1st May, 2022 | Warborough & Shillingford CC | Warborough, Oxon.
ACME 121/10 (32.5) Lost to Warborough CC 123/1 (22)
It’s not about the result.
Mayday wasn’t always a Bank Holiday and when it wasn’t, getting a full ACME team on the field on May 1st was a breeze. Instead, the long weekend seems to have enticed otherwise keen cricketers to spend more time with their families. The fact that the date clashed with the last days of Eid didn’t help. However, two ACME players circumvented the problem by mixing work (ACME) with pleasure (their family) as the delightful photo of Andrew + Limi and Kethes + Kerthanaa testifies. Is this the first time two pairs of father and daughter have played in the same team together without sand being involved?
The backdrop to the game was the bucolic village of Warborough - lawns immaculately trimmed and roofs freshly thatched. It was to be a time game and the toss was won by our leader, Hoskin, who elected to bat. He opened with himself and Mike Gabbay (on loan from the London Nigerians who I think once played against us here). The pair looked fairly solid against some tight seam bowling until Mike got the first of three unplayable balls, all taking the top of off stump. The other two saw the end of Kethes and Matt Murton (on loan from the neighbouring valley), both departing with Gattingesque expressions. At the other end, Bahyr and Johnson (surely he can’t still be playing!) didn’t trouble the scoring app unduly.
ACME were crashing out at 28 for 5. But who should come out to bat – a newly responsible Dil Akhtar! Rather than the extravagant stroke play of former years, Dil stuck with his captain and shared a partnership of 44. This turned the tide and Nishan, Prest and Kerthanaa showed enough grit to get the visitors to a practicable 121. Andrew Hoskin, as ever, was the dominant force in the innings, scoring 78 from 81 balls. Limi Hoskin was so distressed at her father’s failure to reach three figures that she forgot to come out to bat. ACME made a spirited declaration at 121.
Cue ad break -see all of the Hoskin highlights on Dill’s marvellous short film on Whatsapp.
Tea under the oak tree was a joy as always.
The W&SCC innings then rather spoilt the spirit of the game. They pulled a flying Finn (the mightily monikered Trojan Halversen) out of the kit bag and (with the notable exception of the Ketheswaran family) set about the ACME attack. Only Prest was able to pick up a wicket.
The two daughters fielded at fine leg and third man (we must get rid of these misogynistic names) at both ends without complaint. Player of the match – Kerthanaa Ketheswaran.
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