News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Sunday X1 v Langley Super Cricket Club

Sunday X1 v Langley Super Cricket Club

Barry Young6 Jul 2022 - 03:02
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.elsteadcc.co.uk/ne

#sundaycricket #fathersoncricket #inclusivecricket #elstead #elsteadcricket

Whilding 84 not out!

Sunday X1 Match report - kindly written by Paul (late) Soothill.

On a beautiful July afternoon, the Sunday’s gathered 15mins ahead of schedule for a litter pick organised by skipper Baz. Unfortunately not everyone got the memo and the Soothill’s may well face disciplinary action at club level for their no show. Sorry Baz.

Following the toss (is their ever a toss or do the opposition always bat first? - I’m not entirely sure?!). Step up Langley Super X1, a professional looking outfit, all the gear (including their names on the back of their shirts) but did they have any idea? It turns out they did, some aggressive batting very early on meant the opposition raced to 80 of just 10 overs setting themselves a great platform to post a big score.

Elstead then curbed the run rate, largely down to some economical bowling from the likes of Ollie Lincoln, Luke Stevenson and some help from a couple of old timers in Pete Lincoln and Paul Soothill. Langley only managed 45 in the next 10 overs but the batting was relentless particularly towards the end. Today was all about the catches, some missed some held. The pick of them had to be Josh Wilding who took an absolute peach off the bowling of Ollie Lincoln. One for the Cameras as he somehow managed to catch a fiery, aerial cover drive that looked certain to fly over his head for 4 runs. A notable mention has to also go to Pete Lincoln who took a great reflex catch in the slips off the bowling of Jack soothill. Langley ploughed on to post a score of 232 launching a few big shots at the very end. They were taking it so seriously that their batsmen asked the umpire whether elstead should have more fielders in the circle?! Little does he know, we don’t know where the circle is and are still familiarising ourselves with the field positions (thanks to Pete for educating us today - take note Baz!)

After a short break, quick refreshment and some world class bakes from Rachel and Ellie - Barry and Rich Whilding took to the middle fired up and ready for the chase. It has to be said, there was very little loose bowling from the Langley X1 all day and as a result they kept us to 36 off the first 10 overs. That, versus 80 from the opposition always meant that we needed some Bairstow/stokes hitting out in the middle to accelerate the run rate. After an early exit from Baz (he’s been in good form) step forward Whilding and Soothill - less Bairstow/Stokes, more two office supplies salesman from Slough! Despite the fact Whilding had sunk many beers the night before (at one point I thought his aftershave was Brewdog Punk IPA) he set himself up for a long day at the crease. A defensive stroke that Boycott would have been happy with saw off some of the quicker Langley bowlers. Some good running between the wickets shifted the run rate to 5 an over but by now we needed it to be well north of 6. Soothill departed on 71, step forward ollie Lincoln faced with nearly 70 still to get off 7 overs. What’s more, youth joined experience - Whilding was puffing - he had been a long time at the crease and he had a youngster hungry for quick running between the wickets. A quick 17 from Ollie and a rather dubious LBW decision from the umpire (no names mentioned) meant Josh Whilding made it a father/son outing. He played some nice shots but there was just too much to do. Elstead finished on 211, a good total but outdone by a decent Langley team. A man of the match performance from Whilding senior, he will be telling the story of his 3rd of July innings to his grandchildren in years to come. A good team performance from all. Please make sure we are all on time for the litter pick next time! Onwards and upwards Elstead,

Rowledge casuals awaits on the 17th July - let’s get back to winning ways!

Further reading