Match Report – BUCS 1XI Indoors Badgers Zachary Scott and myself stood ready on the bus stop at 7:30, despite a tedious night attending Halloween parties. After collecting fresh from campus, we arrive at Coventry Rail Station. We realised we would need something to stand out in not just the crowd of 8 university teams, but in the city of Birmingham; so the merry band of teammates walked into Marks and Spencers to purchase some of their top class, £5 meal deals – it was this I am sure that made the other teams quiver on our arrival. An hour later we arrived at Edgbaston Indoor Centre, with Cooper SmithAditya GokhaleJack Feather being kicked out of an Uber for having bags too large, and being forced into a pink cab – video to follow. As we entered the indoor centre, we were met the ‘glorious’ sight of Monty Panesar, as some film crew, and whilst we hoped they were there to video us, I am sure he was giving his interview for Love Island.
Finally, our first fixture against Staffordshire 1XI, and with myself losing the toss, we were put into bat – what we wanted to do anyways. As I was explaining the rules to the scorer, I turn to see Varun Sinha has creamed a flick straight into the hands of midwicket on the first ball…not a great start for UWMCC. My brief stay was ended after I thought I was Jos Butler, and tried to reverse one on middle off a seamer, only to see my middle stump had already started its Movember 2k a day walks. A major carry from Cooper left him on 43 at the end of his innings, and gave us a competitive 84 at the end. However, Staffordshire were not able to yield their wood with as much skill as us, as they were merely knocked over for 61, after Aditya boasted 4 wickets in a spell filled with so much pace, he was considered as Tymal Mills’ WC replacement.After quite a comprehensive win, Jack and Cooper smothering off in an attempt to get into the hospitality building off Edgbaston, an attempt which soon resulted in them being confronted by security, and ushered back to the indoor centre.
Our second fixture was against Loughborough’s second best team of indoor cricketers. After losing the toss again, we were set to bowl. Despite many efforts by Zac to knock off some heads, L’Boro managed to post a competitive 128 runs. Again, it was Cooper that went in and set the tone, and with Varun lasting more than one ball this time, they managed to get a few on the board. After Varun fell, I met Cooper at the crease, with a steady partnership, we found ourselves at 70/1 after 6. After Cooper nailed a shot to the keeper, which was signalled wide, he was forced to retire on 30, and a flurry of quick wickets – including a second Jack Feather run out – left us with 40 needed off 2.3. Stumps were rattled again, so Cooper was allowed to return, and after creaming some straight boundaries, he was fed a juicy full toss – with the glimmer of hope to lead Warwick, he wound up his bat, and hit the ball straight back to the bowler’s pouch, unfortunately meaning we lost the game.The interval saw us weaponise our M+S meal deals to scare Staffordshire into losing to L’Boro, to ensure they were bottom of the group for this round, all with a lot of success. Many smiles were ripped off my face however, when India started their major collapse.
Our final fixture was against the pinnacle of L’Boro indoors cricket. After managing to win the toss for once, we started the game off with bat in hand. Cooper, again, racked up another 30, alongside myself, who, despite my vegetarianism, was able to dispatch 2 maximums. After we left the team at 75 after 7, another flurry of wickets meant we finished on 99. The rest of it …they didn’t lose a wicket, they batted well, they got it with 1 over left.A somewhat disappointed day, but with 4 weaker fixtures left in the indoor format, we are strong contenders to finish high in the table. The day ended with a solid team Wagamamas, the Uber driver calling Surrey shit, and a tour of Birmingham by homeboy Varun Sinha. On, on.