Shalford 2nd XI v St. James CC

12th May 2007

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Shalford 178-9     St James CC 119-9

Match Drawn

 

E Dack              4

D Smith                 2                                              3 catches               

F Karim                 8              9-1-25-3

R Singh                  51           1-0-3-1                   1 catch

R Pierson              4              8-2-24-0

O Ehsan                 6              5-0-19-2

K Jasavala             3

N Shiraz            26           12-1-46-2              1 catch

A Khan                  1*            4-0-32-1

R Bush                   0              6-0-21-0

S Smith                  0*

 

Saturday morning omens were not good with weather watchers and forecasters predicting no more than a few overs and much dashing to the pavilion, team members were lost on the way and Adil involved in a road traffic incident but a thoroughly entertaining game of cricket ensued extolling the virtue of optimism in the cricket mind.

 

The toss was won by the St. James captain and Shalford put in under gray skies with a blustering wind and 10 men, Adil still placating a lady motorist at a cashpoint, with Robin and Nabeel  delivering the first dozen overs on a lively pitch with a fair amount of low bounce and flashing edges. Shalford scored consistently at 4 an over and losing only 1 wicket. Richard provided a tight spell partnered by Rehal, whose over contained the entire gamut of deliveries and a wicket, and then Ousman whose spell provided 2 more wickets with a fantastic low catch at square leg by Rehal. Adil was now on the field and the keepers pads were exchanged between Faisal and Rehal after drinks. These two then set to attacking the middle order with good success, Adil setting the old long on trap which the Shalford No. 5 fell for, and Faisal providing another bowling performance of  merit bagging 3. Shalford did score steadily and their total could have been higher had not the St. James fielding been of such high standard. Notable in the field was Kermin in the covers, Faisal behind the sticks with only 1 bye for the second week running and young Stan resplendent in club cap running fine leg to fine leg all afternoon. 45 overs were delivered, most catches were held with the backing up tight and as we walked off to enjoy the delight of the legendary Shalford tea the spirits were up and the sun was coming out.

 

Ed and David opened up the St James reply to face a track refreshed by the sun and giving the home side a good deal of bounce to accompany a curious desire to deliver to the leg side. These factors led to Ed’s and Faisal’s early departures and to David skying a top edge perpendicular to his stumps, the keeper unable to make the catch with David rooted to the spot claimed dismissal for deliberate obstruction, although the Shalford skipper refused to countenance the claim it was felt that aggressive shot play was the proper response and David dollied to mid on two balls later. Rehal scored well to the seasons first century but losing partners steadily along the way, only really gelling with Nabeel but with the 50 partnership in their sights both fell playing aggressively, as we were still going for the win, to bring Adil and Richard together with 7 overs left. A gallant show of solid defense followed but Richard fell to the first ball of the last over

 

At this momentous point we can do no better than quote the club scribe who captured the gravity:-

 

A deathly hush fell over the ground as the penultimate batsmen departed.

As the wicketed journey of the final batsman was made, questions over judgements and deliberations passed wordlessly through anguished minds, ashened faces turned to another, casual observers mysteriously appeared ,all seemed aware that the destiny of the 5 hour struggle had fallen ,in Davidic style, on one whose age and batting position were of equal quantity ,a trusty willow replacing  sling. …History appeared in the making !!

The only accompaniment to be heard, apart from the squeak of leather, was the scratching of the scorers pens reverberating from sight screen to sightscreen deafening the waiting adversaries.

Guard taken,'play' called,giants close in for the finish.

The squeaky thud of boots on grass accelerated wicketward ,with leap and rumble of ground, the sizzling cherry dispatched  for its, assumed, last time, mercilessly towards the waiting timbers.

BUT… with newly earned club cap in kit bag and crisp white pad thrust down the wicket , the youthful blade was brought down on the missile returning it with resolution into the pitch .

With redoubled effort and straining muscle the ball was flung down for 3 further times but with the same defiant response.

On the ultimate defended delivery ,a roar arose , hats   in  air ,Goliath was contained… and the match saved,3 cheers for St James……AND…..a new HERO is born

 

 

Stan gave a fine display of solid front foot defense and the young protégé saw out the last of the over, snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat to the cheers of St James and the congratulations of a generous Shalford team.

 

It was another case of St James setting up the game to be taken with good bowling and fielding only to let themselves down with their poor batting, but all the team felt that a real improvement had been made and all looking forward to NPL next week to complete the result curve of loss, draw and win.