Twickenham- 217- 8 ( A.Burden 45,
M.Bendelow 40, M.O’Brien 39, L.Brown 39)
St John's Wood 207- 5 ( H.Dassani 1-30,
Brown 1-24, M.O’Brien 1-36)
The T’s recorded a 10run victory in a close counter against the ever willing St.Johns Wood Cricket Club. Skipper Hinay Dassani won the toss and elected to bat first. St.Johns could not have asked for a better start as they claimed a wicket in the third ball of the first over as James Porter got out to a ripper. A stunning yorker by Johan raised early spirits for the visitors. Matt Bendelow was the next to arrive at the crease.
Tom Nickels at the other end was playing very patiently and both batsmen were rotating the strike. Any bad deliveries were dispatched to the boundary with some very elegant shots from both batsmen. Nickels and Bendelow stayed composed as they ran well between the wickets and waited for the short balls or any given width. They instantly pounced when the opportunity flashed right at them. The second wicket arrived at it was Nickels to depart on a very respectable 15. A short ball which Nickels played quite late went to Mid on and Cameron did not fail. 2 wickets down and ST.Johns Wood were definitely feeling jubilant as Tom looked in the mood to hit some runs.
Michael O’Brien was next in at the crease. Both Michael and Matt played very sensibly. Any good deliveries were respected, both ran well between the wickets and any bad deliveries were dispatched to the boundary with various orthodox shots coming out of the locker. 20 overs arrived and T’s were on a very respectable 84. All credit to Matt and Michael who kept their focus and looked very comfortable.
Play resumed and Skipper Blunt instantly implemented fresh bowling changes and new strategies. One of the new bowlers was Sarwant Singh who kindly played for the opposition. He instantly sparked for ST.Johns Wood as Bendelow hit his shot to point and it was well judged by the fielder Johan. Huge praise for Benders as his 40 set the platform and the Green was blessed to see some elegant shots from the second team star. He definitely deserved a half century. Next at the crease was young 18 year old chav Tom Davies who made his first Sunday appearance this season.
Singh instantly injected the pressure on him with some wicket taking deliveries which included a very close LBW shout but the urban umpire was unfortunately uncertain and decided to keep his finger at bay. However soon afterwards Thomas the Chav Engine Davies played onto his stumps and Singh was becoming an integral bowler for ST.Johns Wood. Chav number 2 Andy Burden was next in looking to recapitalize from his unlucky duck in the 5th team. Michael kept his head down and tried to rebuild the T’s innings whilst Andy was supporting him.
The next wicket arrived and a very wide delivery bowled by Sarwant which urban umpire was ready to give wide was approached last minute by O’ Brien and he was caught at point. Yet again it was a very well judged catch and the wrong decision made by Michael but nevertheless it was a very solid knock from the Irish playboy who played very maturely. Cricket is a cruel game as batsman can bat so well and lose their wicket out of the blue. Michael departed on a very well crafted 39 and same situation as Bendelow deserved a half century.
In came big hitting number 7
Laurence Brown always eager to smash the ball all over
Twickenham and he certainly showed that as he did not allow any of
the bowlers to take advantage of the small collapse. Browny and
Andy played with real confidence and venom as they smashed the
ball over Twickenham Green. Andy was very impressive as he played
some very elegant and orthodox shots. To add more entertainment
Next in was the skipper Hinay Dassani looking to resume from a duck the previous day. Burden was the next to go as he was caught behind by the keeper and the bowler was Sarwant Singh who was introduced to the attack. It was a very courageous effort from the 16 year old chav who departed on a very solid 45. A 50 wouldve have really been the icing on the cake. Next in was the 5th team superstar Majid Abbasi to accompany Dassani. Both batsmen ran well between the wickets seeking for singles as Johan and Sarwant kept it very tight. Then all of a sudden Dassani unleashed a on drive to the boundary which Tom Davies could not believe for some reason. Then another shot was pulled away by Dassani and the T’s started to get more precious runs. Majid also joined the party with some good looking shots and getting some more crucial runs out of it. The innings folded and the T’s made a respectable 217- 8 of 40 overs. It was a fantastic batting performance from the T’s with plenty of contributions which also proved the strength and depth we had.
The second innings commenced with a Holger
style team talk to raise the team spirit and it certainly did.
Opening the bowling was Majid Abbasi and Michael O’Brien. A
Pakistani and Irishmen is a good little mix as they certainly
troubled both the opening pair. No runs were being scored and the
wicket was edging close but it was O’Brien to break the deadlock
with a stunning catch from James the Whitton Prince Porter. The
catch was just simpy amazing. Everyone was amazed as the shot was
middle of the bat and over Porter’s head. Well done James that was
a jaffer. It was also a well deserved wicket for O’Brien. Majid
Abbasi was also immense and worked very hard.
Bowling changes were enforced on the 12th over. It was a fantastic effort from Michael and Majid. Huge ovation for Majid as he was fasting but still soldiered on.
The Dassani brothers were on. Hinay started off with a few short deliveries which the batsman had the ability to dispatch away. Mitesh was bowling a few wides but then also gave some really lethal deliveries which could have lead to a wicket. Mitesh was the next one to get a wicket as one of the oppositions opening batsman was triggered. Hinay at the other end became more economical and kept it tight. Both batsmen were struggling to pick him out which lead to the third wicket as Dassani secured a caught and bowl delivery. The T’s were feeling upbeat as Hogg departed on a very solid 33. At that time Nick Griffin’s mate arrived and described Dassani’s wicket as ORRENDOUS!
Mitesh was replaced at the other end and
playboy Laurence Brown was introduced with a bit of finger spin.
He instantly injected some pressure as batsman could not pick his
flight and therefore the runs were kept tight. St.Johns Wood were
still in this and more work was left to. Hinay almost bagged his
second wicket as batsman Khan looped the ball in the air which
young chav Andy Burden dropped. Before that he started to take
advantage of the leg side and was hitting runs very rapidly. Could
this be a critical drop catch for the T’s
Skipper Dassani introduced Tom Meredith to the bowling scene with his very unique bowling action. Both him and Laurence kept Blunt and Khan at Bay. There was the occasional bash to the boundary. Laurence gave T’s more relief as Khan clobbered the ball towards the leg side but Meredith took a rock solid catch at mid wicket. It was well deserved for the 16 year old. Chris would’ve been proud as he was watching away. Well that depends on if he was sober.
St.Johns Wood was now throwing their bat around and with T’s becoming complacent on the field the runs were sliding down rapidly. The slogging was getting them back in the game. Dassani enforced bowling changes but a huge applauds to Meredith and Brown who kept it tight for a very long period. The Whitton Prince James Porter was introduced to the scene and Majid Abbasi came back for a second stint. . Porter made an immediate impact as Mackin’s blistering 19 came to a closure. He looped the ball in the air ironically to Andy Burden who this time kept a cool head and secured a very important catch comfortably. This was yet again a boost for the T’s as Mackin was looking dangerous.
ST. Johns Wood was still not giving this up as they did not hesitate to attack Abbasi and Porter. Both Blunt and Sarwant Singh were batting with real confidence and venom. Blunt also reached his half century. It was a tenacious knock from the inspirational Kiwi Skipper. He stayed firm and composed as he guided his side into a wealthy position. It came to the last over and 24 runs were required.
Michael O’Brien was given the final berth and to nominate another candidate for the mental asylum 11 it would definitely be Michael as he decided to bowl left arm. In my eye that was not brave it was INSANE. Both Sarwant and Blunt when all guns blazing and three boundaries and a double came of the over. T’s just managed to edge home despite Michael’s horrific antics.
To conclude the report it was an enjoyable game and both teams gave 100 percent. There were plenty of positives to take as both teams fielded, bowled and batted well throughout different periods of the game. Both teams got complacent and the result could’ve gone either way. Well done to Matt Bendelow who was instrumental behind the stumps and with the bat. It was great to see youngsters likes of Michael, Laurence, Andy, Tom and Majid contribute as it shows the talent TCC are evolving.
Thanks to Tom Meredith for his support on the field and also the rest of the guys with their fantastic effort. Report by Hinay Dassani
Jonno Cockney Column: Let me start of with
that Matt Bendelow. E is Monk. Never scores in the 2’s and scores
runs against blaady