Detail: 23-04-2022 - Hindhead

Result: L by 5 wkts
Match report from Saturday vs Hindhead

Last year, when the Blues was more popular than sliced bread, aperol spritz and pubs with a beer garden, we had about 18 who were frothing at the mouth to don the whites for the first game. Alas, this year for the opening match of the season twas a slight damp squib, with only 5 Blues able to play. 6 ringers were therefore required. Here we go again... New season, same old problems, a whatsapp group of 70 odd is obviously not enough. I can only assume England's abject cricketing performance has caused national scarring putting people off picking up the willow in anger.

Anyone and everyone was messaged and somehow a team was cobbled together with a week to spare. A positive covid test on Friday morning meant that the Blues were denied the chance to see 2 Jenkins brothers playing together (probably for the best). Out went the carrier pigeons and Jack Ward was able to come up trumps for the boys. Recruiting James Howe, a fine bowler, 24 years young, new to London and bursting with youthful energy, buzzing for a summer of fun.

Hats off to Wardy for yet another Blues recruit - as we know a key part of one's value to the team is the ability to keep the recruiting juggernaut thundering upwards. You can't win a game of cricket with 8 blokes. Curiously a trend has appeared in that Jack has only ever recruited guys who bowl and are happy to not bat or keep - very smart stuff all round.

Fast forward to Saturday morning, utilizing various cars 9 Blues arrived at Hindhead in time for a 1pm kick off. At 12.30 a call from the 2 of the ringers landed, informing us they would arrive at 1.15. Eager to get the season underway we volunteered to bat first.

First to the crease was the ever resolute Das and new entrant Cracker: specialist batting ringer of Kiwi origin, normally found leading his LMS side 'Crackerstan' to glory on the green fields of clapham common. Cracker and Das saw out the first over over with no issues, Will Hams settling into a very boring miserly 6th stump line that the 2 opening lads were happy to leave alone.

The second over hits and one of Hindhead's ringers took the ball. Unfortunately this lad had some serious wheels and more than a hint of swing. After seeing a few outswingers Das was flummoxed by an inswinging yorker that cannoned into all 3. As a non-bowling cricketer, Das' race was run, all those off-season dreams shattered and off he headed to the sheds.

Youcef took his place and immediately middled it to a fielder, then dutifully called Yes and headed off for a run that was never on. Wizened Cracker had obviously seen this trick before and stood his ground firmly sending Cef back. All was well. The 2 settled nicely and started to accumulate.

Scoring heavily to point and third man, Cracker thrived on anything wide and short. Hindhead packed the deep point region but still Cracker threaded the eye of the needle and kept the scoring rate going. After amassing 37 runs and beginning to unwind, Cracker lined up a new bowler only for the ball to inswing and smash the pads. Finger went up and the first LBW of the season was given. Cracked had to go, after putting the boys into a good position.

Highlight of the innings was a rare Youcef 6, charging down the wicket to the 55 year old part timer and sweeping him away for a well struck flat 6. It was a sense of deja vu for myself and Glenn as we watched Wardy and Cef bat untroubled for about 10 overs rotating the strike. Cef had bad luck middling it to the fielders on a regular basis. However, generally looking untroubled he made his way to 51* and with about 3 overs to go & 8 wickets left in the shed, retired himself to give someone else a go.

Sumit M was chosen to head to the crease after ruling himself out of bowling. Hindhead turned the screw and bowled an incredibly miserly 3 overs to limit Sumit's scoring options and choke off any Blues runs, marooning a frustrated Wardy at the non-strikers end. After a very boring 3 overs, the Blues innings ended. After a chanceless innings from Wardy who made it 37* at the close, the Blues finished 139-2 off 35 overs. A noble effort but the consensus was it could be a few runs short. Over to the bowlers now to make things happen.

And happen they did. In spectacular scenes. Sumit Kumar, off the back of Blues under 40s glory in the Metson charity classic last year, was given the first over. On the last ball of the first over Sumit bowled an absolute jaffa to the left hander which caught the edge of the bat. Flying past the keeper it threaded its way to the first slip vicinity. Luckily still awake as it was over number 1 Jenks threw himself to his right hand-side, stuck out a paw and remarkably it stuck firm, even staying in despite crashing to the ground. Cue Alan Shearer celebration and a few Imran Tahir laps of the field. The Blues were 1-1.

Glenn, not one to stay out of the action for long, threw down 5 dot balls of class until the batsmen couldn't contain himself any longer and had to have a go. Attempting to thrash one back over the bowler's head, the ball didn't get up and flew at Glenn very quickly only for him to sharply take a smart one handed catch to collect a very tasty caught and bowled. Hindhead were down 1-2. Blues hollering all round.

Glenn found the faintest of edges a few overs later, keeper and slip went up willing the umpire to raise his finger. Batsmen didn't walk, muttered something about 'a noisy bat' - "I'd be changing that bat shaprish mate" keeper Wardy growled at him, and the umpire remained resolute, sipping his larger and keeping that finger firmly in his pocket.

Sadly that was about as exciting as it got. For the next 14 overs the 2 seasoned Hindhead batsmen slowly accumulated, again staying below the scoring rate but not looking too untroubled. 39-2 off 16 overs. Blues still very much in the game.

James Howe on debut, was beginning to find his line and length and increasingly looked like troubling the batters. Just before drinks he unleashed a rocket with unerring accuracy to break through the batter's defence and rearrange the furniture. Top ball, Blues back in the game and the first Blues wicket for James Howe.

Unfortunately as is often the case, the number 5 batsmen (aslo a ringer) was an absolute beast and from then on proceeded to tee off. With an enormous chest and even better hand eye he quickly dispatched the Blues part time bowlers to all parts.

Aqib making his Blues return tried some mystery leg spin which was dealt with ably by Hindhead. Changing to seam up Aqib huffed and puffed but to no avail. Jenks brought himself into the attack, induced a few oohs and ahhs (mainly from himself) with a few play and misses and a couple of LBW shouts - nothing given. And then seeing the game running away brought himself back out of the attack to give a few of the ringers a go.

Like this match report, the game trailed off and Hindhead passed our score in the 29th over. There was interesting fielding on display on what was a brutally hard outfield, certainly a ground that might have an on-call dentist just in case. The game was played in good spirits, as they say in the footballing world, it had the feeling of a friendly (aren't they all) and the weather played its part allowing Cef to top up his tan down at point, while a few of us went home with slightly pink noses.

Highlight of the day was of course our first match tea in almost 2 years. A delightful beige buffet, with 3 different types of sarnies; cocktail sausages, pork pies, quiche, cakes, mini pizzas, you name it. Even a few strawberries thrown in to add a splash of colour and kick start the summer. Superb hosting by Will Hams and Hindhead and some very affordable refreshments were on show for post match entertainment. Despite traveling to Surrey to get pumped and not bat (not quite the cricketing glory I was imagining) a great day out was had nonetheless.

Roll on to a much nearer ground, as next sunday we are back playing at Roehampton cc. As we know life is about getting your ducks in a row, and last year at Roehampton we had 4 of them. In 4 balls. With a stellar squad assembled, 2 over 40s and 9 under 30s - it screams batting collapse and big one on the beers after. As it's a very close ground to Putney, it is a painless ground to get to, situated in a beautiful part of SW london and a delightful pub (The Telegraph Pub) overlooks the ground - certainly one to bring friends and family to. See you all next week

Jenks

Highlights:
Sumit Kumar: 5 overs, 4-1. Slip catch by Jenks
Glenn 7 overs: 11-1 - caught and bowled.
James Howe 6 over: 34-1
Cef 51*
Jack Ward 37*
Cracker 37

[updated 28 05 2022]