The week started off ominously with the Daily Mail
headline: “Met office warns the Government of 50 days of rain in just three
months as Britain braces for one of the wettest summers on record”. Ironically
when Sunday rolled around for the match against Maidenhead & Bray, we had
clear sunny skies and a mild 19C forecast; A+ weather conditions for playing
cricket and which frequently grace the Strollers for matches at Bray.It was also A+ weather conditions for all Londoners, who
were out with full gusto following a dreary spring which led to some travel
complications for the Strollers due to assemble by 1pm. The WhatsApp chat was
abuzz with travel alerts: “Carnage at Paddington” (G. Love); “I
missed Liz” (R. Smith); “I missed also but looking at a similar ETA
hopefully” (J. Dela Rue). Your scribe was fairing no better on four wheels:
“I’m stuck in traffic in Fulham” (B. Travis). Some sage advice was
shared upon arrival, “Never through Fulham, Blair” (R. Wall).
The WhatsApp chat was similarly abuzz with the debutant
skipper’s strategy leading into the match: “Strategy 1 is to win the toss.
Beyond that…” (S. Rogers). Well “beyond that” happened to be opting to bat
first with the seven or so Strollers present and ready to play. And that’s how
the toss went, possibly the decisive act of the match.
The skipper found two willing volunteers to open in Rob
Wall and George Love. The early scoring rate was slow, 29 runs came off the
first 10 overs, as our openers began cautiously without the loss of a wicket.
MBCC opening bowlers Ambar Moorthy and Krithin Chatterjee were lively and
accurate. Opposition stalwart Matt Armstrong had noted the pitch was used
in their 1st XI’s low scoring match the previous day, so there was no panic yet
regarding the run rate.
MBCC turned to their dynamic spin duo Yudhuir Dahiya and
Faizal Aziz, who were ideally suited to the slow grippy pitch. The wickets of
Wall (19) and Rogers (9) fell shortly afterwards to Dahiya leaving the score 59-2
after drinks at 20 overs.
Love’s innings was just kicking into gear (like a finely
tuned motor) when he was out bowled for 32. Rowan Smith hit two lusty
boundaries before being Aziz’s second victim, out bowled for eight. Blair
Travis eeked out 31 before being caught out on the boundary in the 33rd over,
aiming to increase the scoring rate whilst No 6 Glen Oliver was settled at the
other end. Hugh Martindale and Paul Dorrans were dismissed playing selflessly
in the pursuit of quick runs, giving Abu Hussain three victims in total. Oliver
hit out towards the end of the innings, collecting 61 runs before being caught
out in the deep on the second to last ball of the innings. The Strollers ended
with 178-8 off the 40 overs.
Lunch was a much too short affair. Strollers WAGS, family
members (new borns, mums and dads) and general supporters crew were present,
similarly enjoying the arrival of summer. Aidan Selby, with whanau, made his
first appearance in 2024, enjoying a few cold lagers from the boundary whilst
minding his sons, Caleb and Rhys.
The tale of the second innings was largely a flattening out
pitch as the day wore on and MBCC’s opening bat Paddy Searing’s quickfire knock
of 79. There were chances there to grab; however, most were not taken or
missed. Maidenhead & Bray hit the required 180 runs for the loss of five
wickets in 36 overs. One wicket apiece went to Wall, Rogers, Oliver, Neale
Mulholland and Alastair Macaulay. Smith bowled a luckless spell with many
deliveries beating the bat.
Love received an absolute ribbing from teammates for his
boundary riding non-effort, ushering the winning runs over the rope, so
desperate was he for some respite.
It was a hard fought match, played in good spirits. Rogers
led the Strollers valiantly, yet unfortunately we ended 50 runs or so short of
a competitive score.
The players descended into the shade to join partners,
family members and friends, and sought solitude in pints of amber ales, cold
lagers and a strong orange squash.
A fantastic day spent playing cricket and a big thanks to
Maidenhead & Bray CC for hosting us again. It was finally beginning to feel
like the summer had started.
Capt: Steve
Rogers. Wkt: Hugh Martindale.
Match fees: Simon Brodbeck. Match report: Blair Travis.
