Knockers Vs Tenterden

Lose :: Played on Sunday 4th June 2023

Tenterden
288-6

Knockers
267-10

Match Report

Knockers assembled in glorious sunshine at a Tenterden ground that promised runs in one of the few timed games left in the Knockers’ calendar. A flat-looking wicket with a green top and fast outfield had the merry bunch excited at the prospect of the glory befitting of a true Knocker.

The captains came together to head to the centre with the negotiations beginning before the first stride from the pavilion steps had been completed. As the strains of ’Didn’t you bat first last year’ and ’Lovely day to bowl first’ faded into the distance the Knockers looked on expectantly. Eventually Captain Marsh conceded that a toss was necessary and although the body language hinted otherwise, it was time to don the whites and head into the field. It seemed only at this point did the realisation dawned that we didn’t have a recognised keeper in the team. Captain Marsh again acted decisively, leading from the from front, he manfully picked up the gloves, and told Akhers he’d have to take his place when he fancied a bowl. It was unanimously decided that all keeping fines be allocated to Oli Boreham for his wilful absence from the field of play.

George opened the bowling with good pace and tight lines supported from the other end by Akhil with flight and movement to get knockers off to a flying start, restricting the home side to just 49 in the first 10 overs. A few sharp chances had come but none could be taken, including a tricky take behind the stumps which will be chalked up as drop from Oli Boreham.

First change came, bringing in Kuts to bowl towards the pavilion. Toiling hard as always but despite good line and length keeping the run rate down, never seeming entirely happy with his rhythm. From the other end, Ziggy was in fine form with his trademark flight keeping the bat busy. It wasn’t until the 16th over that the breakthrough came, Ziggy tossed one up and their opener gave it a big push only to find Neil comfortably taking the catch on one knee in the covers.

Depleted of vital sugars, drinks were taken and with a new spring in their step, Knockers set about the task, with the mix of moonballs and flat darts of S. Landers replacing the tiring Kuts and Jeff replacing Ollie behind the stumps. The refreshments had done their job, Scott’s second ball was played onto his stumps by the newest bat. As so often happens, one brings two, or three, with Ziggy claiming the second opener LBW, followed two balls later by their number 5, bowling him without him troubling the scorers.

Knockers looked on top but talk of restricting the home team to under 200 then started to look a little premature as bats 4 and 6 settled into their stride and began scoring more prolifically. The Prof came on and like the serpent in the Garden of Eden offer temptation in the form of loopy, slow and straight balls in the hope of a miscue going to a man in the deep. Unfortunately, with a speed akin to Adam and Eve being ejected from the Terrestrial Paradise, the ball was dispatched repeatedly over the heads of the onlooking fielders into the grasses next door. A sharp caught and bowled opportunity was offered up to Scott, but unfortunately it didn’t drop into a firm hand, instead being blocked by a softer, dangly collection of objects. While the first 20 overs saw only 100 runs, the next 100 came up in less than 10.

Then the moment the crowd had waited for, the belated entrance of O. Marsh to the bowling attack complementing the ever-reliable Neil Dave who was showing good line and length but getting little reward. Off his now familiar shortened run up Ollie caused trouble straight way, before unceremoniously removing the off stump of their big hitter from the last ball of his first over to make it 220 for 5 in the 31st. When another inspired bowling change brought Jay into the attack for the third first-over wicket of the innings, the oppo had progressed to 288 off 39 and decided to call it a day.

A fine tea was taken and although the target of 289 set a fair challenge, the collected Knockers felt confident that there were runs to be had on a flat deck that had shown few surprises. Batting order negotiations were completed, which saw Ziggy promoted as high as opener, before the extent of swollen fingers became clear, and he fell to the other end of the order. Cementing his place as a Knocker’s all-rounder George opened the batting as well as the bowling, alongside Jay. Remaining Knockers settled on the terrace hoping to watch a flamboyant batting display while Ollie was forming an unlikely bromance in the scorer’s hut.

Scoring started slow, with both feeling out the strength of the oppositions bowling attack. Unfortunately, soon the desire to progress to the target got too much for George. A big heave didn’t connect and Knockers saw their first wicket fall with a knocked back middle stump. M. Landers called to duty and ready to serve. Jay was starting to find his touch with a couple of sumptuous boundaries, before the same fate befell him to the same bowler leaving knockers 12-2 in the 6th over.

This brought JT to the middle somewhat quicker than expected and before the full details of his catalogue of debauchery from the night before could be completed. Calm, steadying innings were need and Matty and JT were just the men for the job. Both set about the work of building the knockers score with some glorious stroke play. Just as he was settling, one failed to connect properly and Matt was sent back to the hutch, caught for a well worked 20 that deserved to be more. The Prof appeared, seemed to completely forget the aim of cricket is to protect the stumps and was bemoaning this bloody annoying game before anyone had really noticed. 51 for 4 off 12 with the witching hour of 6.30 fast approaching.

The crowd hushed as Akhil ’Jeff’ Anand strode to the crease. If the Knockers ever needed a strong middle order performance it was now, and the pairing of JT and Jeff didn’t disappoint. The next 6 overs saw the 100 up with JT notching up a superb 50. A big score beckoned longingly, but this love was unrequited as George’s finger was raised to give JT out LBW having scored 54 with 185 still needed and only a few overs before the last 20.

The next few overs with Akhil and Scott saw the score slowly creep up, but as 6.30 came, the countdown began with only 110 on the board. Having settled, the sense of urgency to get the score moving kicked in. Overs that went for 15 11, 17 and 11 followed in quick succession bringing the sort of progress needed to chase down the total set. After the rocky top order, the team in the pavilion start to believe again. Jeff passed 50 with 12 overs left, while the pair kept the run rate at a healthy 8 an over. With 5 overs left and an already record sixth-wicket partnership standing at 132 an uncharacteristic chance was gifted to mid-off and Scott departed for a potentially match-turning 44.

The tail needed to wag if the target was to be met, while Jeff had his steely gaze on the twin glory of his first 100 for the club (first 100 ever?) and a famous Knocker’s victory. Unfortunately, rather than wagging, the tail more rolled over and asked for its belly to be tickled. First Kutner then Neil succumbed to first ball ducks. Ollie defended the hat-trick ball before effortlessly dismissing good bowling for successive sixes, the sort of hitting that would be needed if Knockers were to make it home.

Hopes were raised and although 31 off the last 12 seemed challenging still, the team had faith. With every run needed, Ollie set off to get a single from a short punch square. ’Yes’, ’No’, ’Yes’, ’No’, ’NO!’. Like many who have batted with him before Ollie was stranded, in middle of the wicket, with only the thoughts of what might have been to consul his ignominious demise. This left Jeff, on 99 and Ziggy gingerly holding his bat with his swollen fingers with 21 needed for glory from the final over.

With no time for playing in, Ziggy swung. The crowd gasped. And mid-off scooped a regulation catch. All over with Jeff stranded on 99 not out, with all players generously applauding an innings that deserves to live in Knockers legend for years to come.

JM

 

Batting

Batsman	How Out	4s	6s	Runs
Jayatheerth Seetharaman	bowled	2	0	10
George Randell	bowled	0	0	0
Matt Landers	caught	4	0	20
James Thompson	lbw	11	0	54
John Mitchell	bowled	0	0	0
Akhil Anand	not out	15	0	99
Scott Landers	caught	5	0	44
Christian Kutner	bowled	0	0	0
Neil Dave	bowled	0	0	0
Ollie Marsh	run out	0	2	16
David Bowen	caught	0	0	0

 

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
George Randell	5.0	0	26	0
Akhil Anand	5.0	0	23	0
Christian Kutner	5.0	0	24	0
David Bowen	7.0	0	36	3
Scott Landers	5.0	0	65	1
John Mitchell	3.0	0	35	0
Neil Dave	4.0	0	52	0
Ollie Marsh	4.0	1	10	1
Jayatheerth Seetharaman	1.0	0	11	1