Scorecard

Radlett CC 3rd XI v Bushey on Sat 09 Jun 2007 at 1.30 p.m.
Radlett CC Won by 9 wickets

Match report Radlett 3rd XI thrashed Bushey by 9 wickets today.

At the start of play Bushey were second placed in the league, and Radlett out-bowled, batted and fielded their opposition.

This is the second time in a row that Radlett have performed to such a high level. Not a coincidence, as this team want to play at this level, and look very much at home in this higher league.

The key is that they work hard for each other and themselves. The team ethic, conjoured by Tim Smithers, is unavoidable. Bowlers feel supported by the fielding, which is never less than whole-hearted, but of a very high quality. Heads never go down, even under pressure, and the whole results in good bowling and fielding which surely cannot be matched by many 3rd XI sides in England.

Bushey won the toss and batted, which is what we wanted to do. Never mind, get on with it. Bushey batted superbly from the off, with their captain hitting the first of his straight sixes in the second over of the game. They pushed at 5 to 6 an over for 8 overs, when Ollie Robertson came on and forced a misjudgement for Ben Thornhill to take a horrible high swirling catch at point with aplomb.

Bushey were scoring at will on a good wicket, despite some good attacking bowling by Josh Rose and Simon Gray.

At 54 for 1, the bowling was challenging enough for the batsmen to take a chance and a quick single to Ben Thornhill at point. This was a big mistake, and Ben duly ran him out. The message was sent, and the seeds of victory were sown. Bushey were intimidated. Ollie Robertson came into the attack, and for the second successive week made the ball sing, taking three wickets. Mark Gray bowled ten overs of leg spin for forty and no wickets. Sounds ordinary, but when the oppo are 150 for 4 with 14 overs to go, it was a lesson in aggressive defence.

Bushey scored 197 for 6 in their 53 overs, which Radlett felt was a great triumph, and 30 to 40 runs short. Bushey eventually were probably 60 runs short.

Radlett's batting order included last season's 1st team opening bat. He wasn't required. After Dom Ingram was out for 20 at better than a run a ball, Mitzi Choksi made a beautiful, cultured and unbeaten hundred, supported, it has to be said, responsibly and capably by Simon Gray, with a brilliant 59.

This game was won by seamless fielding, and really excellent bowling. The sublime batting was a bonus, but such is the strength in depth of Radlett sides this season, this may not be a freak side.

The strength of this team is not in the power of the batting but the power of team spirit and will. Expect this side to move further up the table.

Radlett CC 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 1 wickets
0
201
(0.0 overs)		    
Dominic Ingram Caught  20
Mitz Choksi Not Out  111
Simon Gray Not Out  59
Nick Fielden  
Ben Thornhill   1
Oliver Robertson  
Zahur Gitay  
Mark Gray  
Shabbir Foyez  
Tim Smithers   1
Josh Rose  

Bushey Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Bushey Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 6 wickets
0
197 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Josh Rose7.0128128.004.00
Simon Gray 11.015000.004.55
Oliver Robertson11.042839.332.55
Zahur Gitay15.0349149.003.27
Mark Gray9.004000.004.44

  • Umpire :
    Geoff Bird
  • Scorer :
    Tony Cohen