Kilmington Vs Venturers, Sunday May 1st

Kilmington 196-7; Venturers 128

Even though it wasn’t the first match of the season, we still didn’t know one another. We used eight bowlers, the exceptions being Chris, who decided not to have a go himself; Marco, who is new to the game and not yet able to bowl legally; and Jack, who kept wicket. The right-hander in Kilmington’s opening pair gave him a catch immediately, off Ian, getting a thin edge to his second ball and walking off at once. That was it for a while, though. Ian remained accurate. Ajay underpitched, incredulous at the sogginess of English spring wickets, but the outfield was too slow and his direction too good for him to come to much harm. Mohammed was quick enough to cause problems despite the pitch, but Gregory, generally fairly reliable these days, bowled full tosses and was removed in favour of Kapil, who bowled long hops and then Akash, who bowled half-volleys. Bruce and Asif restored some order, helped by further bursts from Ian and Mohammed, and Ajay kept the runs down at the end after Asif had at last removed the left-handed opener, for 86. Ajay, Mohammed and Ian all ended with two wickets.

Jack pushed forward to the first ball of the innings, bowled by a once fast and now slow but accurate bowler, and missed it. Bruce, the other opener, also made a duck, but took five overs about it. Kapil miscued but Ajay, Akash and Asif all got a start. Only Mohammed kept the innings together, though. He actually seemed comfortable, at least some of the time, which certainly couldn’t be said of anyone else. Ian kept up and end for him for a while, but eventually Mohammed put one up in the air and the innings ended abruptly in wild slogs by Marco, Chris, Gregory (who survived) and finally Ian.