Damazan Cricket Club

Match Report

T20

A very perky Straggler side, captained by Will Attwood, took to the field at Damazan CC for the initial T20. Damazan opener, Moby, had clearly modelled himself on Virender Sehwag, and attempted to carve almost every ball hard and high over backward point – and with some success. For a few overs the score rattled along, and a big total seemed in prospect. Toby, opening the bowling, has a knack of getting wickets for other bowlers, bowling like the wind and not being well rewarded; on this occasion Jasper made the breakthrough, and began to slow the scoring momentum. 31 for 1 from 4 became 48 for 3 from 10; Moby (31) carved one too many, having been dropped twice, and Harry Gibson clung on. Damazan stalwart, Mike Gear, was now at the crease, and dug in, certainly not batting as if he had spent the last few weeks watching the IPL. A couple more catches stuck; Al took two in two behind the stumps off Ben Simpson, and the innings drew to a gentle close at 99.

Al opened for the Stragglers with Chris Lark, and made a statement clubbing the first ball to the fence. He was then undone by a quite remarkable one-handed catch in the deep. Shoab seemed to have lost sight of the ball and fallen over, when a long arm reached out to grasp the ball – winner of the day one champagne moment. Patch Clews didn’t last long, bowled the Gagan Singh, Damazan captain and most effective bowler. Chris continued to a steady 24, and the chase was wrapped up by Will Attwood (30*) and Harry Gibson (18*), for a comfortable 7 wicket victory with more than 5 overs to spare, aided by rather too many very wide wides. Tour captain, Patch Mitchell, arrived from his tortuous journey in time for the celebrations.