U11s - FCC vs Primrose Hill

Late as usual running around after my kids. Apparently, I’ve missed some great shots from our openers Elliott Kennedy and Aarav Patel after Primrose Hill won the toss and decided, perhaps unwisely, to put Finchley in. Jason’s not impressed with my late arrival. The bench is in the shade because Romil’s working (he says) and can’t see his screen in the glare - but we should be in the sun! Elliott and Aarav taken us to 43 for no loss. So, if a wicket goes down now it will be my fault, since everything was perfect before my arrival. Aarav’s on a steady 6 but Elliott’s on fire with 32. 47 for none after 8.

50 up with a lovely touch from Aarav, glanced to third man. Just noticed Rishi is umpiring tonight, with Amit scoring, so we might get some LBW decisions! Mind you I think Amit’s still doing his Play Cricket apprenticeship so it probably wouldn’t get recorded anyway. Elliott pulls another for 4, 61 for none after 9, and we’re cruising. Aarav smashes one to mid-off and the fielder stops it with a kneecap - poor technique and he’s down. Magic spray time - thankfully he’s back up again no damage done. 66 for 0 after 10. Looks like we need to retire a batsman! Let Elliott get 50 if he can? But Aarav’s bowled going for a heave so no difficult retirement decision, a fantastic 20 and an opening partnership of 72…great platform!

Elliott is retired for 43 and Sachin Tibarewala and Seyan Patel march to the crease - paparazzi Sam has got the long lenses out. Where do those photos get posted? Seyan’s straight to it with a pulled 4 to square. 9 off the over and 81 for one after 12 then 89 for 1 after 13 with some good running between the wickets. Sachin smashes one for four to mid-on and this game looks under control at 95 off 14, but it has slowed down a bit - 5 byes takes us past the hundred and now we need to accelerate. A spell of tight bowling, 103 after 15, we need another 30 off the last 5 minimum. Sachin pulls one through mid-on for 4 and its 107 for 1, then Sachin and Seyan retired for 12 and 15 respectively, well played both. Captain Rishi Mehta and Aman Raja to come, let’s see. Rishi quickly off the mark but just a single, 115 after 17. Need 3 big overs I think. Aman pulls for 4 round the corner, and another, this is more like it. 130 after 18, maybe 150 on the cards? A misfield and a four for Rishi, lovely stroke to mid-on, repeated next ball but without the midfield! Rishi’s taking off now, another four smashed through mid-off, 145 after 19. Lofted four driven to mid-on and the scoreboard’s getting hot. 150 up with a two – no, a three after some unusual fielding. Aman’s bowled and Nico Ponzoni Kirkham’s going to get two balls with Jake Schapkaitz – will he block them out?! Single to Nico and Jake gets the last ball - a push and a run out, harsh! 155 all out so Primrose 156 to win, that’s a big total.

Captain Rishi to open the bowling, couple of scrambled singles and a fast one takes the middle stump out of the ground. What a start! Seyan can’t take the next one that beats the bat at speed, Nico tidies up to save the 4. Batsman takes evasive action to avoid a fast, rising ball, chin music! Over. Jake to follow so not much relief for the batsmen. Clean bowled first ball, I think the boys are ready for pizza at the club. We’ll be there soon at this rate. 2 for 2 in the second over. Chance to Rishi at mid-off, just over his head, but a fast yorker to close the over. 4 for 2 after 2. Rishi back in the attack, he’s unplayable. LBW appeal turned down (by their umpire) and a leg glance to third man just missed by Nico goes for 4. Batsman takes evasive action next ball, but it keeps low and crashes into the stumps. Three down. 8 runs. How has the next ball missed? Great over. And another one from Jake, four runs from it but no wicket - what’s going on? Ah, Dawud takes a wicket, catch to mid-off, with his first ball. 4 down on the fourth over for 12 runs. Change of pace fooled the batsman after the opening speed fest. 14 for 4 after 5. Aman Raja bowling, beats the bat every ball. Until one is lofted back to him for a caught and bowled. Five down already, I can taste that pizza…

Wicket maiden is the call from the scorers, sounds about right. Aryan Bavishi with his loopy spin, beating the batsman with turn and drift. Four dots and a clean bowled. 6 down. Scoreboard stuck at 22. Nico gets a bowl, lucky edge to the boundary but stopped just in time. Next one keeps low, just a bye through the keeper. Slower ball just kept out, and the next one beats the bat. 27 for 6 after 9. Nico’s second over, slower ball beats the bat, then gets another slower ball on target for the 7th wicket. Catch put down by Rishi at mid-off; he’s human after all! 31 for 7 after 11. Pizza’s nearly ready, come on! Judah Ndukwe steps up, he’s got a quick arm this lad but then opposition have asked him to slow it doen a bit as they have a noice batter at the crease, she’s doing great but needs time. Fair enough. Just a couple of overthrows, and 34 for 7 of 13. Sachin bowls the next over, hits the wickets second ball of his first over, 8 down. It’s getting a bit chilly…time to wrap it up now. Romil calls a 7-ball over, umpires not impressed. Luckily no wicket on the bonus ball! 37 for 8 after 15. Nothing happening now, need these last 2 wickets please. 40 for 8 after 17. Elliott takes the ninth, about time! New batsman then hits Elliott for four over square, and lofts one for two over mid-on. Game on? No, a run out to finish the innings and a comfortable win by 98 runs. And we stay top of the table, next match the rearranged cup fixture against North Middlesex, all to play for.