Priory Park CC v Boxmoor 21/06/14 - Report by Vijay Jani

We were playing at home (Northwick park) on a good looking track but with an outfield where the cut grass had been cut but not collected slowing the ball down. We knew the opposition had a mix of youngsters and older guys so we were licking our lips at at posting a big score. We batted first and we all felt we should be looking to post 200+ but this proved to be harder than it sounded. Punit and Sid opened the batting and took their time in the first few overs until Sid was unlucky to chop one on to his stumps. Gaurav was in next and tried to play a big shot but the ball crept under the bat and bowled him out. I was in next and looked to up the tempo but just as I was getting going I hit one down the mid-on fielders throat. Sabi was in next and with Punit they were going well putting on a 30 ish run partnership until Punit hit one hard but straight to their deep cover fielder. Tej carried on where Punit left off and played some good shots but was undone by a leg spinner who found an edge off Tejs bat which was taken by the keeper. Sabi was out to the same bowler with an edge taken by their keeper playing a cut shot. Biren and Ritesh carried on playing aggressive cricket looking to score quick runs and Biren after getting a start played across the line and was bowled. Dharmesh played a big shot down the ground but was bowled out soon after. Ritesh was next to be bowled out looking to hit the ball out the ground then MP3 got one that creped between bat and pad leaving Kunny not out without facing a ball at the other end, We finished on 112 all out of 33 overs.

We didn’t give our bowlers much to play with but they stepped up and bowled very well. Kunny and Rits opened the bowling and Kunny took the first wicket bowling the batsman behind his legs. Ritesh clean bowled the other opener without him troubling the scorer. Kunny went on to pick up 3 more wickets one hit wicket one caught behind and one very good low catch by Sid who had moved himself just for that delivery to a short mid-on position. At this point Kunny had 4 wickets off 4 overs for about 4 runs and he was on fire! MP3 and Dharmesh were first change and they both bowled very well with MP3 picking up 2 wickets in his 8 overs for only 6 runs. Tejas bowled 6 overs and picked up 2 for only 4 runs. Kunny came back at the end to pick up the final wicket and get his well-deserved 5 wicket hall. He is closing in on MP3s wickets tally and if he carries on bowling like this he may even over take him at some point soon.

Overall we batted very irresponsibly and lacked any composure at the crease. The bowling saved us and let’s hope they continue to trouble the opposition next week, as Rahul would say…’’It was a pleasure to watch boys!’’