Scorecard

Radlett CC 5th XI v Northampton Exiles 11 on Sat 05 May 2007 at 1.30 p.m
Match was Drawn

Match report Radlett ground provided the backdrop for the mighty fifth team campaign in division 11 after a phenomenal record in division 12. The opponents were worthy but missing more than a few players at 1.30pm. Toss was lost and Northampton batted. Shortly enough the full team arrived and the scene was set in the field.

Vikram opened the bowling with Phil Simmons which for the first 13 overs contained them. The openers were positive clever and agile in their play and realised that Phil carried excessive pace and beat their bats 4 balls in the over. The odd bouncer kept them in check. Vikram steadily got the line going and put it on the spot to get some seam movement early on. Change of bowlers saw Michael Williams take one end and bowled some beautiful variety balls that did not ease the task for batters. Brendan made his debut and started off well and soon enough luck turned Radlett’s way when the striker hit a drive which Brendan aimed to stop which ended hitting the stumps and ran out the senior opener. The whole run out happened very quickly and at 60 for 1 after 16 we seemed to be doing alright. Even though the run rate wasn’t high too many lose balls to the boundary gave away runs. Michael finished his spell with a wicket caught by keeper Luca – spell was economical. Charles was brought on as green top required some spin bowling as the seamers were not as effective as expected early on. Brendan had a flurry of 4’s in his 4th over which ended his spell. Now the batsmen were timing the ball and seeing it immaculately the room for error was fractional. Charles picked up a wicket with opener playing a very streaky sweep that found him out. Both batters at the crease were very powerful and it was 113 for 3 after 26 overs so again a lot of fight was required to curb the score. Daniel was bowling and he got his line and areas correct early on and made batsman play. The new bat stroked it in the air and Vikram swiped the rising air ball with a brilliant catch in the covers. 113 for 4 the Northampton team were on the back foot now. What followed was the centre show of the match. Charles was still going well bowling a lovely line and turning the ball to curtail shots. Batsman 5 was on top of the bowling and ended Daniel’s spell with boundaries. Till the 35th over the run rate was 4 but now the batters were set and very confident they ran havoc with 7 boundaries coming in Vikram’s 2nd spell of only 3 overs. Charles brought the field back and still batsman found the gaps on the short boundary side which was just too short for our liking. Phil in his second spell got hit for 7 4’s in his 2nd spell and did not provide the accuracy and guise to lure batsman who were seeing the ball very clearly. Charles last 5 overs went for 48 runs. The last 11 overs went for 125 runs. The batsman put on a 4th wicket partnership of 155 and they showed true performance and played their game. The stand ended with Mike catching at mid on and the side declared one over early.

Radlett had to start well and play maybe for an impossible win as there were only 44 overs to achieve 270 runs an asking rate of 6.1 per over.

The mercurial Mike Dexter opened with ever learning Luca and the partnership secured 44 before Luca was caught for 20. Charles played well but got adjudged lbw which ended his prospect. Mark Harrington was doing well and played in before he too fell for 10. The score read 89 for 3 and it wasn’t as bad as it seemed but a lot of work and grit was required. Meanwhile Mike had seen off much of the bowling and punished it with boundaries especially in late cut areas which are a trademark shot.

The middle order collapse was round the corner and this match was no different. The bowlers were accurate and maintaining a good rhythm to force errors and batsman got themselves out with Daniel and Paul getting no scores. Eddie provided a good resistance and a perfect fold for Mike to sustain the innings but after a couple of 4’s he too exited quietly. No batsman had made their mark on the match and all opportunity was there for taking the highest partnership was 44 so far. There wasn’t the needed backbone of partnerships in the middle order. The chase was a far cry but aiming for batting points was reasonable. After the 7th wicket fell in came Captain Vikram to join Mike and seen as another victim of error to be sent back to the pavilion. Vikram had other plans 3rd ball was despatched to the ropes which got him on scoreboard. Still an intimidating array of close catchers and fielders were ready to pounce. After a couple of more balls Vikram was keen to push the innings and hit another luscious blow to dampen the opposition. Mike was nearing his 50 and the idea to support him was key to edge the draw. Vikram again surprised the bowler by hitting a clean shot for 6 to midwicket which basically pushed for 5-6 fielders to boundary. It asserted that the last few overs weren’t going to be taken lightly. Mike got his 50 ended 54 not out Vikram got his best league score of 29 not out and the rot ended with a draw in favour of Northampton. The final score - 151 for 7 after 44 overs.

We proved we could bat out for a full innings and not give our wickets away towards the end. The bowlers did have extra something to get all 10 wickets. Northampton bowled quantity of maidens and Radlett gave away too many 4 balls so really forcing a draw was a saviour for the day. Mike earned man of the match. A very spirited and disciplined game by both teams to end a superb days cricket. This leaves Radlett at position 15 in division.

Radlett CC 5th XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 7 wickets
0
151
(0.0 overs)		    
Mike Dexter Not Out  54 1
Luca Guerrini Caught  20 1
Charles Randall Lbw  8
Mark Harrington Bowled  10
Daniel Cohen Bowled  0
Brendan Jones Bowled  3
Eddie Saunders Caught  10
Paul Rich Caught  0
Vikram Rajput Not Out  29 1
Michael Williams  
Phil Simmons  

Northampton Exiles 11 Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Northampton Exiles 11 Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
269 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 5th XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Vikram Rajput10.014400.004.40
Phil Simmons9.006400.007.11
Michael Williams6.0023123.003.83
Brendan Jones4.012100.005.25
Charles Randall12.0167233.505.58
Daniel Cohen5.0125125.005.00