Charlton Down 04/08/24

After losing the toss, the wanderers were asked to bat in a 35 overs contest. For a reason we are still not sure about, the match was played on the artificial strip. Ben opened the batting and looked solid. PW was the other end and although he played the straight ball well, he did not threaten the scorers often. It was Ben (9) who was first to fall, playing down the wrong line to a straight ball (12-1, 5). PW (2) fell soon after bringing Skipper in to join Tommy (20-2, 8). Despite a strong batting lineup, some rebuilding was required to get the innings back on track. Tommy was finding the gaps in the field – running Skipper ragged! Skipper got into form with a cover drive for four and then a pull for six. While these two were at the crease, the run rate increased. It was a shock when Skipper (31 from 29) holed out to mid-wicket just before the drinks break (81-3, 17). Charles came in and was leaving well and looking in control, until Tommy ran him out without score (98-5, 21). Leo was straight into scoring, making Tommy run hard between the wickets and hitting some classy boundaries. It was the slow bowler that got through Leo’s (21 from 11) defence (138-5, 24). Mike H (2) also fell bowled back in his crease to the slow bowler (150-6, 26). Harry came in and played well, pushing the ball to all parts of the ground. It was the loss of Tommy (89), again trying to play over the top, that put the brakes on the innings (176-7, 29). Foz joined Harry until Harry was caught leaving James to hit some runs with Foz to leave the Wanderers 209-8 in the 35 overs. Skipper provided tea as Charlton Down do not offer that.

Mark opened the bowling from the Pavilion end with Foz at the other end. Foz’s first ball got some extra lift rising above off-stump but was still called a wide in customary fashion! The left-handed home skipper looked to be in good form until Mark, bowling across him, got an outside edge which Skipper held onto diving in front of first slip position (50-1, 7). The scoring rate was impressive and was a cause for concern. Leo replaced Foz (0-26) and took a wicket when Harry held onto a chance at mid-off in the next over. The scoring rate dropped with Leo (1-14) and Charles (0-17) difficult to score runs from. Harry (3-29) bowled a good spell, allowing the ball some flight but not able to get much turn on the plastic surface. A full delivery was missed by the batsman taking top of off-stump and then Leo held a catch to give the Wanderers the momentum. With the playmaking batsman retiring when he reached 50, James (1-28) had a spell from the Pavilion end taking a deserved wicket with Foz holding a catch close in. Harry was again in the mix with another delightful delivery taking top of middle stump. PW (0-14) had an expensive over being punished for lack of line and length. Ben (1-16) picked up a wicket with Leo again the catching fielder. Tommy (0-10) provided some flight and nearly success – Charles avoiding a rocket coming at him at mid-wicket! Leo was unlucky with a chance that fell just short of him. Mark came back to try to force the game, but the batsman had taken control and looked comfortable with their 3-wicket victory.

MOM: Harry – a potent threat with the ball.

Catch of the day: Skipper off Mark to get the first wicket of the innings.

Quote of the day: Can we stop asking the umpire to call wides off the first ball each week please