This was the first meeting between Superstars and my occasional Sunday team,
the gin-infused Hendrick's XI. Despite heavy rain for much of the afternoon, both teams arrived to glorious sunshine at
the Abbey Rec micro-climate. Barry won the toss, and ignored Steve's Nasser-esque advice (see video) and elected
to field.
This was Hendrick's first game of the season, and their rustiness showed
with the bat. The first over saw the Hendrick’s opener Tim (2) run out in a calamitous mix-up. Over the next couple of
overs Hendrick's batsmen continually chipped the ball in the air to fielders, seemingly able to pick out Vijay
with unerring accuracy. James R and Josh (both 7) played a couple of nice shots, but the rest of the batting order folded
with ease to 27-6. Accurate bowling saw Frankland (3-15), Plahe (1-10) and Taylor (1-8) rewarded with wickets.
Hendrick's threatened a comeback, with Ed hitting out early on. However, they
suffered a further loss when Ravi (1) was unlucky to be well caught by Reeve off the bowling of Thomson (1-21) in the covers.
Your correspondent had strategically positioned himself down the order, and was able to indulge his affinity for blocking
and leaving while Ed scored some runs, before the latter retired with the score on 61. Number 10 Henry and James H nurdled
the score along to 91, constrained by some tight bowling in the middle overs by Forman (0-10) and Spry (0-24). Neither
Henry (7) nor Aj (0) could keep out dangerous death bowling from Reeve (1-12) or Vijay (1-0), so Ed (29*) and
James H (32*) returned to the crease to deliver Hendricks to a score of 103-9, along with a degree of
respectability and perhaps even a little momentum.
Vijay and Diwakar opened the batting for Superstars in response,
facing some tight opening bowling by Ed (1-12). The bowling from the other end was more wayward – Ravi conceded
5 wides from his first over, while the runs flowed from first change James H's bowling (0-26). With Ed pinning
Diwakar (2) LBW, and Meyler (2) run out following some ambitious calling by Vijay and sharp fielding by Qas,
the game was in the balance with the score on 36-2 off 7 overs and Vijay retired (25*).
Henry (0-11) replaced Ed and gave little away in a mean spell,
while James R (0-19), Qas (0-17) and a returning Ravi (0-18) were all able to find their groove with the ball.
However, some aggressive hitting by Reeve (27 retired), and sensible batting by Forman (19*) and Taylor (10*)
was able to see Superstars comfortably home by 8 wickets with a minimum of fuss. A comfortable win for Superstars,
but an enjoyable game – congratulations to Vijay for his man of the match award.