Damazan Cricket Club

Match Report

Early morning beer had worked well on the day before, so was enjoyed once more. Back to Damazan for a time game, where Gagan Singh generously conceded the toss to allow the Stragglers a chance to bat. And bat they did, or at least a one or two did. Jasper continued his recent form, and set about the Damazan bowling with great power and style, reaching his third century in 14 days, the only Straggler to have scored back to back centuries, to have scored three centuries in a season, and the first to have scored 6 Straggler career centuries. At the other end, Olla Tennant began slowly, but increased the tempo, when he changed bats, and reached a well-deserved 67. When Gagan finally broke through to have Olla stumped, the score was 169 from 27 overs and the fielders were looking weary. Jasper retired on 117, but this only gave Ben a chance to blast 4 sixes from the final over – 227 for 1 declared from 31 overs.

Moby opened for Damazan once more, and his attacking approach was clearly not limited to T20 cricket. With around 40 overs possible, there was time for the chase, but he was in a hurry. In a somewhat streaky innings, with occasional good fortune with umpiring decisions, he smashed his way to 66. Unfortunately, the support from the other end rather melted away. Not all the catches that went to Straggler hands were taken, but possibly the best catch of the weekend removed the likelihood of a real fight, when Gagan hooked a dreadful Patch Clews’ half-tracker flat to the deep fine leg boundary, only to pick out Toby with pin-point precision. Wickets tumbled in a flurry, Patch C with 3 for 25. Moby continued at the other end, but the support was not there. And Alex Reese struck regularly (4 for 21). Highlights in the field included Patch Clews’ opening salvoes (well short of half-way), Harry’s front foot no ball from a two-step run up, and Olla’s throw from mid-off, which went at about 60 degrees from target to be collected at deep mid-on. Ben Simpson finally bowled Moby, and there was a brief hiatus, as the last batsmen stuck around and made the Stragglers wait for victory – the final wicket a nice stumping by Al of Patch M. Jean-Claude remained undefeated. The relative inexperience of some of the younger members of the opposition was highlighted by the enthusiastic signalling from the square leg umpire, while listening to music on headphones.