Knockers Vs Eridge
Lose :: Played on Sunday 18th August 2024Knockers
208-5
Eridge
210-6
Match Report
After the infamous Eridge9 blockbuster last year, the Knockers were able to field a strengthened 10 for this picturesque fixture. Should this sequence continue, in 2036 Knockers CC will be able to field 22 players themselves and thus dispense with any need for an opposition.
Freddie Young took the reins this week to guide the unruly beast of a destructive batting line up and fluent bowling attack. Asked to bat first, the Knockers got off to a flyer, with Ollie Boreham (5) launching an early assault on the Eridge seam attack. The assault did not last long, after middling a thick edge to back ward point who took a blinder of a catch to dismiss Knockers’ answer to Bazball. Documented from square leg by John Mitchell, this gave captain young some early fodder for the newly minted Knockers CC Instagram (@knockerscricketclub).
M. Landers (55) and Calver (32) were watchful on a pitch which lacked any venom but also any manners with some probing questions thrown their way. Ziggy miraculously turned down every LBW which much to the dismay of the opposition, and Mitchell had an easier time reminding the left arm seamer that the ball cannot pitch outside leg stump. Having seen off an awkward 15 overs, Calver first, and then Landers, holed out when the bombs started to drop bringing Spencer-Allen (46) and Henderson (4) to the crease. Finding it hard to get into their rhythm, it was only when Young (46*) showed his class and 360-degree scoring ability that the run rate stuttered to something more respectable. Ziggy (12*) did his best to dead bat the final few overs but even he had a score a few begrudging runs to give Knockers a defendable total of 208.
Tea was a strong offering, with a debut for chorizo sandwiches, a first for the team. Pleasantries were exchanged and the sprinkling of families around the ground including a welcome Spencer-Allen squad made for a particular English afternoon.
The defence of the total started well, with Randall (8-0-29-2) bowling some unplayable deliveries in between some very playable ones. The pitch still had some mystery and Eridge were wary to playing too aggressively. The notoriously strong second wicket partnership of Eridge, however, hit their stride and Henderson (6-0-32-0) and Randall struggled to find a breakthrough despite falling into a nice rhythm. In an attempt to stem the tide, captain Young turned to Ziggy (8-0-37-2) and Jay (5-0-23-0) in search for answers. The former bowled a magical spell, getting drift and turn. The latter decided that coming around the wicket might pose more problems for the batsman but as it turned out not for the umpire who disdainfully rejected LBW after LBW appeal. Mitchell (3-0-32-0) tried an ariel assault on the crease that was dutifully put away and the game appeared to be out of our reach.
Finally, Ziggy’s work paid off, getting the dangerous Ellis (71) caught at mid off before Boreham’s good glove work secured a hat trick ball offering that went begging. Game on. With about 60 needed off 10 overs, Young (5.2-0-17-1) took control bowling skilfully and tying down one end. Calver (2-0-18-0) was unable to maintain the pressure which led to the generous ‘Craig’ (2-0-6-1) who had agreed to be our 11th fielder coming into the attack. With a key wicket and tidy line, the game went down to the final over. 3 from 6 required with two new batsmen and Young in his stride. A lucky swipe unfortunately was our undoing with a sun setting on a fine afternoon of cricket.
Batting
| Batsman | How Out | 4s | 6s | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Calver | caught | 3 | 1 | 32 |
| Oli Boreham | caught | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Matt Landers | caught | 9 | 1 | 55 |
| Lynden Spencer-Allen | caught | 6 | 1 | 46 |
| Henderson | bowled | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Freddie Young | not out | 6 | 0 | 46 |
| David Bowen | not out | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Jayatheerth Seetharaman | dnb | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| John Mitchell | dnb | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| George Randell | dnb | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Randell | 8.0 | 0 | 29 | 2 |
| Henderson | 6.0 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| David Bowen | 8.0 | 0 | 37 | 2 |
| Jayatheerth Seetharaman | 5.0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| John Mitchell | 3.0 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| Freddie Young | 5.2 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| Richard Calver | 2.0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| To be Replaced | 2.0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |