St. James CC vs Old Ruts 5XI
31st May 2008
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St James CC 35-10,
Old Ruts 36-2
Old Ruts win by 4 wickets
A. Woolley b 0 2-0-5-0
D. Smith b 9
J. Smith ct 9 4-0-9-0
J. Kleinveldt ct 12 9-2-14-4
K. Jasavala b 0
J. Boyle st 1
S. Smith ro 0
R. Boyle st 1
J. Andrews ct 1
R. Pierson no 0* 4-0-5-2
R. Bush ct 0 1-0-2-0
Todays match report may appear to represent the opposite swing of the pendulum compared to last weeks games
But analysis will prove that it was to be another important learning experience in the St James annals.
Key to the result was a week of heavy rain and overcast skies which left the wickets in a wet state and the outfield partially cut
(It was a reminder of why great attempts are made to get prepared wickets for the season.)
Nevertheless it meant a different approach to batting and would test the all round skills of the St James batsmen
Preparing for such a pitch on the predictable nets surface is very difficult and hopefully awaken the team to the required training necessary
Interestingly the score card reads very much like some score cards of the 1800’s before mechanical means were available for preparing a wicket.
Long innings were required for double figures in some cases and it is not appreciated how hard batsman had to work for their runs.
So on this damp, slow and difficult Norbury wicket, St James lost the toss and were put into bat.
Andrew fell for the first duck of our season as he misjudged a very slow short
ball and played on. Jack and Dave then looked untroubled for ten overs as the
score inched along. It became clear that boundaries would be hard to come by as
the lucious damp meadow of an outfield was very unyielding with little chance of a 4.
Sadly Dave became impatient and misjudged one which came back into him and was bowled for 9.
John Kleinveldt looked solid as ever, despite being dropped at slip. He and Jack
put on 19 runs and before Jack played too early and was caught off a leading
edge. John soon followed caught behind off a good ball and the rot set in.
Kerman played back to a good ball which kept low and was bowled off the pads.
Perhaps a change in the batting order might have steadied the ship at this stage
On came the Old Ruts slow bowlers and both James and Ryan were out stumped attempting great
heaves over mid wicket. The lack of patience was a major factor in the lower order collapse as Ryan ran Stan
out as well. Robin didn’t face a ball as Chris’ grandson from the East Grinstead cricket academy ,Jack Andrews and then Richard
both edged balls to slip to complete a disastrous performance by St James.
But knowing what the pitch was capable of it was decided that attack with our most penetrating bowlers was the best form of defence.
With catchers around the bat Robin found the edge of the Old Ruts opener immediately but Ryan unfortunately
dropped a catch at gully. John Kleinveldt got us going though by clean bowling
the opener in the next over. He picked up their number three soon afterwards
cleverly dropping the ball a bit shorter and tempting the batsmen to swing and
miss. Robin then picked up two wickets in the following over to give us real
momentum (one bowled and one caught by John at silly mid on). John picked up the
new batsmen with a brilliant slip catch from James and St James were sensed that a win could be obtained.
But the two new batsmen were the Old Ruts experienced pair and they managed to calm
things down.
Jack replaced Robin and kept things tight. Sadly we missed a great run out
chance when Robin’s throw was off target and Dave failed to gather it. Poor John
had his hard work let down when he forced the Old Ruts number eight into an edge
which Kerman agonisingly spilt in the gully. Old Ruts edged toward the total and
Dave threw the ball to Andrew. His flight worked nicely and once more a run out
chance was squandered. Again Robin’s throw was off target and Andrew failed to
gather it in time. Richard got through an over before Old Ruts hit the winning
runs.
Despite it only being tea time Old Ruts called it a day, the chase in what were now quite sultry conditions being somewhat tiring!
So at least we gave a good account of ourselves in the field after a lamentable batting collapse.
In fact with more care in the bowling and field placings we were very near an unlikely win
John was clearly our man of the match and James’ slip catch was the champagne moment.
All seemed keen to volunteer for the mid week T20