County U11 Cup - Quarter Final

Wycombe house CC vs Finchley

July 4th 2022

So, onto the county cup having won the divisional one and its across to West London at rush hour. Lovely. But amazingly the traffic wasn’t too bad, I think Tuesday is the new Monday now and everyone is extending their weekends, with Thursday being the new Friday. Not sure I approve. So, despite a short detour on the M4 (sat navs can’t differentiate between parallel roads) and a return trip back down the A4 (how many traffic lights does that road have?) we’re on time. Everyone is here at Wycombe Park and looks like we’re playing on an Astro pitch, that’s not right. We’re surrounded by lovely grass wickets but they’re not for us. There’s an air of nervous tension with a tinge of excitement. No names, but there’s a couple of our lot having a crafty ciggie in the car park. As a reformed smoker who worked 15 years in the tobacco industry (plenty of freebies, they’d be worth a fortune now) I’m jealous, you never really give up.

Finchley win the toss and we choose to bat. First over is fast, several plays and misses. We’re underway - short boundaries, a decent six would go over the hedge into the road. Graham’s umpiring, to ensure some notion of neutrality. Apparently, they can be a bit lively round these parts. He’s quickly into multiple hat wearing mode. Looking good Graham. Aarav Patel and Rayaan Alibhai batting, bit streaky, one edges just past the keeper. Nerves. These bowlers look useful though. Aarav chips one to mid-on - dropped! That’s a sitter and they might regret that. Can’t see a scoreboard anywhere - Jason checks if it’s on Play Cricket. Is Romil scoring? He’s sitting with the opposition, not sure I approve of that either. Talking of Romil, why haven’t my last two match reports been posted?! My fan club are anxiously awaiting.

First boundary to Ray, via a misfield. Play Cricket is still stuck on the first over. Just one run from that one and we’ve moved on a bit. I’m guessing 10-15 now off 3. Nice edge from Ray goes for 4, another misfield, they’re not looking too sharp in the field at the moment. I’ve asked for Play Cricket to be updated and its 22 for none off 3.4. The opposition are doing the live scoring, didn’t seem too impressed I had to nag them. Bit edgy. Ray cuts to square for 4, beautiful. 26 off 4. Ray’s down though, hit in the unmentionables. No one’s going over - Woody doesn’t look interested! Graham wanders over to investigate, and he’s back up. Apparently, Ray came fourth in the nationals for the 100m today, that’s impressive. They’ve driven back down from Nuneaton, long day. Let’s see what his running is like between wickets. I’m guessing he gets his athletic prowess from his mum…

An edge to third man, just falls short. 30 for none off 5. Not looking good for dinner, plan was to stop and get something on the way but the M4 detour scuppered those plans. Nothing on offer here. Tempted to nick Nico’s packed sandwiches…better not. Sweta’s brought a picnic, that looks tempting, and she always wants to feed me…never knowingly underfed, that family. Cut from Ray for another 4. Aarav’s pushed one, in two minds to block or drive, and it drops short of the bowler. Beautiful off drive from Ray for 4 bisects the fielders. 39 for none off 6. Meanwhile, England are up to 256 for 3 chasing 378, Bairstow and Root at the crease. Ticking along nicely here too, 44 for none off 7. Another 4 from Ray, cut to mid-off. He’s in the mood, pumped up after his run, and another 4 driven straight. 55 for 0 off 8 and 65 for none off 9. Half-hearted appeal for LBW, that’s never going to be given. Aarav pulls one square for 4, its lost in the bushes. And another. I’m predicting 180+. But it’s a short boundary and we haven’t seen them bat yet. 10 overs done, mid innings break? 78 for none.

First ball back smashed over cow corner by Aarav for 4. Nonchalant. And another from Ray. Pitches short…you can read Ray’s mind…pulled for 4. And a half century. Brilliant. Even Woody’s noticed him now. And a 6 again to cow corner. Fielder looks on mournfully with hands outstretched but no chance. 97 off 11. That was 19 runs off that over. What’s the retirement strategy today? I’d leave them be. Another 6 from Ray goes the fence now, that’s lost. He’s scored 60 off 37. Awesome. 100’s up. That’s some opening partnership. Apparently, England’s openers today made the fastest ever Test opening partnership for England, but this one’s quicker – and better! Cut to mid-off from Ray, four. And a rare forward defensive for a single. Ray’s on 72 and Aarav 42. They’ve stopped updating Play Cricket again, I’m not going over to ask. Might get a bit tetchy, I don’t think they want to see this score. Updated finally and it’s 120 for none off 13. And a 6 from Ray, that one really is lost, Wonder what’s behind that hedge? Whatever is there is in some danger tonight. Cut to 4 to follow up. Ray’s on 88. And smashed for 6 over the opposition parents, that’s sending a message! He’s up to 94. Just missed another 6, bounced a foot inside the boundary. He’s on 98. And a four for the 100, that is incredible. Awesome. Its 151 off 15. 102 off 51 balls for Ray, that’s 2 a ball. Insane.

Finally, he’s bowled, what an innings, Ray comes off to a standing ovation from everyone present, richly deserved. Rishi Mehta’s in now, could be more fireworks. But no., controversially their umpire has given him out LBW. Consensus is not out, it hit him very high. So, I guess it’s now set up for Rishi to take a 5-for! Sachin Tibarewala is in now, run rate’s slowed a bit, understandably. One of their coaches comes over to congratulate Ray, nice touch that. He does mention that we owe them about 5 balls though since they went over the hedge. 170 off 17. Sachin’s off the mark with a nice 2. Pulled for 4 from Aarav, he’s up to 48. Deserves the half century. 177 for 2 off 8. Nearly a run out, not given by Graham. Bit generous that and Sachin lives to fight another day. They’ve brought their 2 best bowlers back for the death, bit late now though, not sure about that strategy. Last over, 180 for 2. No ball pulled for a single. Aarav gets his 50, well done, fantastic. And the Finchley innings is over, 188 for 2 off 20. Fantastic scoring.

Right, Rishi to bowl, he’s fired up after that LBW decision. Their opener looks about 15, birth certificate check? Coach Rishi has arrived, straight from the office and he’s straight into touchline action. Fielders look sharp, they’re up for this. Great take from Aarav and it’s just one off the bat from the first over. Home team support has been silenced. Sonny Synett to bowl the second, but a wide first ball. Chip to square, nearly a run out from Judah Ndukwe. Then pulled to deep backward square and 4, this batsman looks dangerous. Then a straight drive for 4. 13 for none after 2. But they need 9.5 per over for 20 overs straight. Possible? But now he’s pulled Rishi for a square 4, you don’t see that too often. Jason thinks there’s a big moment coming. I’ve given in to hunger and am eating Nico’s biscuits. Don’t tell him. Looks like this match could get close, its 20 for 0 off 3. Four. Need to keep fielders on the boundary. There’s a bit of tension developing in the Finchley camp. But there’s the moment Jason was talking about – Sonny’s taken one of their openers out, clean bowled. 28 for 1 off 4. He kept his nerve Sonny after a few big hits, great bowling. Judah to bowl, third man is 10 yards behind the boundary rope. He’s quick but maybe not that quick! Four off the first ball. We need rid of the big opener. And, as required, he’s gone, caught at square leg by our centurion. Brilliant. Coach Rishi is seriously fired up now. 28 for 2 off 3. Matias Gura bowling next, chopped to mid-wicket but between the fielders. Great pick up on the boundary from Ray, keeps it to a single. Misfield but just 2 runs. Good over, 35 for 2 off 5. Judah beating the bat at will. Wide ball, well picked up by Nico Ponzoni Kirkham. Jason and I both running low on batteries so need to get through this quickly now. A wide to finish, but no drama. Matias returns, nice slower ball. Smashed for 4 next ball though. Still nervous about this. Amit’s coaching the field furiously from the boundary. Great stop from Aryan Bavishi but an overthrow allows 3. 57 for 2 off 8. Aman Raja to bowl next, left arm over. Required rate’s up to 11 an over. Misfield on the bounce and a 4, sun is tricky now and that was unlucky. 67 for 2 off 9. It’s in the balance. Aryan to bowl and a misfield allows another 4. Tense. And another misfield for 4. And a six. 84 for 2 off 10 and drinks break. We all need that.

Into the home straight now, last 10 overs of the match, and Rishi’s back into the attack. Perfect first two balls… we need a few tight overs here. He’s walking up to the batsman and a bit of chirp. Great stop Aarav, that was quick, and a great over from Rishi brings some control back to Finchley and puts the pressure back on them. 87 for 2 off 11. Sonny to bowl the 12th. Apparently, they said earlier it’s not every day they have a club like Finchley coming here. That’s nice to hear. Unlucky edge for 4. Then pulled for 4. 22 off the over and its 98 now off 12. Nico to bowl. Two wide and a four but decent over. Whatever happens this is amazing experience for these boys. It’s 107 for 2 off 13.

Aman to bowl now, just ones and 2s. Then off the edge for 4, unlucky. Getting very tense but a great over just 7 off it and its 114 for 2 off 14. Nico to bowl and a misfield gives 4. Don’t need that. Slower ball and then a wide - come on Graham, benefit of the doubt! A full toss cut for 4 then nearly a run out. 5 overs left. 61 needed and its 127 for 2 off 15. Judah to bowl, a wide and a single then a no ball. I can’t take this tension! Another wide and a mix up nearly leads to a run out. The overthrow gives 2 more, it’s all happening. Then a straight 4. They’re really in this game now. 50 for their batsman, well done. Rishi’s got them together and is giving a team talk. 4 overs to go and its 143 off 16. Still a big ask but doable. Nico to bowl again, this is a good test for him. 10 off the over but that’s good, below the required rate. 3 overs left and its 153 for 2 off 17. They need 12 an over now. An overthrow gifts a single. 4 runs from 4 balls. And a run out! Great throw from Sachin and great take by Aarav. Game changing? But play is paused, their scorers have a problem and everyone is waiting. This is crazy, just escalating the tension. Dot. Just 5 from that over. Two overs left, 31 needed and Rishi to bowl – that’s a good call. 4 runs from the first 3 balls and 21 needed to win off the last over which Aman will bowl. Everyone’s pacing the boundary now, no one sitting down. Single. Two. Two. 16 needed off 3 balls. Another two and some comedy how have they not run him out? Another two and the last ball, just a single, they finish on 178 for 3 and we win by 10 runs. Awesome, it was really in the balance there, but Finchley have come through, so proud of this team!