U11 County Cup Final!

U11 County Cup Final - Vs Harrow St Mary’s CC
July 31st 2022, Wembley CC

Off we go, here it is. The County Cup Final against Harrow St Marys. Questionable location, heard a few worrying stories about the pitches here. And on closer inspection we can see why - large holes and bare earth at one end, that will be very variable bounce and turn not to mention dangerous for the players. After a bit of a trek I’d got the chairs and set up sorted but mine’s gone missing now - Jason’s extended family, from various parts of the UK, look suspiciously comfortable and well provided for. But given the Glasgow accents I think I’ll let it be and go and get another one. And Julian’s made an appearance, an auspicious sign!

Finchley won the toss and elected to bat, weather is overcast, warm with a little drizzle, so we can look forward to some movement in the air as well as off the pitch. We’ve got a strong team and Aarav Patel and Rayaan Alibhai to open, nice block first ball but then a couple beat the bat – the opposition look serious. But four byes through the keeper, that’s useful. A miscommunication on the run, thankfully the fielder throws to the wrong end and Ray gets back, could have been close though. And Aarav chips one to point, the ball was very quick, and that’s out, caught. Looks like it’s going to be a tough day at the office. Rishi Mehta to the crease - a nice partnership between these two would be great, but we can’t expect it every time, they’ve scored so many runs between them this season. 6 for 1 after the first over. An LBW appeal not given, but a lot of balls beating the bat in the second over. 10 for 1 after 2, with wides and byes keeping the scoreboard ticking, not a lot of bat on ball at the moment.

18 for 1 after 4 and their star bowler Ishaan Adatia’s up next, a lot of chat about this lad - fast apparently. But a nice single off his first from Ray. Need these two to settle in a bit. Beautiful clip off the thigh from Rishi, first four off the bat. Very nice. Over safely negotiated and five runs off it, solid. 24 for 1 off 5.

Ray opens his shoulders and cuts for 4. Fast outfield, it’s so dry everywhere, one of the driest Julys on record apparently. I remember 1976, but I think this year is worse. Another wide ball, that’s about 5 already, all helps. And Rishi opens the face to glance one down to third man for another 4. With some sharp running, its 38 for 1 off 6, great start so far. Woody’s getting tense on the sidelines though, he’s properly invested in this game now. Great over from their lad, only 2 runs off it and its 40 for 1 off 7. Now what’s tuis the umpire’s called out a penalty in favour of the bowling side, so they will start their innings with 5 runs - what was that for, running down the wicket? Seems a bit harsh, was there a warning? It’s not the IPL. We’d best be in good behaviour on the boundary too, we could all be in trouble, this guy looks serious. But if we lose this game by a few runs, well there may be an inquest…

After some pressure and a dry spell runs-wise, it’s a wicket, Rishi clean bowled from a fast one, out for 14 and its 44 for 2 off 9. Sachin Tibarewala’s in next. Bit of push and run, some stronger hitting from Ray…that would do the job. Risky second run off a nice shot to square but he’s safe. 48 for 2 off ten, need some acceleration. I think we’d take 120/130 at this stage, that would be a competitive total on this pitch. Long way to go though. Game’s gone a bit quiet and there’s more action in the side game - Jake’s little brother has the bat, with Leo and Seyan bowling at him. Looks like he has potential, their ball’s lost in the hedge already after a big hit. Better get him signed up.

Beautiful drive to mid-off from Ray, runs away for four. Then he pulls one to mid-on, another 4 - a bit uppish but safe. Ray moves to 20 off 30 balls and the score to 62 for 1 off 12. But Sachin’s out, looked like he’d cut it to backward point but it’s hit the off stump, and its 64 for 3 off 13. Elliot Kennedy’s in next, so the pressure’s all on Jason now - can he handle it? All those years of commitment, coaching, investment, let’s see if it pays off.

Full toss from the new bowler, cut to square for 4 by Ray. But the umpire’s walking over, having a word with a Middlesex official - this looks serious, what’s going on? More running on the pitch? Middlesex guy looks unimpressed though. They’ve given us a pitch that has been prepared with a rotavator, assisted by the local rabbits who have been scoping out and doing test digs for their next warren - do they really think a bit of running on it will make a difference? It’s no further penalty but a distraction for the players, unnecessary really. 75 for 3 off 14.

Spinner’s on next, if he can pitch it in that rough he’s in business. But first ball a bit short and lofted to cow corner for 4 from Ray, that’ll send a message. He’s moved to 36 off 40. Three more off a misfield, Ray’s opening up now. Some comedy fielding and the running continues, 89 for 3 off 15. Some debate on the boundary about where Ray gets those long legs from, doesn’t look like the core Alibhai gene pool. Questions being asked…

Beautiful cut for 4 from Elliott, who has just dropped his bat while running - do you have to have your bat with you to be in? Apparently so. Its 100 for 3 off 16, this is looking good now, Elliot’s hit 10 off 8. Their danger bowler is back, he’s marking his run like a caged tiger. But first ball wide. Then a swing and a miss, he’s fast. And he’s got another over left. 103 for 3 off 17. Cut to square from Elliott, and dropped. Single run. Swing and a miss from Ray, ‘keep your shape’ is the call from Woody. Who’s tucking into the beers…just saying. 106 for 3 off 18, great death bowling you have to say, no runs coming. 120 is looking optimistic. Two overs left. And Elliot’s bowled, this guy is too quick. Brave from Elliott, and Nico Ponzoni Kirkham to the crease – he has a hairline fracture to his thumb but has it strapped up, he’ll be fine. Did it last week during the regionals. Cut to square, lovely hit, but miscommunication and a run out, Ray’s gone for 39, that was unlucky, they have t push now of course.

Swing and an edge from Jake, and a no ball. Then cut to square for 2 more. This is great. 112 for 5 off 19. One to go. Nico’s on strike. Swing and a miss. Single. And a pull for 4 from Jake, fantastic. Where’s David, gone for more beer? And he’s out, had to go for the big hit, clean bowled. Nice little cameo. Matias Gura in for the last few balls, that’s a tough gig. And Nico’s run out, they had to go for the run, two balls left. Unlucky. Two off the last ball and we finish on 119 for 7 off the 20. Good, but will it be enough? Feels 10-15 short but we’ll see.

Quick turnaround, which catches me out on a trip to the bar (non-alcoholic beverages only) and first 2 overs from Rishi and Jake Schapkaitz yield 10 runs. Rishi looking quick, avoiding extras will be important - but a nice pull round the corner goes for 4. 120 to win doesn’t feel enough, we’re going to need wickets and something special from our bowlers here. The openers look like they can play a bit - apparently they’re both Middlesex batsmen. 17 for none off 3, and the mood on the boundary is a bit subdued despite some very relaxed picnics and beers. Good over from Jake, just 4 off it, and its 21 off 4. A few tight overs and a couple of wickets could change the game, scoreboard pressure and it gets hard. And a wicket from Aman Raja’s next ball, clean bowled…come on Finchley! Great over and its 26 for 1 off 5.

Nearly a run out, that was close, a quick throw from Jake just misses. Rishi’s third over, really tight, looks like they’re just seeing him out. Just 2 runs from it, 28 for 1 off 6. Behind the rate, whisper it, but very early days and they can catch up quickly. Time for another wicket… and thank you, clean bowled by Aman for his second wicket, predicted by yours truly. I should turn my attention to the national lottery. Pulled to Sachin at square - dropped! Unlucky, then a direct hit nearly gets the run out. It’s all happening. And Aman gets his third, clean bowled. Wow, wow. Game on. Beats the bat…but a wide. Great over though, 31 for 3 off 7. Judah Ndukwe to bowl. This is going the be tense…

Cut to square, throw from Elliott…close, that was almost a run out. And Judah gets one clean bowled, that was awesome! 4 down. Can’t believe this, but I should, having watched this team all season. Great keeping from Aarav as Judah beats the bat again. Appeal for lbw - given! Do we forgive him the 5 run penalty? Not quite… 5 down, this is turning into a rout. 33 for 5 off 8. Push for a single, sharp pick up and throw - out? No, just in. That was great fielding. One lifted to mid-on, dropped, that was a tough chance. Great fielding from Judah prevents the run, just 2 taken. Aman beating the bat again. No ball from Judah, then a great comeback, but the games gone a bit quiet, 41 for 5 off nine, still a way to go. Great shot from the batsman, pulled to mid-on for 4. Careful now, we don’t need a partnership to develop. The match ball is lost under the hedge, and after a 5 minute hiatus interspersed with some spicy Moondals* from the FCC local caterers (absolutely delicious) we’re back in the game. 55 for 5 after 10.

Good partnership developing here, couple of nice fours, balance of the game is changing again. Need to get this opener out. 67 for 5 off 11. 27 extras, that’s too many. Elliot to bowl, getting tense now. Pulled to square, a very unlucky bounce and its 4. Another good over for the batting side, 10 off it. 75 for 5 off 12. Really, really need a wicket. Pull for 4 to square leg. Jake’s into the attack pulled to square first ball past Nico’s dive, four. This Harrow opener has some quality. Two dot balls, that helps. LBW shout, not given. Great comeback by Jake after the first ball, but its 93 for 5 after 14.

Nico into the attack now, and I’m nervous. They need 27 off 6 overs, we need wickets. But a great over by Nico, just 2 from it, its 95 for 5 off 15. And a wicket ball - Jake, you beauty! What an over, beating the bat, LBW shout, its 95 for 6 off 16. Great fielding from Aryan Bavishi prevents the 4, two run, but a wide and a single. And smashed for 4, this is going away from us quickly now. 107 for 6 off 17. Rishi to bowl his last over, good call otherwise the game is gone. It’s deadly quiet on the boundary. LBW shout, not given. Talk of those 5 runs for the penalty, will they prove decisive? Great over this though. LBW shout, not given but its caught at backward point by Elliott, amazing, the umpires are discussing - and out! 7 down, 11 needed off 12 balls. Nico to bowl, I can’t take this. Skied catch, drops between 3 fielders, so unlucky – that could have been the game, 2 run. But next ball lofted for 4, then an LBW shout and two runs. And finally pulled for 4. Game over, we lost by 3 wickets, but what an effort. Looking at the scorecard they had one batsman score 63, one score 20, all the rest were 4,0,0,0,0,0 and 0 not out. On any other day this was our game. All our team contributed, and with a little bit of luck (and no 5-run penalty…) this could have been very different. But we’re so proud of these boys, they have done themselves and Finchley Cricket Club proud too. It was a great game and a great day out. And we still have the League Cup semi-final to come – onwards!

*Apologies for any misspelling, whatever they were they were delicious!