On a scorching afternoon of high temperatures, and plenty of action, our batting and bowling came good against a spirited foe.
Shofiq captained the team today, with yet another player making his debut. We have been very lucky this season to get so many new players, and Rashid fitted in well. Bowling first, Curtis (1-28 off 8 overs) showed that he has made the top end his own in yet another impressive spell of pace bowling. His first six overs were tidy going for only 14 runs, and in his fifth over he bowled their opener with an unplayable inswinging leg stump yorker. Fawaz was unlucky in that anything short went for four across a dry and fast outfield. Their number two and three pushed the score along. Dixey at three hit a massive six off Shofiq which left everyone holding their breath as the ball managed to somehow miss every car in the car park.
It was Rashid (2-43 off 8 overs) who came on and made the breakthrough. Bowling downhill their other opener, who made a spirited 59, finally top-edged a pull shot, and Henderson behind the stumps came round to make the catch. He then caught and bowled their number three on 19, the ball looping up nicely into his hands. It soon became 99-4 when Fawaz (1-50 off 8 overs) also took a catch off his own bowling. A brief spell of runs then came, with left-handed captain Kan pushing the score along before Mendis (2-36 off 8 overs) came on to take two wickets, both bowled — Kan and their number five.
Lycett, their number seven, then played some lovely shots - getting dropped at slip by Whitmore, although it would have been a fantastic catch. However, a last cameo by Shofiq (2-30 off 8 overs) bowled their last two wickets, the final one being the last ball of the innings.
It has to be said we could have been tighter bowling and fielding, but 204-8 was not a bad score at all. With Stockinger away on holiday, sunning himself in Gran Canaria, and Camberwell having doggy problems (animal not position), a new opening partnership was formed of Whitmore and Hope, who was playing his first game for over a year. And what a partnership it proved to be. With shots being played all over the park, the fifty partnership came up in just the fifth over.
Hope was certainly finding that he had not lost his touch at all. He reached his 50 in just 37 minutes, off 34 deliveries. However, he played one shot too many off his legs and was caught at square leg for 57, with eleven fours. He was soon followed by Whitmore who had reached 46 when he tried to clobber a shot over mid-off and was caught. Mendis and Scott, playing a good patient innings, brought us towards the total. Mendis, following his 89 last week, hit one enormous six and five fours before he skied a ball to mid-wicket and was caught on 31. Shofiq hit a quick 12 before also trying for the big one and being taken at cover.
It was left to Scott (20 not out) and debut boy Rashid (2 not out) to give us the winning runs in just 28 overs. It was a match played in excellent spirits, and a lot of fun was had by all. We certainly want the fixture again, as do they. But, please, a cooler day next time!