So, the season is over ...
We played a timed game yesterday versus XIIth Men ... unfortunately, I lost the toss and we were put into bat on a slightly ropey looking pitch. We were soon 30 odd for 4, with the top order struggling on a pitch with wildly variable bounce and some tight bowling. Shankar and Nick Ross restored a bit of order with a great partnership, although sadly, both fell within 1 scoring shot of 50s. Some lower order clubbing saw us to a competitive 160 all out.
Our effort in the field didn't start too well as their opener quickly got into form, although we grabbed his wicket after he got to a well made 30 odd (can you tell I don't have the scorebook in front of me?!). After that, runs kept flowing slowly but surely and we got another couple of wickets. At the drinks break, Kev Gledstone relinquished the gloves to Jay, meaning he was available for bowling. Soon, he was on in spinner tamden with Nick Ross and they kept things tight and soon the pressure began to have an effect and wickets began to fall ... quite a few through run outs, including, for the second week in a row, a player being run out without facing a ball.
They still only needed 3 or 4 and over and a six was hit from Nick Ross which eased the pressure on them slightly. Come the final over, they needed 2 runs to win, with 3 wickets in hand. First ball, Kev bowled their batsmen. Second ball, the ball was looped up for a close in catch to a diving Shankar. 4 balls left, 1 wicket left and still 2 runs needed. 3 dot balls followed as the batsman didn't know whether to go for a boundary or try and manouvre a single. Last ball, saw the same batsmen flick on to fine leg and the non striker set off. However, confusion reigned and he was left stranded in the middle of the pitch and we ran him out!
So, in an amazing turn of events, we wrested, kicking and screaming, a victory from the jaws of defeat. Very well done to the team on the day ... we really stuck at it, even though it looked as if we were destined to lose.
Sunday XI Only
Innings
:
17
Not Outs
:
3
Runs
:
441
Average
:
31.5
Top Score
:
107 not out
Fours
:
53
Sixes
:
17
100s
:
1
50s
:
1
Overs
:
62
Maidens
:
12
Runs
:
306
Wickets
:
10
Average
:
30.6
Economy Rate
:
4.94
Strike Rate
:
37.2
Best Figures
:
3 - 1 - 17 - 2
All Games
Innings
:
20
Not Outs
:
3
Runs
:
509
Average
:
29.94
Top Score
:
107 not out
Fours
:
63
Sixes
:
18
100s
:
1
50s
:
1
Overs
:
69
Maidens
:
13
Runs
:
351
Wickets
:
12
Average
:
29.25
Economy Rate
:
5.09
Strike Rate
:
34.5
Best Figures
:
3 - 1 - 17 - 2
So ... I'm VERY happy with my batting (although not really in the 2nd half of the season!). A record for me in terms of runs scored on a Sunday and scoring my first century.
Bowling, not so good ... but then I had plenty of other bowlers on Sundays, so I didn't really need to bowl :)
In my first year as captain, we achieved a record of :
Played 15
Won 4
Tied 1
Drawn 3
Abandoned 1
Lost 6
Success Rate 43.33%
This year, my second as captain, we have achieved a record of :
Played 20
Won 14
Tied 0
Drawn 5
Abandoned 0
Lost 1
Success Rate 82.5%
Which, by all accounts, and of course, subject to approval by El Stato, is a record season for the Sunday XI.