Charlton Down 06/08/23

A bright and breezy day after more rain had forced the match onto the artificial strip was well received. Skipper elected to bat first in a 35 over match with David and Ben striding to the crease. Ben was off the mark with a pull to the square-leg boundary. Next over David (4) blazed a cover drive for four but when he tried to repeat the ball clattered into off stump (11-1 from 2). Chris joined Ben and the combination worked well together with Chris pushing the ball into gaps and Ben bashing short deliveries behind square for four. The bowling change brought about the next wicket with Ben (35 from 36 balls) shaping to pull only for the ball to violently swing and take leg-stump (60-2 from 11.1). Skipper ensured he settled before hooking the quick bowler and then playing some imaginative shots over the slips and past third man. Chris was beginning to accelerate and the 83 run partnership came off just 11 overs. Skipper (46 from 36) gave a chance just before the drinks break when a top edge was dropped at point, but was eventually caught at deep-mid-wicket (143-3 from 22). Chris (52 from 55) was fortunate when a regulation slip catch was put down, only to hole out to the same fielder at point (145-4 from 23). Leo and Brett forged a partnership, with Leo playing 4 free-hits for no balls, pulling one to the square-leg boundary, pushing another for two and dots-balls for the others! One no-ball was above Leo’s head but he got bat on it sending it for four! Leo (29 from 43) was bowled trying to accelerate the pace, bringing Mike M to join Brett. Mike (6* from 6) played the helicopter shot for four first ball! Brett (26* from 43) struggled to get it away towards the end of the innings but 218-5 was a good score.

With no tea on offer, the Wanderers took to the field defending a good total but with the knowledge of a strong batting line up.With ‘new-boy’ Mark opening from the tree end it was Leo, coming from the hospital end, who got the early breakthrough with a delivery that swung in late, catching bat and pad on its way onto the stumps (10-1 from 2). In the 5th over there was total confusion between the batsmen about whether to take on the arm of Mike Moore. In the end Mike rolled the ball into Skipper who, despite a call from Mark for bowler’s end, took off the bails (18-2). A strong third-wicket partnership was helped by some hap-hazard fielding when attempting to stop the ball with the feet. Mark (0-11 from 4) had bowled a fine spell and was difficult to put away. He was replaced by David (0-39) who was under strict instructions to keep it full, and managed to fulfill the instructions, being really unlucky not to have a wicket or two. Brett put down a high catch at long-on and Leo had a difficult chance go hard through his hands at mid-wicket. Leo (1-43) was replaced by Ben who bowled his spell either side of the drinks interval. One Charlton Down batsman retired during the break and Ben took the wicket of the new batsman with a great in-swinging delivery (97-3 from 20). Another retirement meant two fresh batsmen at the crease and Brett on at the tree end bowling his accurate deliveries to the left-hander, pitching in line and swinging away. This produced 2 maidens until David caught her off the bowling of Chris (1-13)(118-4 from 24). Brett took a fine wicket bowled to leave him with 1-6 from 4 overs, but could have had more save the retracted appeal for a c&b and Leo putting down a smart chance at mid-wicket! PW was into the attack and produced some good length balls that challenged the batsmen. A drive saw Brett drop one at long-off but Chris held onto one to give PW (1-29 from 4) the deserved wicket. James (0-22 from 3) bowled his first overs for the Wanderers and was unlucky with a couple of wides! Victory by 32 runs.

MOM: Chris anchoring the innings.

Catch of the day: Chris in the deep off PW

Quote of the day: Plenty to choose from!

Leo “Mike Moore looks like a blind man when he’s batting” in reference to his appearance with dark glasses or his batting technique?

Leo “I meant to drop it” after spilling a catch and claiming to want to keep the batsman in.

David “I just smash a cover drive, get out and then umpire”

David “This is the only club where you get pilloried for taking a catch after loads have gone down”