1st Team - Undercliffe (H) - 9th June 2007

Esholt opponents on this warm summers day were league big spenders Undercliffe. Esholt were looking to recover from a couple of indifferent batting performances and Undercliffe were looking to find the sort of consistency that would propel them from mid table, into the promotion race .

 

Undercliffe won what most people thought would be a very important toss and unsurprisingly decided to make first use of a good looking wicket .

 

The menacing medium pace of Hanif and Lister set about their opponents with relish . It was the turn of Lister on this occasion to take the spoils, his opening burst of 12 over’s brought him 5 wickets for the cost of only 18 runs, Hanif backing him admirably. At 29-5 Esholts openers had ripped the heart out of the Undercliffe batting line up and not for the first time this season Esholt were on their way to bowling out a side on the cheap .

 

The best way of expressing just how well the pair bowled early on, is to point out that Undercliffes last pair batted out the last 18 over’s without a moments trouble . Both Hanif and Lister lack any great pace (thanks a lot!!! - Ben) but they complement each beautifully Lister with his nagging length and swing coupled with a wonderful competitiveness and Hanif with his ability to bowl the unplayable delivery, along with movement both ways through the air and off the wicket .

 

Esholt struggled to wrap the Undercliffe innings up but in fairness as I have just pointed out getting batsmen out on this wicket was difficult . Both Shaz Khan and Ben Platt had a go and bowled well, both taking a wicket and bowling efficiently . The task of finishing the job was for the first time this year left to old man Bashir . Proving that there is no substitute for experience, he managed to out fox Undercliffes last man, to pick up his first wicket of the season .Undercliffe finally dismissed for a well below par 101 .

 

The task of chasing down 102 for victory seemed a simple one but as the regulars at Esholt will know things very rarely turn out simple when the Esholt boys get their pads on .

 

I am glad to report that on this occasion captain Whitehurst and overseas Shaz Khan, proved just how good a wicket it was . They added 76 in quick time and just as a ten wicket win was in sight Whitehurst who couldn’t help himself , charged down the wicket and was stumped by a considerable margin .

 

The over critical will say that he shouldn’t have given his wicket away but those who know Richard know that getting a not out to his name would have been the last thing on his mind . As Esholt proved the week before, when in pursuit of a low score losing early wickets can be fatal . Whitehurst on this day played within himself and made sure the game was all but won before getting out . Esholt wrapped up a comprehensive victory in exactly 15 over’s . Shaz Khan finishing unbeaten on 56 . Shaz once again went about his batting in a quietly efficient manner . His batting at the top of the order has been remarkable, he has proved a real find .

 

The final word this week goes to Adam Hodgson . Adam who would prefer to be turning out for the second or third team, has been asked to fill in for the first XI most weeks this year and it must be said he does the job without complaint . He returned to the team today after a weeks holiday , oh and what a return .

 

It would be easy to pick on him for the catch he dropped, which without dwelling on the point was by far the easiest catch to be grassed in Esholt’s 112 year history . It would be easy to then go on to mention his angry response to somebodies annoyed scream at him spilling this simplest of catches .

 

I would however like to mention the most outstanding piece of fielding seen at Esholt this year . Adam stopped the ball at mid-on, and quick as flash picked the ball up, took aim, and with unerring accuracy through down his target .Unfortunately for Adam the umpire had called over and the ball was dead, so too, nearly was his target Ben Lister .Adam had quite remarkably managed to hit Ben on the back of his head whilst aiming for the wicket.

 

Considering there was about 20 foot between the two targets it was an amazing throw . To be fair to Adam the ball did swing . And also worth a mention is Ben’s bravery in this moment of crisis, the way he captured his audience before collapsing in a noteworthy heap was worthy of any stage. For Esholt the show goes on .

 

Thanks to the author of this report who prefers to remain anonymous. Still!!!