Match report: LDCC (Home) Vs Malden Wanderers Under11s 28/6/2013
On a cloudy, wet June evening in which we are getting accustomed to play cricket, Long Ditton Under 11s played at home against Malden Wanderers. Just before the start of the game the manager and scorer were checking the league rules for rain affected matches! Yes, that sort of weather. However play started promptly at 5.45pm.
Malden Wanderers won the toss and elected to bat first. Starting the game with 2 points apart and right behind Long Ditton, MW had to win this game to get their 4 points to go ahead of LDCC. Having beaten LDCC comfortably when the two teams played at the beginning of the season, and the only team they have beaten so far this season, they started the innings with a lot of confidence. The team had a target of 80 in mind which was their highest score so far.
Captain Tommy Boxall gave the new ball to Tom Sutherland to open the bowling for the first time and he didn’t let him down. He bowled well. Although he didn’t take any wickets he only gave away 3 runs off the bat to finish with his personal best of 3 overs 0 for 7. Bowling up the slope at the other end proved tricky, with Cameron Stevens conceding 23 off 4 overs.
First bowling change came after the 6th over when the score was 26 for 0. Guy Parkin replaced Tom. Guy started well only conceding 3 off his first over. His unhurried run up probably gave the batsmen a false sense of his pace. His high and quick arm action causing the batsmen to hurry their shots, which resulted in a double wicket maiden on the 9th over. Guy was also was on a hat trick during that over. The score then was 34 for 2. He did take another wicket to finish with his personal best : 4 overs – 1 maiden – 3 for 6.
When Ninthujan Kumar replaced Cameron to bowl, that seemed to be the end the batsmen were going to be scoring most of the runs as his first over went for 10, including 2 boundaries. The wet making it difficult to grip the ball and he wasn’t getting any spin. He finished with figures of 3 overs – 0 maidens – 0 for 21 probably his worst in terms of number of runs conceded in 3 overs.
Louis Ackland bowled well and did well to trap the in form batsman LBW (Matthew, who scored28). Louis finished with 3 – 0 – 2 for 14. Captain Tommy Boxall bowled very well and didn’t give away too many runs at the closing stages of the innings. There was a stumping which nobody was heard appealing until very late! The boys need to remember if they don’t appeal the umpire is not going to give OUT!! Tommy finished with figures of 3 – 0 – 2 for 8.
Malden Wanderers scored 81 for 7 off their 20 overs. There were 20 extras.
Long Ditton’s innings started well with openers Cameron Stevens and Louis Ackland continuing to bat as the most productive opening pair of the season. Louis in particular started where he left off on the previous game. His innings of 25 consisted of 5 boundaries. When Louis was out in the 5th over with the score at 33 the runs started to dry up. Two wickets fell in the 7th over (Cameron for 8 & Guy Parkin for 1) which sent the batsmen into a ” mid-innings madness” and resulted in 3 run outs due to some poor calling. Captain Boxall batted sensibly for his 19. The score was 60 for 5 at the end of 14th over. Coach Brian Boxall, whilst on umpiring duties, tried to give some advice to the batsmen (they are allowed to for this age group) however LDCC were down to 79 for 9 at the end of 18th over.
It was all down to Jack Howorth as he was facing the first ball of the 19th over which he smashed for 4, giving LDCC a well deserved win in the end. Jack was 7 not out. Ninthujan was also not out for the first time in a match. Not having to face a ball might have had something to do with it!!