Cerne Valley 11/08/24

Skipper lost the toss, and the Wanderers took to the field with 10 men. Ben opened from the Church end with a very accurate maiden and PW bowled the first over from the Forest end, which was generally online and length except for 2 wides. Ben took the opening wicket next over with a ball that went straight through the defence taking top of middle stump (5-1, 3). Ben continued to be difficult to get off the square with excellent use of the slope, and finished his spell with 4-3-6-1. It could have been more if Big Dog had held a diving catch at slip. PW finished his spell with the second wicket, enticing the batsman forward leaving a simple stumping for Skipper (16-2, 8). Leo and David bowled good 3 over spells for just 11 runs. Arnav came on at the Church end and bowled some good chinamen, getting reward in his first over with a catch (44-3, 15). Charles was revving up at the Forest end and generating a lot of pace, but was making Skipper dive around with the ball spraying about. The off-side was packed with just James infront of square on the leg-side. Charles bowled the top scoring batsman to make it 56-4 from 18. PW replaced Charles for a couple of overs without looking as threatening. Arnav (1-35) lost his line and length in his last over which distorted his figures. He was unlucky not to have a second wicket when Charles dropped a routine chance at mid-wicket. James came on at the Forest end with Leo returning at the Church end. James had his first wicket with a rank long-hop being drilled to mid-wicket where Leo took a splendid catch. Leo drew the batsman into the shot, with the late in-swing bringing the ball between bat and pad taking middle stump superbly. James bowled another leg-side delivery that Leo took again. 2 balls later, another leg-side delivery was hit square where Arnav took the catch! Leo (2-23) took an LBW with the ball hitting the back-foot in front of the stumps. PW (2-18) bowled the last man out to complete a great performance by the Wanderers in the field. Congratulations to James for his spell of 3-0-9-3!

After tea and cake the Wanderers set about chasing the 118 to win. David opened the innings with Big Dog and between them the run rate was motoring along with 24 from the first 6 overs – David having guided a four and Big Dog pulling 3 fours. David (8) was caught offering a fishing expedition outside off-stump that gave gulley a simple catch (26-1, 7). Leo was off to a positive start but was soon to learn that driving was not easy on this pitch with a couple of shots landing in-between fielders. Big Dog continued to battle with the accurate bowling and the heat! Leo (19) was caught at mid-off when trying to force a low full-toss down the ground (65-2, 23) leaving 53 required from the last 12 overs. Charles took a while to get off the mark but looked to be in good form. Big Dog tried to force a good ball and played round it and was annoyed to be bowled for 37 from 80 balls (70-3, 25) (48 required from 10 overs). Mike H (0) offered a simple catch to silly cover (73-4, 27). Arnav joined Charles at the crease and a number of overs passed by with little added to the total. Arnav did manage to crack a couple of fours and Charles smashed 2 fours over cow-corner in 1 over to swing the pendulum towards the Wanderers slightly. Charles (19) was LBW in the same over bringing Skipper to the crease with 2 overs to go and 13 required. Arnav managed a single and Skipper cut for 2 runs before despatching a huge six over long-on off a full-toss to put the Wanderers in the driving seat. Skipper was lucky when an attempted drive went up and was dropped at point, but he made no mistake pulling for four off the first ball of the last over to bring victory to the Wanderers by 5 wickets.

MOM: James with 3-9

Catch of the day: Leo at mid-wicket

Quote of the day: James after taking his first wicket off a long-hop “That was the worst ball I’ve ever bowled” followed by Ben replying “No, that wasn’t even close to that!”