Hazelbury Bryan 09/09/18

No one told the sun that summer was behind us with the cricket played out in glorious sunshine.  The Wanderers were put into bat with Fred opening with Peter.  The games was only in the second over when Fred tried to play a leg-side delivery down to 45, when he made too much room and found himself bowled for a duck.  Anwar arrived late, but nothing like as late as Mike H who for some reason had to plan a cycle ride on the morning of the game, meaning he set off 15 minutes before the start, with 2 other players in the car!  Anwar (1) was introduced straight away before he was bowled next over.  Simon joined Peter with the score 6-2 in the third over.  Some consolidation was required with some variable bounce at one end.  However, Simon was intent on taking the game to the bowlers.  Both players looked comfortable at the crease until Simon hit a high one to cow corner giving a tricky chance that was put down.  Shortly afterwards Peter (21) was bowled from a good delivery that moved on a length to end the partnership of 63.  David struck a four before he too was bowled.  Mike W came out to bat with the score on 75-4 from 15 overs.  He was taking it easy after aggravating a shoulder injury but was happy to keep rotating the strike to Simon who, by this stage, was in full attacking mode.  After 25 overs the Wanderers were on 117-4 with Simon on 67.  A spinner was brought on and Simon hit the first ball for an Anwar special – six over extra cover!  The next was hooked for six.  The next was slow and low outside leg stump which went for four.  The next 3 were hooked for 6 to take Simon past the century with 34 from one over!  Eventually Mike (13) was unable to continue with the partnership on 111 and Nipper came in.  Not only was he hitting the ball hard, he was fast between the wickets and the run rate soared.  When some of the younger bowlers came on, both batsmen showed some respect until Simon hit a straight six in the penultimate over to bring up his 150.  The final total was 289-4 from the 40 overs with Nipper not out 58 and Simon not out for a lifetime best 163 (13 sixes and 12 fours and several lost balls).

Following tea, Luke opened down the hill with Anwar coming up hill.  Luke as always, was tricky but not as effective as previous games on this ground this season.  Anwar struggled to generate any momentum and was soon replaced by Max, the Legend.  Although he bowled well, he was not pressuring the batsmen trying to swing the ball back up the slope.  He might have had a wicket when he nearly held onto a rocket fired straight back at him, although he was lucky to avoid injury!  Fred came on down the hill and immediately looked to be able to provide some penetrative bowling.  His extra height gave additional bounce and he got the breakthrough in his first over.  The second wicket, after a 51-run partnership that threatened to bring the hosts back into contention, was broken in bizarre circumstances in the 17th over.  Fred bowled, and the ball was hit firmly to mid-on.  Nipper came around to field and attempted a run out at the bowlers end where they had attempted a very quick single.  The ball evaded the stumps but continued to hit the stumps at the keeper’s end to run out the in-form batsman for 48.  The introduction of PW turned the screw.  They were just unable to take control against him.  There was talk of the sun causing difficulty but really the difficulty came from the flight and turn offered by PW when he bowled wicket to wicket.  He took 2 wickets – one bowled with the batsman rooted in his crease and the other LBW, although on another day he may have had more LBW decisions go his way.  David had a spell at both ends and was more effective spinning up the hill!  Max had a spell coming down the hill and he looked dangerous and should have got his reward when the ball popped back to him, only to make a mess of the catching chance!  Anwar, on his last appearance for DWCC before departing, bowled some leg-spin up the hill and took a good C&B.  Hazelbury managed 198-6 in 40 overs for a 92-run victory for DWCC.

MOM: Simon

Catch of the day: Anwar C&B – the only catch

Quote of the day: “I’ve only made a 600-mile round trip for this game and he can’t get me here on time!” Max on Mike H giving him and PW a lift to the ground.