I once umpired a game at Brixham in Devon, a pretty coastal town whose ground is above the town with views of the harbour. At the drinks break, my colleague and I were offered cup-a-soup! This is significant because it is the only time I can remember being colder at a cricket match than I was on Saturday.
While the temperature never got above single figures, unfortunately Finchely’s very impressive squad reached triple figures in double quick time. Selwood, well known in the league and Sam Robson, he of MCCC pedigree, stroked and smashed the ball around reaching their combined hundred in just 111 balls. As usual Selwood was a little airborne and as early as the third over had edged one through the vacant 3rd slip position.
Selwood eventually went for an entertaining 68 when he chipped a catch to Ashley Gray at mid-off off the impressive Fawad Mullahzadah – the pick of our quickies. Sam Robson, looking to be a class act, and surely destined to play more at Lord’s than Arden Field this season, made his century and went on to get 109 before being caught by Rashid deep in the outfield. At 147 for 2 off 26, it was looking like a long day in the field for the T’s.
The pressure did not let up when Finchley and Unicorns keeper Josh Knappett came to the crease, with an obvious eye on an early declaration Knappett bullied his way to 114 from just 74 balls, pulling, sweeping and driving the ball to all corners of the ground, including a very impressive reverse sweep for 6 off Cronje. JP’s, “Oh my word”, has never seemed more fitting.
The declaration came at the end of the 53rd over with just 344 on the board. Well, as James Richards, our travelling support pointed out – “at least that gives us 67 overs to get them!” Just 5.1 an over for 4 hours then.............
To be honest when we were 2 down for a dozen and a half runs after 7 overs, even James had revised his thoughts about us chasing Finchley’s total down. Let me say, that overall our performance was very good. It was vital that we got Premiership overs in the locker and our batting unit came within two overs of a draw, staying at the crease for a very creditable 64 overs. Some hostile bowling in poor light cost the Ts 2 vital wickets and in fact but for a couple of rash shots and rushes of blood, we could have nicked a point here. Picks of our innings were Dan Housego’s welcome return to form with his maiden half century for Twickenham, a lovely looking innings from Warwick Paull and another very accomplished display from the U17 find of the season, Rashid Mullahzadah. Oh! And half the fielding side in beanies and at least 4 layers of clothing!
Overall then, a B for lunch and teas, a strong B+ for the T’s. This was always going to be a testing opening fixture, and so it proved. We looked to be lacking a bit of bite in the bowling department, but with a niggling injury to Maaz out of the way, and some work this week – that can be easily rectified. We looked good batting. The work that Tom (Meredith) and Clint (McCabe) are putting in during the week in the nets will surely pay off.
Don’t write us off yet, and look out for the backlash, Brondesbury, next Saturday on the Green.
Martyn Fryer