Won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Spencer and Stephenson opened in what hoped to be a new pairing for the ages, but it wasn’t until Nigel’s 6th over that the first wicket fell. The spinning postman delivered 8 on the trot for his first game of 2023.

Earlswood Strollers scored well on a good deck, until Crane (2-43) made waves with his left arm swingers, while strolling up the hill was M Gumpert’s (1-14) fizzing and flat off-spinners.

A combination of Khan (1-40) and Tailor (4-28) brought about 5 wickets between them, with Spencer returning to deliver a toe cruncher into the stumps, which was completely unwarranted against a friendly oppo batsman.

But it was all about the last over of the game as Niraj was truly in brilliant form, a caught and bowled to start - secure. A clean bowled followed - confident. It’s a hat trick chance. The next ball a mirror image, ties up the fresh bat and pops off his top edge to a waiting Stephenson on the leg-side 45. Filmed from multiple angles. Silence. It’s in his hands. It’s out of his hands. He gets a finger to it. It’s gone.

Dropped.

Disbelief.

But determination, as Niraj settles the crowd, field and his own nerves. He’s got three balls left and only one wicket remains. He snatches it up. Flight, guile and guts - it clears the gate, and the stumps, into Baveas’s gloves. The bails fly and the bat is nowhere near his crease.

Strollers are all out for 254, a roughly par score for the ground they say.

In the mix was a stunning grab from Scantlebury, held as it dipped from above the top of the trees, and a heartwarming combination of Khan and Baveas for a caught-behind. (#CricketFriends).

Julienne and Scantlebury open the batting, with Keogh in at three. They all hold their own and see off some very good balls from a confident oppo line-up. These guys clearly didn’t get the open with spin memo.

Not to worry, Max ups the tempo and finds the aforementioned tops of the trees. Ball not lost, as it was easily spottable at the bottom of its own crater in a neighbouring county.

From here on in its contributions from all with top scores from Baveas, Khan and man of the moment Carl Viberg who carries his bat (with another red inker for Niraj) and uses the last ball of the innings to strike it over the rope and become the Plough’s top scorer for the day.

90 short on the day, but we held them to a draw.

Witnessed by Cheer XI: Gumpert F and Vikki (bowls inswinging Yorkers for fun).

Signed,
Spencer, M

Match report produced by Matthew Spencer