Kings Heath 92 all out in 33.3 overs Jattin Patel ct gully 16 Aaron Oliver ct point 2 Jack Turrell ct gully 2 Joe Hawkins ct keeper 12 Sam Crocker ct keeper 2 Chris Crocker ct keeper 0 Matt Wright ct slip 12 Jack Lockyer bowled 3 Gregg Arrand caught 19 Josh Williams (capt) ct keeper 21 Stuart Millard 1 not out
Pickwick 93 for 0 in 15.2 overs (Williams 8-1-34-0, Millard 2-0-12-0, Jattin 5.2-0-47-0)
PICKWICK WON BY 10 WICKETS
A wet outfield delayed the start of this match, and there was much discussion within both teams whether to bat or field first. As soon as the match begun, any overs subsequently lost would be deducted from the side batting second. However run rate would then be taken into account in order to ascertain winning and losing draws. Kings Heath batted first and stand in opener Aaron Oliver was the first man to fall for only two after offering a catch to point. Rain showers kept forcing the players off the field, making it awkward for the batsmen to get into a rhythm; and advantaged the bowling side when the batters had to keep readjusting to the conditions. Running between the wickets was dangerous and slippery, with several players without full spikes falling over and getting covered in mud. Jack Turrell was given a long awaited opportunity to bat at number three, and subsequently neglected to hit any bad delivery off the square in an abject refusal to play for the team. Not only did he not attempt to score his own runs, but failed to make an effort for his batting partners when running between the wickets, which had a significant and detrimental effect on the team morale. There were murmurings that he was playing for his own agenda after being rightfully dropped from the first XI earlier in the season; and there was a conspiratorial whisper of sabotage amongst several players. Turrell was caught at gully for two runs and Jattin was then caught in the same position for 16. Joe Hawkins played a patient innings for 16 before being drawn into a stroke which grazed the edge of the bat en route to the keeper. Sam Crocker showed little staying power, and attempted several ‘big shots’ before he had adjusted to the conditions – one unnecessary attempted drive through cover took the outside edge of the bat and flew through to the keeper. His father Chris was dismissed in the same fashion with the very next delivery. Jack Lockyer, a last minute addition to the side, looked secure whilst at the crease before a delivery sneaked past the bat and crashed into the stumps. Matt Wright played a counter attacking innings before flaying a length delivery to slip for 12. Josh Williams, batting at number 10, decided to smash the ball and succeeded in playing several extraordinarily powerful drives straight down the ground before being caught by the keeper attempting another. Gregg Arrand resisted long enough to score 19 and allow Stuart Millard at the other end to score his first run of the season. Kings Heath were bowled out for 92 in 33.3 overs. There was a long rain shower during the tea break and it looked unlikely that play would be able to recommence, but Pickwick insisted that they had nothing else to do that day and were determined to wait for as long as it took. So several of the Kings Heath players were forced out onto the field and commence the cleaning up process, sopping up the standing water on the outfield and this was soon completed. The Kings Heath players took to the field again, minus Jack Turrell, who had gone home after he had his bat and eaten the tea, without informing anyone of his intentions and neglecting to pay a match fee. Adam Badger, returning from the abandoned third team game against Kenilworth, kindly offered to stand in as a substitute fielder. Stuart Millard opened the bowling up the hill with Josh Williams, captain for the day, bowling down. The wet conditions did not enable fast bowlers to grip the ball so off spinner Jattin was brought into the attack. The next 15.2 overs saw Pickwick comfortably charge past the Kings Heath total, as the batters took numerous risks which paid off. There was a lack of motivation or commitment in the field, as the stand in captain failed to inject any motivation or urgency into his side. A proactive captain would have kept changing the bowling in order to keep the batsmen guessing and not allow them to settle, whilst setting fields which prevented the batters scoring low risk runs. The eventual result was defeat by 10 wickets, and the highlight of the day was 10 Kings Heath players undertaking a game of blockers in the cricket pavilion.
