Scorecard

Radlett CC 3rd XI v Preston II on Sat 14 Jun 2003 at 1:30
Radlett CC Won 5 wickets

Match report What a difference a week can make. With a re-jigged side, Radlett played with a confidence that was missing last week to overwhelm Preston 2nd XI.

Richard Haxell lost the toss, and was put into the field on a hot day, on a Cobden Hill wicket that did the groundsman Nick Searle credit. But the Radlett team included just five players from last week, some tactical changes, but crucially including Tim Smithers, and Jon Tricker the huge aggressive white fast bowler, fresh from finishing his apprenticeship in money laundering.

With Tricker opening the bowling with Haxell, who is a wicket-taking bowler, the attack took on a new venom. Indeed we witnessed not one but two bouncers, a feat not achieved in the 3rd XI since July 1978, when they played a match with a tennis ball. On a docile and true pitch, with some good fielding and catching, Preston were reduced to 114 for 6 after 42 overs, a fine achievement.

It must be said at this stage, that Michael Crocker was keeping wicket. According to my records, he has only played one match for this team, without much distinction. This changed today. Though not without fault, Crocker kept wicket with a panache and skill that suggests that he will not ever see the 4th XI again. He caught a zinger off Tricker in front of first slip to secure the first Preston wicket, that was a revelation to his side and a warning to the opposition. Jai Manier caught the second wicket at slip with an aplomb that bordered on the arrogant, and Matt “Clarion” Bell fairly sprinted to finish a fine catch at midwicket.

Tricker slipped a fetlock and couldn’t bowl again, which let Preston slightly off the hook. Their seventh wicket pair started badly, with Clark receiving a blow to the nadgers that laid him out, severely denting his chances of parenthood. But he recovered from this, to put on 78 with his partner (batting partner) Robinson in eleven overs.

Thus Radlett felt a slight 'deja-poo' that feeling that shit is going to happen again. They needn’t have worried.

The new opening partnership of the old – Ingram, and the new – Mike Crocker, effortlessly progressed to 86 at better than five an over without a semblance of a chance when they were both struck down in unlucky circumstances. Crocker was run out tragically, backing up a fierce drive from the striker’s end, and Ingram fingered roughly by the opposition umpire for a poor lbw decision – twice in successive seasons against this team.

This, however brought in the mighty Smithers, who we know is a match winner, and also Prebs Amarugam, a school leaver with enormous talent. With a gap for Paul Wright who smashed his first two deliveries for four, then unfortunately got out, these two substantially saw the side home. In the end, the game was won by five wickets with eleven overs to spare.

This return to winning ways owes something to a stronger player base, but also to some imaginative and brave selection. Mike Crocker has come of age, and Haxell’s decision to open the batting with him is visionary, and has proved its worth. The side needs Smithers if it is going to get promoted, but Amarugam looks a very good prospect. With a “9, 10, Jack” of Gitay, Haxell, and Tricker, who could equally constitute the top 3, this is a strong batting side, and although Preston bowled poorly, they were put away efficiently, and with a little luck Radlett could have won by ten wickets – no exaggeration.

With this side Radlett will win the majority of their games, and must be promotion contenders.

Radlett CC 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
196
(0.0 overs)		    
Dominic Ingram Lbw  54
Mike Crocker Run out  35 1
Paul Wright Bowled  10
Tim Smithers Not Out  47
Prabhu Arumugam Lbw  34
Matthew Bell Lbw  7 1
Jai Maniar Not Out  0 1
Jon Tricker   1
Zahur Gitay  
Richard Haxell  
Jon Tricker  

Preston II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Preston II Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 7 wickets
0
192 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Jon Tricker9.041929.502.11
Richard Haxell14.083200.002.29
Jai Maniar9.0332132.003.56
Zahur Gitay13.0253226.504.08
Richard Hardy6.0125125.004.17
Dominic Ingram2.00500.002.50

  • Umpire :
    M Bird
  • Scorer :