TDM Burleigh’s XI

Match Report

The sun shone at Wellesley House, sucking the moisture out of a green top, offering substantial movement in the air and off the seam, leaving bowlers in control and batsmen bemused. Inserted by Tim, the Stragglers lost early wickets once again, leaving Louis Glyn Williams (37) a lone figure resisting the onslaught. Ashley Cox did not concede a run to the bat until his 6th over! Patience was the order of the day, and, unusually for the Stragglers, the middle order dug in and began to grind out a score. Lunch came and went at 76 for 4 off 32 overs; the 38th over finally saw three figures in the board. Graham Tyndall (48) and Jonathan Neame (25) held on until conditions began to ease, and the rate made it to over 3. With tea looming, and the TDMB XI having been in the field for 58 overs, Nigel finally relented, declaring on 218 for 9. The big question was around the generosity of the declaration.

A brief burst of fire from Graham and Louis kept the openers at bay for a few overs, but the conditions had improved, the track was true enough, the ball had stopped swinging, and the Straggler change bowlers could not exert sufficient pressure. A couple of wickets fell in the 70s, but all that did was bring together father and son, Stafford and Ashley Cox. Between them they put the wilting attack to the sword, taking advantage of some wide open spaces, romping along at over ten an over. The coup de grace was duly administered with a 6 into the trees over square leg, leaving 8 overs unused.