Scorecard

Ware 2XI v St Albans Cricket Club 5XI on Sat 10 Jun 2023 at 13:00
St Albans Cricket Club Lost by 7 wickets

Match report The 5XI travelled to Ware hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season. Winning the toss the Ware skipper elected to bowl much to the surprise on many due to the scorching conditions. With a few of the St Albans team delayed due to a car breakdown causing a few late changes to the batting order Fin McNab and Ian Curtis walked out to bat. On a picturesque village ground the openers settled into their batting whilst the rest of their side settled down on the sofas and armchairs The pair got St Albans off to a solid start on a slow pitch. McNab with his calm approach picking off the bad balls with Curtis Snr looking to go on the attack when he could. The opening partnership was eventually broken by a run out thanks to a sharp throw and keeping rarely seen in Div 11.

Imran came in and tried to up the rate finding the boundary on a couple of occasions before being caught at cover. Jude Berry joined Curtis Snr at the crease and batted with a class and composure that the 5XI and their opponents are becoming very familiar with. Curtis Snr soon went past 50 and began to open his shoulders racing to 80 in a matter of balls. With a century in sight Curtis feathered through to the keeper departing for a well made 89. The wicket brought Curtis Jnr to the crease who immediately found the gaps and looked to take St Albans to a decent score.

Berry batted well for 21 before getting a good ball from the returning opener. Curtis Jnr departed in soon brining John Webber and Tom Cocks to the crease. Both contributed to take St Albans to a defendable 218 aided by a brisk cameo from Vikas Narula.

In reply Tom Bentley opened up with his usual pace and hostility. The Ware opener’s approach was a high risk one, riding his luck from the outset and coming down the pitch to all bowling. Vikas Narula opened at the other end looking to bowl wicket to wicket. This was to be a luckless day for St Albans in the field with balls landing just out of reach of fielders. Bentley was able to draw the edge of the aggressive Ware opener but they flew too quickly for any fielder behind the stumps to get a hand on. Bentley eventually got the breakthrough with Tom Cocks taking a good catch after a skied pull. The Ware number 3 came in with a measured and calm approach which was much in contrast to his opening partner who went past 50. Imran Ahmed came on as second change and as usual kept the rate down whilst causing problems. A sharp chance to remove the number 3 went down before Ahmed picked up the second wicket bowled.
St Albans were in the game throughout despite having only been able to pick up 2 wickets. Riley Curtis, Fin McNab and Jamie Coffer all were able to trouble the Ware batsman but to no reward. At the final drinks break a run a ball was needed but the two settled Ware batsmen were able to see them home, although not before Curtis Jnr picked up the third wicket. A tough day in field against a good batting line up but plenty of positives to take going forward

Fineable moments:
The Ware opener for reverse sweeping a 14-year-old and it not working
The Ware opener for reverse sweeping a 14-year-old and it not working for a second time
The Ware opener for reverse sweeping a 14-year-old and it not working for a third time
The Ware opener for reverse sweeping a 14-year-old and it not working for a fourth time
The Ware opener for reverse sweeping a 14-year-old and it not working for a fifth time

St Albans Cricket Club 5XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
3nb 14w 14b 7lb 
for 7 wickets
38
218		        
Iain Curtis ct Carter 89
Fin McNab Run out  7
Imran Ahmed ct Harvey 9
Jude Berry b Carter 21
Riley Curtis b Wallach 10
Tom Cocks Not Out  20 1
John Webber ct D. Compton 16
Andrew Melling b Khan 0 1
Jamie Coffer b D. Compton 0
Vikas Narula Not Out  4
Tom Bentley  

Ware 2XI Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Khan8.0327127.003.38
Carter8.0133216.504.13
D. Compton8.0140220.005.00
Harvey8.0056156.007.00
S. Compton6.013500.005.83
Wallach2.00616.003.00

Ware 2XI Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
4nb 6w 3b 2lb 
for 3 wickets
15
221 (35.4 overs)		     
S. Compton ct Bentley 14
Khan b Ahmed 64
D. Compton ct R. Curtis 57
Harvey Not Out  66
Adam Not Out  3
   
   
   
   
   
   

St Albans Cricket Club 5XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Tom Bentley6.0032132.005.33
Vikas Narula8.003600.004.50
Imran Ahmed8.0028128.003.50
Riley Curtis5.4044144.007.76
Fin McNab4.001600.004.00
Jamie Coffer4.003600.009.00