U11A vs Highgate CC

FCC won the toss and elected to bat on another chilly evening*. Openers Nico Ponzoni Kirkham and Sachin Rishi Tibarewala, just returned from India and probably a little jet lagged, worked a steady first over, one run each. Another flat Hall wicket with uneven bounce and the constant threat of the one that keeps low. Some risky running but a first boundary to Nico in the 2nd over - 9 for 0. A dropped catch and a missed run out on same ball - Sachin what are you doing! Looks like the luck might be with us if it’s needed though. Then Sachin bowled out and Captain Rishi Mehta in – he’s quickly off the mark with a straight push for 2 and a cut for 4 - looking in good form! 16 for 1 after 4, then another 4 for Rishi, and we’re quickly up to 28 for 1 with a pulled 4 for Nico. Straight 4 off a full toss for Rishi, the uneven bounce causing trouble but another straight 4 for Rishi who is nearly run out and injured in the process? No, he’s OK. 51 for 1 after 8 – and another 4 byes through the keeper’s legs - thank you!

Two 2s with good running on misfields, Rishi strong off the back foot and up to 63 for 1 after 9. Change to spin, the bowler giving it plenty of air - but smacked for another 4! We’re enjoying this but when’s summer coming is the call from the boundary? Cold beers available not suiting the conditions tonight, something a little stronger needed. A full toss – and another for 4 to Rishi 73 for 1 after 10 - looking good! Nico holding an end in true Boycottian fashion, with Rishi scoring like it’s a basketball game at the other.

I spoke too soon - Rishi out next ball but for a magnificent 47 off 29 – he’s bowled going for a big one to cow corner. So, Elliot Kennedy to the crease and off the mark with a lofted 2, and another pulled to square. 78 for 2 after 11. Elliot’s into his stride, a push/cut for 4 and its 84 for 2 after 12. Then Nico bowled going for a 6 over mid-on, dancing down the wicket – suspecting he was about to be retired after a long stay he decided to go for it! Aarav Patel to the wicket, quickly off the mark, and a full toss pulled for 4 by Elliot. 97 after 15, steady scoring with byes helping things along, still no bounce in this pitch! 4 to Aarav pulled to leg, 100 up after 16. Then a pull for 6 by Aarav - run rate is moving on - and 4 more takes us to 117, 3 overs to go and at 121 after 18 its looking like 130+ easy. Elliot is retired, and Rayaan Alibhai to the crease for the last 2 overs, off the mark then a magnificent 4 pulled from head height to square, and another straight 4 - and another takes us to 137 for 3 after 19 - what will the last over bring? Aarav retired, Sonny Synett to the crease. Some tight bowling at the death but a 4 to Rayaan and with 4 more byes through the keeper, we finish at 147 for 3 from 20, which looks very competitive on this wicket.

Highgate begin their reply - Rishi opening with pace, a nick just past slip for a streaky single. Pace and bounce, testing time for Nico who is keeping. Consistently beating the batsman, and Nico has a hand injury from the pace (please don’t make me visit A&E on a Friday night) - Aarav steps in to keep while Nico gets some magic spray treatment. Jake Schapkaitz with pace from the other end and an immediate appeal for a nick behind – come on umpire Amit! Why don’t we have Snicko at this level? Unplayable this opening pair. 4 for 0 after 2.

Great fielding from Sonny to stop 4 byes behind the keeper, then turned away for 4 for a first boundary, and 11 for none after 3. Are their openers finding their stride, with another 4 to mid-off from Jake? 21 after 4 - careful Finchley! Need a wicket – Matias Gura to bowl, he’s mixing slower balls with pace and no runs off the bat in that over with only 2 wides. 23 after 5. Judah Ndukwe starts with pace - and a wide! Extras ticking along, a streaky 4 past first slip - had there been one - not much luck for Judah. LBW appeal from Matias – they’re never given at this level! Good appeal though but its 43 after 7 and we really need a wicket now.

Rayaan to bowl. I predict a wicket in this over and an LBW appeal not given by Amit – clearly, he doesn’t understand my powers of prediction. Good over though, 44 after 8. Nearly a caught and bowled from Judah; nearly a run out; overthrows?! Only one, they’re keeping it tight, and 51 after 9. OK, so I predict a wicket in this over from Rayaan – is that a catch to Nico? Just short. Good over then 4 byes to third man, don’t need that! 58 after 10 and they’re behind the rate now as the sun comes out - summers finally here! For 5 minutes…

Sonny bowling, streaky 4 to 3rd man. They haven’t lost any wickets, and this could be dangerous now,

64 off 11, still below the rate, good over Sonny but still no wicket. Now Aryan Bavishi to bowl his slow loopy spinners…might change the game? Yes - stumped first ball! The breakthrough…is that the longest we have ever waited for a wicket? Some are saying it is but we have no statto. Where’s Andy Zaltzman when you need him? Aryan creating chances but fielders creating mistakes…2 overthrows and its 69 for 1 off 12. Four off Sonny but a decent over, up to 78 for 1 off 13 – it’s a good game this, tight and tense. Julian appears from nowhere as is his wont and spreads some positivity and bonhomie, then disappears again to who knows where, he moves in mysterious ways does the Chairman.

Aryan with his - and the team’s - second wicket, clean bowled. They can’t pick him! Dropped catch, LBW appeal (not given by his dad, of course), it’s all happening. Tight over, 4 runs and a wicket. A sweep for 4 off Elliot, but a good recovery and only 6 from the over, that’s not enough for Highgate. 88 after 15, Jake comes over to ask his dad when they’re leaving - 5 overs to go yet Jake! Big lofted straight 4 off Aryan but he confidently keeps giving it some air - 93 after 16, then 98 after 17, great bowling from Elliot. Highgate retire a batsman – are they bringing in the big hitters? Nico to bowl (he’s recovered from his earlier hand injury - I hope!), a nick off a fast ball runs to the third man boundary for 4, its 104 for 2 off 18, only 6 off the over - and that’s game over surely? A four off Mathias pulled to the offside; an LBW appeal (still not given, what’s the point?) but only 5 off the over. 38 required from the last over…surely not? Sachin to bowl the last …dot, run, dot, run, dot, dot. Highgate kept to 112 after 20 and game over. Comfortable win by 35 runs.

*Note to self - bring gloves and a shot of whisky for the green tea when doing the match reports at the end of April

**Match Report by - Paul Kirkham