Scorecard

Dunstable 11 v Radlett CC 3rd XI on Sat 25 Jul 2009 at 1.30 p.m.
Radlett CC Won by 6 wickets

Match report Radlett 3rd XI v Dunstable 2nd XI 25th July 2009

At last! A decent performance produced a comfortable win for the 3rds against a somewhat muted Dunstable team. Nevertheless, Dunstable were mid-table, and not only did Radlett win well, to prove that they can actually compete confidently in this division, but gained 30 valuable points to help them stay there.

Captain Eddo Edwards bravely decided that to force a win was the only option given our relegation-threatened position, and elected to bowl on a slow looking wicket.

Our chances looked slim after half an hour of half volleys that the batsmen devoured gratefully. It took a brilliant diving at short cover by captain Edwards from a full-blooded drive to gift us our first wicket at 40. Thereafter, following another excellent catch at slip by Anish Patel, batting progress was limited, and determined and disciplined bowling from Hemel Malde (2-44) Zahur Gitay (4-48) and latterly Robin Willis (3-20) saw a potential total of 200 become 138 all out. Our leading wicket taker Dan Cohen was not his usual self despite bowling the odd beauty, but the others stepped up to the plate.

Gitay’s introduction into the attack immediately slowed batting progress, and he bowled very few bad balls in his 20 over stint, and found a couple of unplayable ones to take wickets. Hemel Malde came back from an ordinary start to bowl intelligently and produced movement to trouble all the batsmen, and is fast becoming an important bowling option. And Rob Willis provided the thrust near the end when it was vital to finish the innings off, which he did brilliantly. Another 40 runs would have been very testing.

The fielding was very good, with not one missed chance, and two difficult ones taken. Good fielding begins with the keeper, and Colin Warne enjoyed another excellent day behind the stumps, pouching a tough chance, and always a menacing presence standing up.

This thoroughly achievable total looked tough when we gave away two soft wickets to become 10-2, but Neel Malde and Anish Patel put on 50 for the 3rd wicket. Neel Malde went on to make 68 in serene style. This was the best batting performance of the season for the Third XI, and a watershed event for Neel. He batted with an aplomb that he has promised for some time, hitting the ball along the ground, and batting with admirable patience and maturity. Despite this, he scored at a strike rate of over 80%, effectively shutting out the opposition.

Eddo and Robin Willis, with measured and untroubled unbeaten 20s apiece saw the final act through to what became a handsome victory.

We are still second from bottom of the league, but have gained confidence and momentum from Saturday’s showing, and glimmers of hope of survival in division 4 have reappeared.

Dunstable 11 Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
138 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Daniel Cohen5.001500.003.00
Hemal Malde14.0344222.003.14
Zahur Gitay18.3548412.002.59
Robin Willis9.032036.672.22

Radlett CC 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 4 wickets
0
139
(0.0 overs)		    
Neel Malde Bowled  66
Shamit Nathwani Caught  2
Dominic Ingram Bowled  1
Anish Patel Caught  12 1
Iain Edwards Not Out  29 1
Robin Willis Not Out  19 1
Ian 'Oz' Edwards  
Zahur Gitay  
Colin Warne   1 1
Hemal Malde  
Daniel Cohen  

Dunstable 11 Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

  • Umpire :
    G.Bird
  • Scorer :