple overs later). Sohil picked up a wicket as he finished his spell with a tight 1-20 off 7 overs.
Sensing that spin could be the way to make something happen, Tanmay was brought on, picking up a wicket in his 2nd over (I love it when a bowling change comes off). Back-to-back spells from the 2 part-timers with smart boundary riding from Tom limited Trent’s scoring opportunities, who reached 116/4 off 30 overs. An obligatory “SHEEESH” following Bennett‘s well-held flat catch at long-on brought me to the end of my spell, finishing with 2-51 in 10 overs. Tanmay’s impressive 1-28 from 10 overs concluded shortly after. Archie came on to bowl a quick 3 overs (0-16) but was shortly replaced by Sreehari‘s part-time offies due to no fault of his own (sorry mate).
Oli came on at the other end with some Darren Stevens-esque meedos. Sohil can claim Sree’s 2 wickets for the bowling change recommendation – props to Eitan for smart work behind the stumps which yielded a stumping out of nowhere. Sree finished with 2-25 in his 5 overs. Scoreboard pressure and slick fielding from Bennett brought about a run-out from long-on, and Oli’s tight lines and some smart catching from Ken Dixson led to him finishing with 3-39 off 7 overs, leaving Trent 219 all out after 48 overs, a score below par on a track that yielded 350+ for Trent’s 2s the day before.
Warwick’s innings didn’t get off to the greatest start as Ken got a sharp, in-swinging yorker from their Lancashire 2s left-armer, which was followed by myself chopping on from a back foot defence 2nd ball to the same bowler. Sree and Bennett sought to rebuild from the shaky start, their 60-odd partnership allowing us to reach 71/2 off 16 overs before Bennett was trapped LBW on 20.
Eitan picked up where Josh left off, and the Sree/Eitan partnership yielded a 50-odd partnership including an entertaining maiden UWMCC 50 for Sree on debut. However, he departed on 64 after some impressive shots and good strike rotation with Eitan. Warwick stood at 124/4 off 24 overs at this stage.Tanmay joined Eitan and made a start before departing on 15. Eitan’s powerful 40-odd came to an end in the 42nd over, leaving Warwick at 178/6 in 42 overs. At this stage, we needed 42 off the last 8 with 4 wickets in hand. The chase wasn’t to be as Oli (13) fell, unluckily followed by Sohil (0), then Archie (2), and Tom (7).
Warwick lost by 32 in the end, a disappointing end to a game where we were in the driving seat for the vast majority of the game. Overall, the boys played well, although room for improvement includes taking ownership of the chase by valuing our wickets and maintaining a good level of energy throughout the middle period of the bowling innings. We go again next Wednesday with a closer to full-strength side.
Now for some highlights of Jabzy’s fines list. If you know, you know:
Ken: https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Nothing
Bennett: https://thecricketlounge.com/…/video-virat-kohli…/.
Sohayl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiBt_pXbXmQ
Sree: https://www.wikihow.com/Speak-Well-and-Confidently
Eitan: https://www.healthline.com/health/shower-pee
Tanmay: https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Funny
Oli: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/
Tom: https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-an-Attack-Dog
Sohil: https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-a-Ball