Wimborne 25/08/19

On a beautiful sunny day, the Wanderers elected to bat on a good-looking wicket.  Dane (2) and Will opened the innings and the partnership was worth 40 when Dane was bowled.  Tom (43) hit some big shots but was uncharacteristically stumped when well set.  All the time Will was accumulating runs but his 50 was missed by the spectators who had gone inside to watch the climax of the test match.  They missed Simon getting off the mark with a six (also missed by the scorer) and Will and Simon putting on 105 for the 3rd wicket.  Will passed his century with muted applause from the scorer and shortly afterwards, Simon (50) was c&b by one that came onto the middle a bit too strongly.  Will continued to score strongly once joined by Simon T and this partnership added 36 before the close of the innings on 265-3.  Will had played magnificently for his unbeaten 124.

Mark managed a couple of tight overs before losing his length cost him severely.  He did get the early breakthrough with a well-deserved LBW.  He also got the second wicket in the last over of his opening spell before Umair came on, but he too was unable to keep a full length, allowing the batsmen to rock back and play square of the wicket with ease.  Adam was on guest appearance and bowled 2 overs before injury curtailed his involvement – Nipper, on 12th man duties, deputised.  David managed the breakthrough but after the in-form batsman had smashed the ball all round the park.  A stunning catch was held at cover to remove him and then 2 more wickets followed for David to leave him with 3-45.  Simon T had a successful LBW and then appeared to have another that probably pitched outside the line of leg stump, so Skipper called him back.  The partnership was proving difficult to break and an over from Mark that brought just a single helped to apply some scoreboard pressure, but the hosts required 20 from the final 2 overs.  Mark was hit for 2 fours down the ground but recovered somewhat to concede 10 from the over to leave 10 needed from Tom’s over.  With 4 taken from the first 2 deliveries, 6 was required which is what was hit next ball for a thrilling finish.  The Wanderers will reflect on the lost opportunities to pitch the ball up on an excellent batting track.

MOM: Will

Catch of the day: Not recorded – see our match scorer for details!

Quote of the day: “time for a beer” after a long hard slog in the field.