Match Report vs Barry Wanderers 13 September 2020 @ Hayes Point (Skipper Will, report Jim)

The typical late resurgence of hot weather in September had arrived as the Cazh travelled to Hayes Point to take on Barry Wanderers. The pitch was flat and dry, with outfield short and green – a good day for cricket then! Whilst the result of the toss is unknown to this reporter, Will had announced that he would elect to field if he won and, given the fact the Cazh were fielding first, the kind thing to do would be to say Will won the toss, rather than being the useless tosser he had been all season!

Goffy opened up the bowling from the car park end and managed to find early swing and a lively bounce, allowing him to tease the outside edge. New Casual Naren, meanwhile, started from the other end and, after his first few overs were delivered in true Cazh fashion (e.g. varying line and length), he would take the first wicket, the opener caught at square leg by calamity Tim, making his first appearance of the season. The next man in didn’t last long either, strangely leaving a straight delivery from Goffy that took out his off stump.

The other opener and the number 4 batsman saw off Goffy and Naren’s opening spells, rotating the strike well and finding gaps to exploit the small boundary. Steveo entered the fray, and showed what had clearly been missing in the last few games, as he took the next wicket, the number 4 batsman, in his first over. This brought in the number 5, who should have been back in the shed soon after, with Patrick tempting him to sweep a wide delivery and quite obviously gloving the ball to be caught behind by James. All the Cazh appealed, James particularly viciously, yet the batsman didn’t walk and the umpire clearly didn’t know. Not out, a decision that would have big implications for the remainder of the game.

The pair built a big partnership, hitting gaps, finding the boundary regularly and edges/poorly timed shots just evading fielders. The Cazh, in true style, didn’t help themselves, with fielding mistakes helping the total grow. Steveo, Patrick, Foxy, Tim, Richie and Will all toiled away, but couldn’t find the breakthrough or keep the run rate down. As the score neared 200, Cazh heads getting lower, Rob finally broke the partnership, trapping the non-walker for a crystal-clear LBW, departing for 90. The opening bowlers returned and both found success, Goffy trapping the number 6 batsman LBW, Naren bowling the opener for a very good 95 and catching the number 8 off his own bowling. Innings finished at 268-7 off the 40 overs.

Goffy 8-0-45-2
Naren 8-0-28-3
Steveo 4-0-29-1
Patrick 5-0-32-0
Foxy 2-0-15-0
Tim 3-0-31-0
Richie 3-0-30-0
Will 4-0-22-0
Rob 3-0-24-1

Catches: Tim, Naren (ct&b)

After the customary homemade (or Tesco bought) tea, Pabs and Rob were sent out to open the batting and set the Cazh on their way to chasing the huge target posted. Two slow looking bowlers opened up, but no risks were taken as the opening partnership reached 50 in the 15th, which had included Rob whacking a 6 over cow corner, something not too often seen! The first wicket would fall, however, Pabs being run out for 22, pushing one too many singles. Rob would follow not long afterwards, being honest and walking for 17 after a faint nick to the keeper that Goffy wasn’t going to give. Drinks were taken with the score at 73-2 off 20 overs.

Will and Naren were steady in trying to build the run rate, creating a partnership of 34 before Naren was caught going for a big shot on 9. Richie was next in to support the skipper and again looking to get runs on the board. Both started to find the boundary well and took the score to 136, before Richie was bowled for 24 in the 34th over. Will departed in the next over, missing out on his 50 being caught at cover-point. Patrick and James saw off the rest of the innings, both finishing with red inkers, as the innings closed on 164-5 off their 40 overs. A respectable total in many games, but unfortunately 104 runs short in this one.

Pabs ro22
Rob ct17
Will ct46
Naren ct9
Richie b24
Patrick no8
James no9

DNB: Steveo, Tim, Foxy, Goffy

Result and in-play incidents aside, the game was played in a great spirit on a cracking day for cricket! Discussion afterwards turned to the resumption of the football season, F1 incidents, and the likelihood of getting one last game in before the strangest of seasons would come to an end.

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