Bratton Vs Venturers, Sunday June 23rd

Venturers 220-6, Bratton 144-8

The Bratton fixture was described as; ‘Beautiful setting under the downs. Good tea and pleasant bunch of players’. The view of the downs was indeed glorious, even with the overcast conditions. Both teams were short of players, including the usual tea provider – so we reserved judgement on tea. As they opposition were indeed a pleasant bunch of players we were lent a player (Paul) and we managed to play 9 a side and settled on a 35 over match, given the reduced team size and promise of rain.

The toss was lost and we faced the unusual situation of having to post a total. Charlie (27) and Jaideep (22), presumably having watched a lot of the World Cup coverage, set about building a solid platform to allow an injection of runs from the middle order. They reached the 50 opening partnership and halfway point of an innings without losing a wicket, which must be collectors’ items for the Venturers. Jaideep and Charlie fell in close succession trying to increase the run rate and the score was set at 66-2 after 19 overs. The injection of runs materialised with Jamie (84), Ian G (24) and Matt (30) all scoring at a strike rate of at least 160.00. The results was an imposing 154 runs scored from the remaining 16 overs which set Bratton a difficult target of 221 to win.

We were reliably informed by Paul, that one of the Bratton openers had a very high average this season (I do not recall the figure but I know it sounded more like an innings total rather than an individual’s average) and that it would be sensible to remove the openers, this sounded like a reasonable plan.

Our bowling throughout was good and we kept the run rate low, putting pressure on any potential run chase. Ian and Jamie bowled tight and succeeded in removing one of the openers early, which proved decisive enough as it opened up an end by which we were able to take regular wickets. Matt and Fahad were constantly threatening, each having one uncharacteristic expensive over and Fahad was rewarded with a couple of wickets. The opening batsman with the remarkable average remained steadfast and punished Bruce’s opening over, this however was the last real threat of runs as we took the pace off for the rest of the game. Jaideep bowled three excellent overs picking up a caught and bowled in his first.

Paul had specifically asked to have opportunity to bowl against the Bratton keeper. The request seemed very specific at the beginning of the game, but having listened to the enthusiastic and animated keeper for the duration of the match seemed perfectly reasonable. Bruce obliged to give Paul this opportunity by bowling straight and removing a couple of the middle order and Paul took one himself, fired up at the prospect of bowling against the keeper, who finally came to the crease as the final (no 9) batsman. This led to a comical last couple of overs which was in essence a battle of remarks and willpower between the two ‘teammates’, with the cricket providing slightly less entertainment. Bruce put an end to proceedings by removing the keeper and after the initial loose over ended up with 3-12 from his next 6 overs. Bratton were bowled out for 144 with the opener we had been warned about remaining not out on 88.