22/06/24
MIMCC 189/8 (40 overs)
Corwen 2s 145ao (37.1 overs)
Full stats available here: https://nwcl.play-cricket.com/website/results/6272174
MIMCC win by 44 runs
It’s fair to say that our visit to Corwen last year was a day to forget. Thankfully this year’s trip for the rearranged match up with their second XI was a much more enjoyable day for all concerned.
Despite the overnight rain, the pitch looked a good one. And having won the toss for a second week in a row (!!!!!), the skipper elected to bat first. In the absence of Siv, Abs joined Apples at the top of the order to face Corwen’s opening bowlers who were both extracting movement with the new ball. Runs were difficult to come by initially and with only 5 on the board (all courtesy of extras) Apples was the first to go, spooning a catch to mid on. This brought Aryaman to the crease, who had a couple of sighters, smacked a couple of 4s, and then was out bowled round his legs. This left us in a bit of a precarious position at 14/2 as Sanath came out to join Abs.
A spot of rebuilding was needed and Abs had clearly taken this task to heart. He wasn’t going to be rushed. With the Doyen of the Dot Pete Ford watching on, the apprentice proceeded to show the master how it’s done, dotting 37 consecutive balls before eventually getting off the mark to rapturous applause from his teammates. Abs’ soporific vigil did have the effect of seeing off the opening bowlers however, and it soon became apparent that the change bowling did not carry as much of a threat. This allowed Sanath to start to free his arms and runs started to flow. An excellent partnership of 135 followed with Sanath scoring with characteristic freedom and Abs reaping the rewards of his solidly build foundation (a point he would emphasise to his opening partner several times during the rest of the day….). Things could have been curtailed by an lbw shout against Abs on which Corwen’s keeper very sportingly acknowledged an inside edge (to the relief of the deaf umpire Webster), and an unconventional piece of running between the wickets which saw both batters standing at the same end (thankfully reprieved by a mix up in the field). Sanath eventually departed for a superb knock of 76, somehow treading on his stumps against a man bowling in a hat. Jay and Saboor both came and went without troubling the scorers, with Saboor and Abs staging a reprise of their comedy double act The Hilarious Run Out Brothers to send Saboor to the top of the duck race.
Pictured: Saboor and Abs running between the wickets
By now Abs had passed 50. He would eventually depart for 59, lbw to the man in the hat. The skipper hit a few boundaries before also falling lbw playing around his front pad. It should be noted that I have absolutely no complaints about umpire Ford’s decision (other than the rather poor etiquette of giving one’s captain out lbw). Lalit and Jeremy added a few late on to leave us on final total of 189/8.
After tea, Naseer took the new ball in partnership with Aryaman (the other usual opening bowler being otherwise engaged with some particularly important ironing). Naseer struck early, rearranging their opener’s stumps. Aryaman was also consistently troubling Corwen’s batters, and this would pay off to the tune of 3 wickets, all bowled, in an excellent 8 over spell.
Corwen were 57/4 at this point, and in need of a partnership as Saboor and Sanath (despite his sore shoulder) came on as the change bowlers. Corwen were only interested in dealing in boundaries and started to get a few away to leave them 79/4 at drinks. However the first ball after drinks, their no 6 smacked one from Saboor straight at the skipper at cover who managed to recover from his bout of rubber hands from last week, and actually hold on to the catch.
As the other end, Sanath was extracting prodigious inswing to keep Apples on his toes behind the stumps. Saboor picked up a second in his next over, dismissing their top scorer lbw and leaving him with final figures of 2-34. Jeremy replaced Saboor and thought he had a wicket first ball with Jay taking a catch in the leg side, only for it to be judged a no ball. The wicket did come a couple of overs later however, clean bowled to open Jeremy’s account for the club. At the other end, Euan (in his new incarnation as a off spinner) had replaced Sanath and was landing it in good areas. By now the momentum has gone from Corwen’s innings and they were fortunate to sneak past 140 for the third point. Euan picked up the final 2 wickets, 1 bowled and 1 stumped, to give wicketkeeper Applewhite his first stumping of the season/decade (depending upon who you ask).
12-3 and back to winning ways with good performances with both bat and ball. A very nice way to exorcise the Corwen demons of 2023.