League match
Aldridge 198 for 7 in 40.0 overs (Stuart Millard 7-2-25-0, Parminder Bhomra 3-0-21-0, Adam Badger 2-0-27-0, Adnan Ali 7-1-28-1, Malik 5-0-28-1, Wahid Chishti 8-2-33-3, Rob Adams 8-1-36-2) FOW: 77 95 135 137 158 175 175
Kings Heath 198 for 9 in 40.0 overs Rob Adams bowled 60 Parminder Bhomra lbw 13 Bernard O'Connor ct midwicket 18 Mike Barlow bowled 14 Adnan Ali lbw 44 Wahid Chishti lbw 0 (2 balls) Gregg Arrand bowled 2 Malik bowled 8 Amit 6 not out Adam Badger ct mid off 0 (1 ball) Did not bat: Stuart Millard FOW: 82 98 115 154 166 171 183 198 198
MATCH TIED
This was the return fixture following a dominant Aldridge performance two weeks previous; Adnan Ali was captain for this match, late starting due to a Kings Heath car containing four players going AWOL en route to Aldridge. Parminder Bhomra opened the bowling, but his three over spell cost 21 runs, 17 of which were wides. Adam Badger soon replaced him but to no avail, his two overs costing 27, of which there were only two scoring shots off the bat, the rest being wides and no-balls. Stuart Millard at the other end, bowling into the wind, was achieving majestic swing and was unplayable throughout his seven over spell. The Aldridge openers had not lost a wicket and the only the introduction of Malik separated the partnership with 77 runs on the board. An excellent spell from Wahid Chishti brought three wickets, and he also created several catching chances behind the bat which were promptly dropped. There was uncharacteristically poor ground fielding from several members of the team, missing a core group of regulars (Rizwan, Jattin, Josh, Shak). Adnan and Rob Adams bowled competently, but the last three overs conceded over 30 runs as fielders were still in saving the single rather than protecting the boundary. The innings finished on a low note for Kings Heath, the final delivery going through the backward square region for four, leaving 199 to win in 40 overs. The reply got off to a solid but slow start, with Rob Adams (60) and Parminder (13) putting on a leisurely 82 for the first wicket in 23 overs, leaving 117 to win from the final 17 overs (rpo 6.88). With the run rate mounting wickets fell at increasingly regular intervals and incoming batsmen found it difficult to score at the required rate. None of the Kings Heath batters were able to give Adnan any support with a partnership. Four runs were needed to win from the final over with Adnan unbeaten on 44 at the non-strikers end and striker Amit Patel 5 not out. The first three deliveries were dot balls, all directed down the legside, but the non-playing Aldridge umpire failed to reprimand the bowler by calling any wides. Amit Patel tried in vain to get a bat on balls that were passing past and over leg stump, but was unsuccessful. A quickly sprinted three to deep square leg came from the fourth delivery, securing at least a tie, leaving two balls to score the run required to win the game. However Adnan was wrongly given out lbw for 44 by the Aldridge umpire, leaving number ten Adam Badger to face the final ball with one run needed to win. The field was brought in claustrophobically close to save the single, however Badger managed to hit the ball straight into the hands of mid off to deny the victory and ensure a tied match.
