Plough started slowly with openers Baveas and Smith falling in the first 7 with only 20 on the board. Skipper Leon came in and absorbed some pressure only to fall victim to probably the only ball that popped up all day. With Keogh falling not long after the Plough were in a hole at 47/4. Enter Andrew Cosgrove and Aislynn Rogers who put on an 86 run partnership to steady the ship and get the Plough back in the game. Aislynn hit her highest Plough score in her finest innings with some textbook high-elbow shots, in particular a glorious cover drive that was probably the shot of the day for 4.

Cosgrove, so close to a 50 multiple times this season, put on a display of how to bat on the wicket blocking the good balls and punishing the bad ones, taking particular fancy to the legside. Cosgrove was calm and composed and took control of the innings. A very well-deserved first Plough 50 (in England, he had a tour 50) and his teammates could not have been happier for him as he retired (a pre-determined rule from the skippers).

Sam Howes took the loopy bowling personally and came in a man on a mission, absolutely blasting the ball all over the place in a style befitting of a certain other Englishman with NZ heritage. Aislynn claimed it was his kiwi-ness and the power of pineapple lumps but whatever it was absolutely no delivery was safe as he punished Banstead around the park with 37(22). After he was caught it was Niraj Tailor’s turn to get in on the big hitting with a very calculated 26 (16) displaying both staunch defence and elegant pulls for 4. Knowing the end was nigh, Diangenda came in next with a very handy 14 (7) showing intent and actual running. Leon decided to declare at 40 overs (good thing it was a timed match?) on 185.

It was then Plough’s turn to bowl as the sun just seemed to go from strength to strength. Giordy opened with Niraj Tailor and both bowled well to keep it tight and Niraj dismissed one of their openers after a fantastic high catch from “Buckets” Bob Keogh fielding at mid-on. Nigel came on and bowled a typical Nigel spell having them caught in a web and then bowling their other stoic opener.

Then the moment everyone was waiting for. The bowling debut of our very own James Anderson, The Derbyshire Express. You could just tell his very name had the opposition trembling and just a little wary – no doubt not the last time this will happen. He was welcomed to the top of his run-up with chants of “Jimmy Jimmy” and he delivered. Jimmy bowled with lovely shape and wobble seam to keep their batters guessing including a lovely yorker on leg stump to clean bowl their troublesome number 3 on 44 when he looked a serious danger of getting away. It really was the perfect Plough debut – first wicket, first runs, ran all day in the field, enthusiastic at the bar, offered to score, and happily laughed at all of our terrible chat.

Somebody pointed out he resembles our own 1s Skip Duray Pretorius, with calls of Duray Jr and questioning of his paternal lineage. He also put his body on the line to stop a whopping drive his bowling, the kind of whack to the leg everyone on the field hears and has a moment of “ahhhh oooooooohh.” Naturally he just shrugged it off and kept bowling. We could have a serious plough here.

Unfortunately Banstead started to settle and take over the rate with boundaries to relieve the pressure. The sun was really doing its thing at this time and full credit has to go to the team for the way they kept the energy up and played for each other in stifling conditions, a Plough team effort to be proud of under the calm Skipper Parks. Sam Howes, not content with his performance so far came in and picked up another wicket.

It was then time for Giordy, fresh off a 4 over “comfort break” (of course the over after we had just finished drinks) against their 7 who had one of those days where he just swang at everything and it connected. There was also a moment if eyes did not deceive where the oppo umpire, a very experienced gentleman, was giving Giordy bowling advice during his spell. It seemed to work as he took two wickets including another outstanding catch from “Buckets” Bob Keogh however it was not enough.

I am not sure that gentleman was bought many beers after by his teammates. It was comical that some of the team only realised with a few overs to go that we actually needed to take all wickets to win the game in this format to groans and questioning of why we were here. At one stage Banstead needed 35 and the Plough needed 4 wickets, it was pointed out that India won from that position not too long ago however Plough were unable to replicate the feat.

Ultimately another hard-fought and tight contest with Banstead (last time they won by a run) and a lovely day of cricket in beautiful weather.

Match report from Yanni Baveas