Scorecard

St Albans Cricket Club 3XI v Bentley Heath on Sat 22 May 2010 at 1.00pm
St Albans Cricket Club Lost 5 wickets

Match report St Albans lost the toss and were invited to bat by Bentley Heath on a warm day at the SLCG. Despite losing Adam Hounslow early on, the dynamic, dimunitive duo of Christie and Ferguson batted sensibly in adding 68 runs without undue concern against a disciplined bowling attack supported by keen if somewhat voluble fielding. Run making was not easy and was not helped by a slow running outfield; Mr Outfield Groundsman lower your mower, if you please. Captain Eames followed shortly after Ferguson's dismissal which bought spinning all rounder Marriott to the crease and he entertained the somewhat sparse attendance to a better than a run a ball 50. It was left to Christie and young Goweresque, batting prodigy, Tom Bowskill to push onto the 185 and 8 batting points before a declaration one over short of the maximum 53. St Albans had batted with care and no little skill in setting a target of 186 to win off 48 overs.

Now a game of two halves cannot of course be applied to the fine and noble game of cricket but as this is the summer of the silky shorts kickaball fest in Southern Africa please forgive the intemperate use of the soccer term; as on this occasion it is most apposite. St Albans were simply several degrees below the required standards in the field. Despite a fine catch by Hay to dismiss Heath's ever loquacious opening bat, this did not ignite the performance for which Saints were seeking. The bowling had neither penetration nor patience as a total of one maiden in the entire innings made apparent. The fielding was at best indifferent, including some very relaxed attempts to pressurise the singles that Heath's batsemen were happy to take at leisure. This combined with the generous supply of "four balls" meant that Saints gave Heath a comfortable journey towards their winning target.

Heath were comfortably the better team and Saints' shortcomings must not detract from an impressive performance from the promoted team. Their bowling was uniformly consistent and disciplined and Hubbard's fine 92 was an excellent example of how to punish the loose ball and to pick out fielders who were "on their heels" of which there were unfortunately too many to choose.

It is now the time for all of Saints players to decide whether this week's fielding performance and last week's batting performance against Radlett are indicative of their genuine level or as most presume are they the low points from which they will learn and climb the table to a position befitting their talents and potential. Bring on Boxmoor and let us learn more.

St Albans Cricket Club 3XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 4 wickets
0
185		        
Adam Hounslow Bowled  7
Steve Ferguson Caught  38
David Christie Not Out  52 1
Michael Eames Caught  6
Simon Marriott Stumped  50
Thomas Bowskill Not Out  7
John Webber   1
Charlie Bowskill  
Christian Hay   1
Hamaad Basir  
Amit Garg   1

Bentley Heath Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Bentley Heath Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
186 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

St Albans Cricket Club 3XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Charlie Bowskill9.003200.003.56
John Webber4.0016116.004.00
Hamaad Basir5.1028128.005.42
Amit Garg8.0046223.005.75
David Christie5.011400.002.80
Simon Marriott8.0035135.004.38

  • Umpire :
    Mr Barry Atkinson I believe
  • Scorer :
    Usual suspects