Hazelbury Bryan 03/09/23

After some beers in the Antelope, the Wanderers were put into the field on a very warm and sunny day. Our hosts started well scoring off anything loose and playing out good balls. Eventually the breakthrough came when Foz got one to pop and Simon took a catch at silly mid-on. The same combination worked again to get the second wicket and the Wanderers were on a roll. Ben was replaced by Ali (0-21) who struggled to find a consistent length and was punished for it. Foz finished his spell with 2-26 and David took over at the playground end with Javal (debut) coming on down the hill. David was straight in with the wickets with one that kept a bit low and took out middle stump. Javal (1-26) was bowling nicely and got his reward when Ali took a good catch. David (2-35) was slightly fortunate with an LBW that could have been high but the Wanderers were in among the wickets. Krishna (debut) came on at the playground end and bowled a good spell without much luck. Ben (2-15) came back and took 2 wickets in an over. Tom took an outrageous one-handed diving catch on the long-on boundary and then Ben bowled an absolute beauty that swung in late to clatter into leg-stump. PW came on down the hill and had the batsmen tied up in knots getting one LBW stood in front of the stumps. Mike Moore was playing for Hazelbury as they were short and the Wanderers (eventually when Big Dog arrived) had 12, although he was not needed to bat. 158-8 from 30 overs was good but could have been much more.

Big Dog opened the innings with Simon and the start was positive. Simon (14) then played a rash shot getting himself in an awkward position and ending up bowled. Ali (17) cracked a few boundaries before he was caught trying to force the tempo. Skipper (13) looked to be steadying the innings with Big Dog, managing to sky a free-hit, before he was caught at mid-on. Tom was playing with style and soon started to find the boundary. Big Dog (28) was eventually bowled but had played an important anchor role. Jawad (14*) played some good shots but also rode his luck on occasions before Tom (48*) finished the run chase with a four to square-leg, after defending a free-hit delivery!

MOM: Tom – stunning catch and class innings

Catch of the day: Without doubt Tom in the deep

Quote of the day: David when seeing a six from Tom “God that’s close to my Porsche”