9th May, 2021 | Strokemakers | Westcott, Bucks
Strokemakers 159/9 (35) lost to ACME 160/7 (32)
Unlikely victory at Westcott, as ACME recover from 29/5 to take third win of the season.
Tom Deacon writes:
If you have never had the pleasure of playing at Westcott’s beautiful ground, then you won’t have experienced the beautiful view of rolling hills and Martin’s fearsome alsatians that are synonymous with this 1890 cricket club. There is a house at the edge of the ground, where the plane loving resident imposes his rules- not having seen him, perhaps he is a myth, however, a new rule is if the ball lands in his garden and is visible, one can retrieve it but if you cannot see it, sadly, the ball is a goner, lost to his gardens clutches. He becomes the goblin of balls, where it is his choice if the ball is returned at a time of his convenience. I can report only 1 ball was lost on this memorable day, memorable for the ACME win and more importantly some will say, the launch of Vtrakit.
This gorgeous ground is only a few miles up the road from the picturesque Waddesdon, once an agricultural settlement with milling, silk weaving and lace making enterprises- on 9th May 2021 the finest garment worn for the match was awarded to Zaheer, for his beautiful cricket top. For more details on this item you’ll have to contact him direct.
The toss was won by skipper Andrew Hoskins and he calmly chose to bowl. This, you will note, is the swagger of a good captain, fearless in battle and optimistic at all times. We only had 9 players at this point and yet, most captains would bat first surely? Not el capitano AH! Onwards we shuffled onto the field in what can only be described as gale force winds.
A short mention shall be made to Asif, who although not playing, attended in the crowd with his wife - congratulations to the newly wedded couple.
Kethese the latest signing to ACME, who has recently moved to Ayelsbury after a successful time in sunny Southampton, was to open the bowling from the Goblin man end. Kethes has had a successful few years playing for IBM’s second team and started off with some tempting line and length deliveries. It was his opening bowling partner, Vathsan, who struck first from the pavilion end, dashing in with his trendy head band and Vtrakit merch. Serving up a wide just before to make F Butt drop his guard and start moving his feet, he delivered a peach of a swinging ball to crash into Butt’s pad, giving the umpire no choice but to give LBW. ACME were lent a fielder who did a great job filling in.
Hafeez, the opening batsman, had begun to settle into the game with his 4x4’s at the point of the 7th over, when Vathsan skipped in to say no more. If you’ve watched The Great British menu you’ll be familiar with the class that they serve up for the judges. Vathsan was no different here dishing out an unplayable ball that took a real dent out of the batsman's pad- the appeals rang out and ACME had their second victim. It could have been three shortly after when Vathsan shouted for a catch when in the air hurtling towards Bahyr but alas, the multi-tasking of scoring on his phone and fielding, was too much in this moment. In saying this, Bahyr was fantastically sharp in the field for the rest of the day and many others couldn’t do the admin that Bahyr does during the match. It was at this point Dil turned up, sporting fresh facial hair and a lovely black Range Rover- we now had 11 on the field.
The award for most economical bowling went to Sandeep; 7 overs bowled, 4 wickets and an economy rate of 1.7 an over. The man is a real weapon for any team and remarkably, only became a fast bowler today. The 3rd ball off his new bowling action change, saw the bails flying off the stumps- a real beauty sent Sagar back to the pavilion with a duck. Sandeep struck again in the 15th over as he dispatched Tanuj for 11.
The second bowling change gave the entertaining Deacon the ball, relieving Vathsan of his sterling work- a difficult end to bowl from with the swirling wind picking up. Ignoring the two wides to start and a couple of no balls, Deacon was able to use the elements to get lots of unplayable swing into the action. The unpredictable swing from the bowler outwitted the batsman, Bhald, as his off stump flew out of the ground with such force following Deacon’s late in-swinging delivery, leaving the poor batsman soul searching. Deacon celebrated his first wicket for ACME with such a loud guttural cheer, it challenged David Prest for strongest growl. However, the 7 extras, the highest of the bowling attack, will be worked on allowed any more overs, be assured.
On came highest scoring batsman, Khurran, for The Strokemakers, a batsman of jocular character as ACME would find out- constantly laughing and running after his own shots to return the ball, the man was full of beans. David Prest was the next bowler to step forward and 2020’s best bowler soon dispatched Shuaib. Two dropped catches of this batter were frustrating the ACME team, however, it was only a matter of time before the reliable fielding of Deacon was called upon with a high, looping and viciously swerving ball caught by the fast moving Deacon and the insistent request of “catch!” by Mr Prest. At this juncture, Al Marshall finally joined the filed following a long journey from Liverpool- what a great effort to get to Westcott- and was right into the action almost taking a catch.
Sandeep had had enough of Umair, who was beginning to settle in at the crease, bowling him LBW in the 29th over. He had already crashed a beautiful 4 into Goblin man’s keep and believe the cost of the ball will be coming out of his wages. Zaheer Butt came and went following a delightful caught and bowl by Sandeep in the 32nd over.
Into the attack, skipper Andrew called upon the injured Dil to spin us another wicket, which he heroically did with the first ball of his over! True grit shown here in the face of a bleeding hand- stitches shall be required, the physio has noted in the report. Mr Bopara and Khurram held on got the Strokemakers a respectable 159 runs from 35 overs. Would it be enough? Only time would tell.
Trials for the antiques roadshow were conducted at Lunch by David Prest. He presented a stunning 1911 flask with remarkable cork. The very same flask is in the Canterbury museum as it was taken on the tragic Terra Nova expedition. Fingers are crossed if you are playing at Weybridge that David brings it and can show you! Also on offer at Lunch was the most delicious cupcakes, arranged by Bahyr and made by ACME friend and cake supremo, Nirosha (Rose Cakes). Truly stunning they were! they also came in the in the colours of Vtrakit!
With full bellies and a gettable score, ACME openers Sandeep and Zaheer headed out to the crease. Lookalike Jack Sparrow captain Andrew, had created an inventive batting lineup which proved inspiring. After crashing a shot to the boundary Zaheer was dispatched by Bopara in the second over. On came Deacon. Fresh from a 17 n/o playing for Compton and Chandlers Ford, he was feeling confident about starting higher up the order. He was repaying the the faith shown by the skipper, running some great singles with Sandeep, however was deceived by a swinging fast ball by Umair. 28-2 off 5.3 overs.
This started the batting collapse by ACME. Matthew Condotti a regular for the London Nigerians stepped up and with the very next bowl was given LBW. Interviewing him after the dismissal, by umpire Marshall, he was all of the emotions. He couldn’t fathom how he was given out after he swore blind the ball hit his bat and then hit the pad. Look out Al…he’ll be wanting a chat.
Dil was next to fall, with Bahyr following 3 balls later. In came the skipper to steady the ship and lead the team to victory. 7 overs later the combative innings of Sandeep came to an end bowled by Umair who now had 3 wickets to his name.
The most controversial moment was to come with Andrew being judged not to be out by the umpire. This caused the Strokemakers to be very disgruntled. Ask Sandeep for a translation as my ears didn’t catch everything. Regardless of this out or not out (Andrew’s pads show where the ball hit and was insistent hawkeye wouldn’t have given it) Andrew went on to score a marvellous 83 N/O with two stunning 6’s. One of which, sailed towards the pavilion nearly hitting the oppositions’ cars. Kethes joined Andy to make 12 runs before being caught on Hafeez’s bowling. On came Mr Vtrakit Vathsan himself to backup Andrew to see home the run chase, crashing two shots to the boundary on his way. All done with 3 overs to spare!
What a day and what a run chase. All in time before the heavens opened. Fizz was served with more cake to celebrate the victory and the Vtrakit launch. That’s now 3 wins out of 3 for ACME. Is it too soon to say this really could be an extraordinary year for everyone? We shall soon find out!
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