Chalke Valley 09/08/20

On a blisteringly hot day at Chalke Valley, the all-important toss was lost, and the Wanderers were in the field in the heat with no shade and little breeze.  With Zee and David finding good areas to bowl at, it was an impressive start that needed a wicket.  This cam in the 7^th over with Zee taking the top of off stump.  With David (2-37) taking 2 in the next over – both bowled – 32-3 from 8 was looking good.  Simon replaced Zee and had the new batsman caught behind by Big Dog only for no finger to rise.  This proved very costly as the ball started to fire to all parts of the ground.  Jon (1-26) bowled an impressive spell without much reward – although David almost pulled off an instinctive catch to a tracer bullet!  Zee’s figures (1-29) were ruined by his last over going for 10 but had bowled exceptionally well on a flat track.  Simon (1-71) eventually had success when he took middle stump on a yorker length delivery.  Tommy (0-72 from 7 ) was less fortunate and it was a long afternoon chasing the ball in the field.  The batsman that was caught on 0 retired when he made 100!  268-6 was a big score – even with a quality strip – and would take a lot of getting.  However, the Wanderers had the batting line up that had enough ability.

Dane was bowled out in the 1^st over and James was caught behind in the 3^rd.  Simon and Jon started to put together a meaningful partnership.  Jon hit a huge straight 6 and although the asking rate was high, there was a chance.  When Jon (35) was bowled by the left arm spinner, Tom joined Simon.  Tom never really settled and was brilliantly caught at slip.  Tommy was bowled by one that kept exceptionally low to make it 116-5 from 23 overs.  By this time Simon had lead a charmed life; skying one that the fielders confused each other as to who wanted it, skying another that landed short of long-on, hit on the stumps by a glancing strike that did not remove the bails!  After the drinks interval, Simon (45) finally connected with a straight drive only to play a tired shot next ball.  Zee (22) provided some entertainment and Bob enjoyed his bat at the end of the innings.  174 all out

MOM: Jon as an all-round performance

Catch of the day: Tom nearly claimed one on the long-on boundary and David was exceptionally close to a brilliant one, but no catches held (that were given out!).

Quote of the day: “Try using the grass Tommy!”