Bradfield A v Diss A (Norfolk Cricket Alliance Division 6) DATE: SATURDAY 6th JULY 2013 VENUE: BRADFIELD CRICKET CLUB 1ST INNS: BRADFIELD A 190-9 (46 OVERS) 2ND INNS: DISS A 194-7 (42.2 OVERS) DISS A WON BY 3 WICKETS Diss A can start to look up the table with cautious optimism after a thrilling 3-wicket victory at Bradfield A on Saturday put some much-needed breathing space between themselves and their fellow relegation rivals. With the 1st XI without a fixture, Diss captain Jody Sparrow was able to draft in Rob Tooke as a makeshift wicket-keeper after several others had pulled out, and give promising all-rounder Barney Chenery a chance to prove himself after a run of poor form in the Premier Division. Both would prove to be vital ingredients in Diss’ victory. In the sweltering heat, the home skipper N. Whitehouse won the toss and elected to have first use of what looked a very good batting track. Instead of opening the bowling like he had done to good effect the previous week, Sparrow held himself back and tossed the new ball to Jack Bell, playing his first game of the season. The decision paid immediate dividends as the Bradfield top order struggled to cope with the vicious swing of Bell’s fizzing parabolas and both G. Philips and C. Parker were clean bowled early on. Mahmood Riasat, already with 17 wickets so far this campaign, added an 18th as Whitehouse made the surprising decision to leave a ball that went on to take out his off stump, and at 17-3, Diss were bossing the game and looking hungry for more victims. However, Bradfield were let off the hook as the bowlers became tired quickly in the tropical conditions. A double bowling change saw Sparrow and Chenery come into the attack but neither could find a consistent area and were both punished on numerous occasions by A. Robinson and P. Murphy. 52 runs were added in the following 10 overs as the Bradfield batsmen went on the charge, although Chenery did pick up 2-41 from his spell. At 107-5 with 20 overs to go, the game hung delicately in the balance but it was to be Robinson that would come out on top. He powered his way to 59 with two maximums before losing his wicket, and with valuable contributions from L. Wheeler (28) and S. Holmes (19 not out), Bradfield reached a highly competitive total of 190-9. The wickets were shared between five bowlers, with Bell and Riasat the stand-out performers and Mark Brawn and Liam Fairweather also taking two wickets each and ending with credible figures, despite bowling at the death. In reply, Diss knew that patience was key and that runs were most certainly there to be had on a particularly flat track. Lewis Brawn and Aamir Qureshi started watchfully and were helped by a fair few extras in the opening exchanges, but Qureshi eventually edged to slip for just 6 with the score on 19. This brought the batting hero from the previous week Tom Davey to the crease but when he departed for 3 and Majid Bajuna (1) soon followed, Diss were in real trouble. Brawn used his experience to hold the innings together for a while but he was caught behind for 20 leaving Chenery and Fairweather to rebuild. Chenery, a naturally aggressive batsman, wasn’t afraid to play his shots in the circumstances and struck six succulent boundaries including a lofted drive over the bowler’s head. However, his spell of brief entertainment came to an abrupt end when he was caught for 26, leaving the visitors 72-5 and needing a further 119 for victory. Out strode the big man Tooke with bat in hand like a vengeful cowboy, a lone ranger. Forced to bat down the order due to team strengthening rules, he knew that losing his wicket cheaply could cost his side dear, and almost did straight away but was dropped behind the stumps on 0, a chance that desperately had to be taken. Striking a six and a four early on was an immediate sign of intent from Tooke, and this worked in his favour as the fielders were sent to the boundary, allowing him to nurdle the ball into the gaps and play the perfect one-day innings. Fairweather at the other end remained ice cool, simply content to keep his wicket intact and let Tooke do the talking. Within no time at all, Diss had passed the 100 mark and the 50 partnership was brought up not long after as the runs continued to flow. The Bradfield fielders became increasingly frustrated and the standard of bowling suffered as a result. Despite Fairweather departing for a well-constructed 19, an over from 24 from Tooke, including 2 sixes and 3 fours relieved the pressure somewhat and took Diss to within touching distance of the target. Victory was sealed shortly after with a tickle off the legs for four, and Tooke ended unbeaten on 80, a quite unbelievable knock. Diss won by 3 wickets and hope to make it a hat-trick of wins when they take on Bradenham A at Rectory Meadow this Saturday.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 20:05:26 +0000
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