Match Report: Earlswood Strollers CC vs NECC
There's only one way to describe the weather this weekend: Overcompensation!
The wind, rain and single-digit temperatures of last week were a distant memory as the mercury hit 22 degrees and bright, blue skies welcomed us to our away game against Earlswood Strollers CC.
The wind, rain and single-digit temperatures of last week were a distant memory as the mercury hit 22 degrees and bright, blue skies welcomed us to our away game against Earlswood Strollers CC.
The contrast in weather from one Sunday to the next does make you think about how vulnerable cricket is to climate change. Here’s what Joe Root has to say about it and what some players are trying to do to make cricket more sustainable.
With the captain running late, vice-captain Charlie stepped in for the toss which Earlswood won and they chose to bat on a green wicket under the baking hot sun.
A very short boundary down the hill provided a marked contrast to the other, which required an Uber.
A very short boundary down the hill provided a marked contrast to the other, which required an Uber.
Our openers, Jack and Josh were eagerly anticipating the action as Earlswood's batsmen made their way to the crease until it was realised that one for these was Quentin Ferreira.
And so, with 18 FC and 22 List A matches in both South Africa and Surrey under his belt, for the first - and hopefully last - time on this website, allow us give you links to the wikipedia page and first-class match record of one of our Sunday Friendly opponents.
As a notable Kent club chairman said upon hearing this:
And so, with 18 FC and 22 List A matches in both South Africa and Surrey under his belt, for the first - and hopefully last - time on this website, allow us give you links to the wikipedia page and first-class match record of one of our Sunday Friendly opponents.
As a notable Kent club chairman said upon hearing this:
"Ouch - what the hell is he playing a Sunday beer game for?!"
Quite.
Accompanied at the crease by Tim Schwilk, Ferreira soon hit his stride against Josh, hitting two fours over the long boundary making it look like it was 30 yards away.
This early display of mastery was obviously not good enough for Vas, ESCC's captain, who at the end of the third over, ran on the pitch and requested that we move to the next pitch because that was the one prepared for this match.
This pitch was flat with very little grass and tailor-made for batting on this glorious summer’s day and the openers now continued at 10 runs per over for the first eight overs.
So fast and furious was the strike rate that Quentin reached and passed his 50 without a single clap of recognition from his home team.
Sajid finally got our first breakthrough in the 13th over by trapping Tim before the wicket but celebrations were cut short when it was realised his replacement was John Olufawo, a man with over 10,000 runs in his Kent Cricket League locker.
He, along with Quentin, proceeded to put on an exquisite batting display before their partnership of over 150 runs was finally halted by Raj who had John caught at long on by Kalp, 12 short of a century.
Mark Drings joined the final assault and helped Quentin take the innings to 325 for 2 in 40 overs; a masterful display of batting augmented by a few dropped catches and some unintelligent fielding which did not help our cause.
This pitch was flat with very little grass and tailor-made for batting on this glorious summer’s day and the openers now continued at 10 runs per over for the first eight overs.
So fast and furious was the strike rate that Quentin reached and passed his 50 without a single clap of recognition from his home team.
Sajid finally got our first breakthrough in the 13th over by trapping Tim before the wicket but celebrations were cut short when it was realised his replacement was John Olufawo, a man with over 10,000 runs in his Kent Cricket League locker.
He, along with Quentin, proceeded to put on an exquisite batting display before their partnership of over 150 runs was finally halted by Raj who had John caught at long on by Kalp, 12 short of a century.
Mark Drings joined the final assault and helped Quentin take the innings to 325 for 2 in 40 overs; a masterful display of batting augmented by a few dropped catches and some unintelligent fielding which did not help our cause.
With ECB regulations allowing tea to be served again, our first tea since September 2019 was particularly welcome. Sometimes, we forget how integral cakes and cuppas are to the Sunday game.
After a well-deserved break, the chase began steadily for both teams with Sam and Bilal opening the batting and Tariq and Sajid opening the bowling.
Sajid caught and bowled Bilal bringing the in-form Jack to the crease and he and Sam kept our hopes alive by taking us to drinks with the score at 99 for 1. Sam soon fell for 41 but Jack battled on to a brilliant 64 off 67.
In keeping with our season so far, one brought four and any hopes of a successful chase
were vanishing over the long boundary and we were finally done for 194 in the 36th over with Tom Leach taking three top-order wickets and two for John to go with his 88 earlier in the day.
Sajid caught and bowled Bilal bringing the in-form Jack to the crease and he and Sam kept our hopes alive by taking us to drinks with the score at 99 for 1. Sam soon fell for 41 but Jack battled on to a brilliant 64 off 67.
In keeping with our season so far, one brought four and any hopes of a successful chase
were vanishing over the long boundary and we were finally done for 194 in the 36th over with Tom Leach taking three top-order wickets and two for John to go with his 88 earlier in the day.
For his thoroughly entertaining innings of 64 and lead role in an improbable chase, Jack is once again the deserving player of the match for the second week running.
A perfect day for cricket marred only by a jarring mismatch. It is always a pleasure to play on such wonderful grounds as that of the Earlswood Strollers and we thank them sincerely for hosting us although, if they are going to continue fielding a Sunday Friendly team with players listed on ESPNcricinfo.com, we would not be upset if they declined future fixtures.
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| NECC Caption Competition No.332 |
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