BOOTH CRICKET CLUB Norden 24 Aug

Booth v Norden 24th August

After heavy overnight rain the outfield was very wet, but the wicket was perfectly dry, and the umpires allowed the game to start on time. Norden won the toss and chose to bat first.

Naz Hussain achieved an early breakthrough thanks to a sharp catch at cover by Louis Weatherill. The Norden batsmen then made quick progress, although Patrick Thomas induced a top edge from big hitting Gareth Eccles. Unfortunately, as Naz Hussain steadied himself to take the catch at deep fine leg, his feet slipped on the wet grass. He not only dropped the catch, but also ended up on his back in the swamp in front of the pavilion. This misfortune seemed to fire up Naz, and he responded by bowling both Eccles and his replacement, leaving Norden on 62-3.

At this point Booth’s slow bowlers Tony Highley and Josh Oliver joined the attack, and the Norden scoring rate slowed. Danny Collinge and Leon Wild added 60, but became frustrated at the accuracy of the Booth bowling. The batsmen were reduced to trying for quick singles, and this led to the next breakthrough as Mohammed Jamil swooped from mid wicket to run out the dangerous Wild for 43.

A further partnership of 40 between Collinge and skipper Rob Greenwood ensued, and at 160-4 with 12 overs to go Norden seemed in a strong position. The introduction of Gulbaz into the attack changed that. He first of all bowled opener Collinge for 63, and then steadily worked his way through the tail. Norden were eventually bowled out for 197 with two overs to spare, while Gulbaz took 6-33 from his 7 over spell.

Booth initially looked like making easy work of the total, with openers Mohammed Jamil and Gulbaz adding almost 70 in the first 10 overs. However, once Gulbaz was removed for 49, things got more difficult as Gareth Coates (5-46) and young leg spinner Steven Wild (2-44) worked their way through Booth’s middle order.

At 144-8 and 54 still needed, a Norden victory seemed likely. However, with 17 overs still to go Patrick Thomas and skipper Mike Barnett dug in and gradually reduced the runs needed. Mike was eventually caught behind after a partnership of 38, and number 11 Josh Oliver joined the fray with 16 still required to win. A number of singles reduced the arrears to single figures, before Josh unleashed two scintillating boundaries to see Booth home by one wicket. Patrick Thomas remained not out on 34, a very mature match winning innings from Patrick.

Another very exciting finish to follow the previous 1 run victory over Northowram. Not only are Booth’s young players getting valuable match experience on the Sunday team, but are also learning how to win games from difficult situations

Booth won by 1 wicket

Booth 20 pts Norden 8 pts

Booth v Norden

Booth won by 1 wicket Booth 20 pts, Norden 8 pts

Norden 197

O. Hazlehurst c Weatherill b Hussain

D. Collinge b Gulbaz

G. Eccles b Hussain

L. Grubbin b Hussain

L. Wild run out

R. Greenwood c Jamil b Gulbaz

S. Wild b Gulbaz